Effects of mindfulness‐based interventions on psychological outcomes in college and university students during COVID‐19 pandemics: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

Objective We synthesized the effects of mindfulness‐based interventions (MBIs) on psychological outcomes in college and university students during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Method Ten electronic databases were searched from inception to December 2021. We reviewed studies with college and university students receiving MBIs with psychological outcomes. We only reviewed studies written in English. A random‐effects model was used to compute the effect size. Results Overall, MBIs showed a significantly moderate improvement in anxiety (g = 0.612, 95% CI: 0.288−0.936, I2 = 77%); depression (g = 0.372, 95% CI: 0.032−0.713, I2 = 72%); and mindfulness (g = 0.392, 95% CI:0.102−0.695, I2 = 64%) compared with control groups, while these interventions had a small effect in reducing stress, but not a significant one (g = 0.295, 95% CI: −0.088 to 0.676, I2 = 77%) compared with control groups. Conclusion MBIs significantly improved psychological outcomes among college and university students during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Clinicians and health providers should consider using MBIs as alternative complementary treatment for improving and preventing anxiety and depression in college and university students during COVID‐19. Clinical Relevance The use of MBIs for college and university students is an effective method to decrease anxiety, depressive symptoms, and increase mindfulness. MBIs would become a very useful means of alternative complementary treatment in mental health and clinical psychiatry

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