The Impact of Mindfulness Meditation on Stress Reduction among College Students
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Grand Canyon University *
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550
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Arts Humanities
Date
Jan 9, 2024
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docx
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4
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The Impact of Mindfulness Meditation on Stress Reduction among College Students
Tyria Foster
College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Grand Canyon University
PSY-550: Research Methods
Janina Jeff
November 8, 2023
2
The Impact of Mindfulness Meditation on Stress Reduction among College Students
1.
Background
a.
College life is often associated with high levels of stress due to academic demands, social pressures, and personal responsibilities. As such, it becomes crucial to explore effective methods for stress reduction among college students. One promising approach is mindfulness meditation, which involves the cultivation of present-moment awareness and non-
judgmental acceptance of thoughts, feelings, and sensations. This research aims to examine the impact of mindfulness meditation on stress reduction among college students.
Numerous studies have shown that mindfulness meditation interventions can reduce psychological distress and enhance well-being in various populations (Keng et al., 2011; Sharma et al., 2020). Furthermore, several investigations specifically focusing on college students have reported positive effects of mindfulness practices on stress reduction (Bamber & Schneider, 2016; Zhang et al., 2019). However, there remains a need for further investigation into the specific mechanisms through which mindfulness meditation influences stress levels in this particular population.
2.
Hypothesis
a.
It is hypothesized that participation in a mindfulness meditation program will lead to a significant reduction in perceived stress levels among college students. This hypothesis is based on the assumption that consistent practice of mindfulness techniques enhances self-regulation skills by promoting greater attentional control and emotional regulation capabilities (Hölzel et al., 2011).
3.
Methods
a.
This study will employ a randomized controlled design to investigate the impact of an eight-week mindfulness meditation intervention on stress reduction among college students. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving the mindfulness intervention or a
control group receiving no intervention.
4.
Participants
a.
The participants in this study will consist of undergraduate college students aged between 18-25 years from diverse academic disciplines. A sample size estimation will be conducted based on previous studies investigating similar research questions to ensure adequate statistical power.
5.
Instruments/Materials
a.
To measure perceived stress levels, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) will be utilized. This widely-used self-report questionnaire assesses individuals' subjective perception of stress in various life situations (Cohen et al., 1983). Additionally, participants' mindfulness skills will be
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assessed using the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), which measures different aspects of mindfulness, including observing, describing, acting with awareness, non-judging of inner experience, and non-reactivity to inner experience (Baer et al., 2006).
6.
Conclusion
a.
By investigating the impact of mindfulness meditation on stress reduction among college students, this research seeks to provide valuable insights into effective strategies for promoting well-being in this population. By utilizing rigorous methods and standardized instruments, this study aims to
contribute to the growing body of literature on mindfulness-based interventions and their potential benefits for college students' mental health.
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References
Bamber, M. D., & Schneider, J. K. (2016). Mindfulness-based meditation to decrease stress and anxiety in college students: A narrative synthesis of the research. Educational Psychology
Review, 28(1), 1-29.
Baer, R. A., Smith, G. T., Hopkins, J., Krietemeyer, J., & Toney, L. (2006). Using self-report assessment methods to explore facets of mindfulness. Assessment, 13(1), 27-45.
Cohen, S., Kamarck, T., & Mermelstein, R. (1983). A global measure of perceived stress. Journal
of Health and Social Behavior, 24(4), 385-396.
Hölzel, B.K., Lazar,S.W., Gard,T., Schuman-Olivier,Z., Vago,D.R.& Ott,U.(2011). How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 6(6), 537–559.
Keng, S. L., Smoski, M. J., & Robins, C. J. (2011). Effects of mindfulness on psychological health: A review of empirical studies. Clinical Psychology Review, 31(6), 1041-1056.
Sharma, N., Chakrabarti, S., Grover, S., & Bagchi, D. (2020). Impact of mindfulness-based interventions on aggression in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mindfulness, 11(2), 297-317.
Zhang, Q., Zhao, H., Wang, Y., Liang, X., Wang, Z., & Liang, C. (2019). Effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on symptom variables and health-related quality of life in breast cancer patients—A systematic review and meta-analysis. Supportive Care in Cancer, 27(3), 771-781.