An Effectiveness Study of a Digital Mindfulness-Based Program for Upper Secondary Education Students

Abstract

Objectives Mindfulness-based programs/interventions (MBPs) are emerging as treatments for anxiety and stress for adults and adolescents. MBPs can also be helpful as universal interventions for healthy subjects. Few studies have looked at how beneficial MBP effects transfer to digital MBPs. Methods The study was a randomized controlled trial with 1349 participants aged mostly 16–19. We compared a digital MBP vs. a waitlist condition. Online questionnaire data were collected pre-program, post-program, and at 3-month follow-up. Results Completing the MBP resulted in a small-to-moderate reduction in anxiety (F1,681 = 13.71, p < .01, d = .26), a small reduction in depression (F1,686 = 8.54, p < .01, d = .15), and a small increase in psychological quality of life (F1,708 = 3.94, p = .05, d = .16). Attrition rate for the MBP was 41.5%. Conclusions The results suggest that digital MBPs can be successful in delivering at least some of the benefits characteristic of face-to-face MBPs.

Are online mental health interventions for youth effective? A systematic review

“…The most frequently assessed mental health outcomes were depression or depressive symptoms ( n = 38; 84%), anxiety-related symptoms ( n = 33; 73%), psychological stress level (n = 14, 40%). Several studies also investigated mental health outcomes relating to mental health wellbeing, 13,20,25,32,44,45 quality of life, 32,36,37,46 life satisfaction, 21,44 psychological distress, 16,25,37,45 insomnia 47 and sleep quality. 43…”

“…Web-based self-help platforms were the most frequently used online format ( n = 35). 14,20,25–27,29,30,33,34,36,37,39,40,42–44,46–55 A total of 24 studies were effective in managing mental health issues whilst other 11 were found to be not effective.…”

“…Four studies 14,31,43,46 tested the effectiveness of web-based programs among young people. One study did not report the efficacy due to the low retention rate.…”

“…One study did not report the efficacy due to the low retention rate. 43 The other three mindfulness web-based interventions 14,31,46 showed efficacies in reducing perceived stress, anxiety, depression 14,31,46 and improving quality of life. 46…”

The effects of app-based mindfulness practice on the well-being of university students and staff

“…Second, the sex balance in the sample was lopsided with more than five times more females than males. This is a common finding in volunteerbased mindfulness studies, as females appear to volunteer more often than males to mindfulness studies (e.g., Lahtinen & Salmivalli, 2020). Using a sample of volunteers is also a limitation, as there may be a reason to self-select, which leads to bias.…”