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Mindfulness Meditation Adherence in a College Sample: Comparison of a 10-Min Versus 20-Min 2-Week Daily Practice

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Abstract

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are efficacious and effective for a variety of mental and physical health problems. Mindfulness meditation is a primary therapeutic strategy employed within MBIs and is hypothesized to increase mindfulness and, in turn, lead to positive outcomes. However, evidence in support of mindfulness meditation practice as a key treatment component in MBIs is mixed, in part because little is known about how prescribed meditation practice times and adherence to home-based meditation practice relate to one another and outcomes. The present study evaluated relations among adherence, meditation practice time, and psychiatric symptoms following two 2-week mindfulness meditation interventions: one that prescribed 10-min daily meditation and another that prescribed 20-min daily meditation. Participants (N = 77; female = 56, M age  = 20.16; White = 51.9%; African American = 14.3%; Hispanic = 14.3%; Asian = 10.4%; other = 6.5%; multiethnic = 2.6%) also completed daily diaries to assess adherence. Results indicated no significant group difference in total days meditated or overall time spent meditating. Stress declined and mindfulness increased over the 2 weeks for both groups. Despite no difference in adherence, participants in the 20-min group reported larger increases in self-compassion relative to those in the 10-min group. Implications for enhancing adherence within MBIs are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, The University of Toledo, 2801 West Bancroft Street, Toledo, OH, 43606, USA

    Christopher R. Berghoff

  2. Department of Psychology, Jackson State University, 1400 John R. Lynch Street, Jackson, MS, 39217, USA

    Linnie E. Wheeless

  3. Department of Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY, 12222, USA

    Timothy R. Ritzert & John P. Forsyth

  4. St. Louis University Hospital, 3635 Vista Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA

    Cody M. Wooley

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  1. Christopher R. Berghoff
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  2. Linnie E. Wheeless
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  3. Timothy R. Ritzert
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  4. Cody M. Wooley
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  5. John P. Forsyth
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Correspondence to Christopher R. Berghoff.

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Berghoff, C.R., Wheeless, L.E., Ritzert, T.R. et al. Mindfulness Meditation Adherence in a College Sample: Comparison of a 10-Min Versus 20-Min 2-Week Daily Practice. Mindfulness 8, 1513–1521 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-017-0717-y

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