The efficacy of mindfulness based interventions in mitigating stress and fostering enhanced mindfulness among higher education students

AI Summary

Eight-week MBSR significantly reduced perceived stress among students compared with control (p = 0.038), indicating effective short-term stress mitigation.
MBSR produced substantial improvements across FFMQ facets observing, describing, acting with awareness, nonjudging and nonreactivity (p < 0.001), with large effect sizes.
Mindfulness programmes are accessible, noninvasive strategies for student mental health; cultural adaptations such as yoga and integration into services are recommended.

J Gen Psychol. 2026 Jun 25:1-18. doi: 10.1080/00221309.2026.2687382. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Higher education students face unique stressors, including academic pressure, social challenges, and life transitions. These stressors can affect their mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being. Research has shown that high levels of stress can lead to anxiety, depression, poor sleep quality, and decreased academic motivation. This study investigates the effectiveness of an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) among students at the University of Hyderabad, India. Using an experimental research design, 50 students were randomly assigned to either an experimental group, which participated in weekly MBSR sessions supplemented with daily at-home practices, or a control group that received no intervention. Stress levels and mindfulness were assessed pre- and post-test-intervention using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). The findings revealed a significant reduction in stress levels (p = 0.038) and substantial improvements in mindfulness dimensions, including observing, describing, acting with awareness, nonjudging, and nonreactivity, among the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Large effect sizes highlighted the intervention’s effectiveness in promoting mindfulness, self-awareness, and stress management. This research highlights the potential of mindfulness-based programs as accessible, noninvasive strategies to enhance students’ mental health and academic performance. The study suggested that for integrating mindfulness practices into student support services and curricula, it is helpful to emphasiz cultural adaptations such as yoga to increase engagement and acceptance. Future research should explore the long-term effects of mindfulness interventions on academic outcomes and overall life satisfaction, contributing to sustainable mental health solutions in higher education.

PMID:42345251 | DOI:10.1080/00221309.2026.2687382

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