Mindfulness-Based College: A Stage 1 Randomized Controlled Trial for University Student Well-Being.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effects of a mindfulness-based program (MB-College) on young adults' health summary scores and self-regulation mechanisms.
Results Summary
MB-College participants showed improved health summary scores and reduced loneliness compared to controls, with significant impacts on self-regulation mechanisms like attention control and interoceptive awareness.
Population
Young adults aged 18-29 years (mean age 20, 68% female, 37% racial minorities) from three universities.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
9 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mindfulness-Based College (MB-College) program | increase | young adult health summary score | students from three universities (mean age = 20 years, 68% female, 37% racial minorities) | marginal effect for MB-College versus control = 0.23 | demonstrated improved | #1 |
Mindfulness-Based College (MB-College) program | decrease | loneliness | students from three universities (mean age = 20 years, 68% female, 37% racial minorities) | marginal effect = -3.11 for the Revised University of Los Angeles Loneliness Scale score | pronounced effects on | #2 |
Mindfulness-Based College (MB-College) program | increase | Sustained Attention to Response Task correct no-go percent | students from three universities (mean age = 20 years, 68% female, 37% racial minorities) | - | significant impacts on | #3 |
Mindfulness-Based College (MB-College) program | increase | Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness | students from three universities (mean age = 20 years, 68% female, 37% racial minorities) | - | significant impacts on | #4 |
Mindfulness-Based College (MB-College) program | decrease | Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale | students from three universities (mean age = 20 years, 68% female, 37% racial minorities) | - | significant impacts on | #5 |
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effects of a mindfulness-based program, adapted to the young adult life course stage (age, 18-29 years), named Mindfulness-Based College (MB-College). The primary outcome was a young adult health summary score, composed of key health risk factors: body mass index, physical activity, fruit and vegetable intake, alcohol consumption, stress, loneliness, and sleep duration. Secondary outcomes were hypothesized self-regulation mechanisms, including attention control, interoceptive awareness, and emotion regulation. METHODS: This was a stage 1 randomized controlled trial of the 9-week MB-College program (n = 47) versus enhanced usual care control (n = 49) including students from three universities. Assessments were at baseline, during the beginning of the college term when stress is typically lower, and at MB-College completion (3-month follow-up), when term-related stress is typically higher. Intention-to-treat, linear regression analyses estimated the marginal effects of MB-College versus control on the outcomes. RESULTS: MB-College participants (mean age = 20 years, 68% female, 37% racial minorities) demonstrated improved health summary scores at follow-up compared with control participants whose health summary scores worsened (marginal effect for MB-College versus control = 0.23; p = .004). Effects on loneliness were pronounced (marginal effect = -3.11 for the Revised University of Los Angeles Loneliness Scale score; p = .03). Secondary analyses showed significant impacts of MB-College on hypothesized self-regulation mechanisms (e.g., Sustained Attention to Response Task correct no-go percent, p = .0008; Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness, p < .0001; Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale, p = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this early stage clinical trial suggest that MB-College may foster well-being in young adults.Trial Registration: NCT03124446.