Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Physical and Psychological Well-Being of Young Adults

Abstract

Mindfulness-based Interventions have expanded beyond the health care field over the past 30 years into numerous social and occupational contexts, although their underlying mechanisms are not so clear. The aim of this controlled trial was to examine the effects of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention on physical and psychological health in young adults. Eight sessions of MBSR intervention were applied in the experimental group (n = 38), while no interventions were used in the control group (n = 40). To evaluate the effects of MBSR intervention, participants completed the Psychological General Well-Being Index, the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test and the Postural Awareness Scale, the Mindfulness Attention and Awareness Questionnaire, the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire before the intervention (T0), after the intervention (T1) and after 3 months from the end of the intervention (T2). The authors developed an ad hoc questionnaire to monitor the subjects’ mindfulness practice in the 3 months following the end of the mindfulness program. Independent and paired t-tests to analyze differences between and within groups were carried out, and correlation analyses were performed between the questionnaires’ scores and the degree of self-practice of the MBSR group participants. Results showed significant improvement in sleep quality, psychological distress, physical symptoms, and postural control awareness in the MBSR group compared with the control group. Some effects were maintained at follow-up. In particular, postural awareness significantly correlated with the frequency of self-practice of the MBSR protocol. This suggests the MBSR intervention can positively impact young adults’ stress-related symptoms and psychophysical health.