Abstract
Senior students are subject to several demands relative to the transition from the academic to professional environment. This pressure can lead to an increase in psychological symptoms. The aim of this study was to identify the possible effects of a brief mindfulness-based intervention on depression, anxiety, and stress in senior students. Another objective was to evaluate whether there was an association between the amount of meditative practices performed by the participants and the possible effects of the intervention. The study had a pre-experimental design, with pre- and post-intervention test and comparative and correlational measures. The intervention of six weekly meetings was attended by 34 participants and held in a university located in the south of Brazil. The results revealed a significant reduction in the three dimensions analyzed, according to the DASS-21 instrument. The scores showed a significant decrease in the level of depression with a large effect size, as well as a decrease in anxiety and stress levels with medium effect sizes. No associations were found between the amount of meditative practices performed by the undergraduates and the effects of the variables. It was concluded that a brief mindfulness intervention is capable of promoting mental health in academic contexts.
Resumen
Los estudiantes de último curso están sujetos a varias exigencias relacionadas con la transición del ambiente académico al profesional. Esta presión puede dar lugar al incremento de síntomas psicológicos. El objetivo de este estudio es identificar los posibles efectos de una corta intervención a través del Mindfulness, con estudiantes de último año con depresión, ansiedad y estrés. Otro objetivo es comprobar si hay una asociación entre la cantidad de prácticas meditativas realizadas por los participantes y los posibles efectos de la intervención. Hay un diseño pre experimental con comparaciones pre y post test, así como medidas de correlación. La intervención semanal contó con seis sesiones en las que participaron 34 sujetos y se llevó a cabo en una universidad localizada en el sur de Brasil. Los resultados revelan una significante reducción de las tres dimensiones analizadas con el instrumento DASS-21. Las puntuaciones mostraron un significante decremento en el nivel de depresión con un gran tamaño del efecto, y un decremento en los niveles ansiedad y estrés con un tamaño del efecto medio. No se encontraron asociaciones entre la cantidad de prácticas meditativas realizadas por los estudiantes de licenciatura y los efectos de las variables. Con ello se concluye que una corta intervención en Mindfulness puede promover la salud mental en contextos académicos.
Resumo
O universitário concluinte está sujeito a diversas demandas relacionadas com a transição do meio acadêmico para o mundo profissional. Esta pressão pode levar um aumento nos sintomas psicológicos. O objetivo deste estudo é identificar os possíveis efeitos de uma breve intervenção baseada em mindfulness sobre depressão, ansiedade e estresse em universitários concluintes. Outro objetivo é verificar se existe associação entre o número de práticas meditativas realizadas pelos participantes com os possíveis efeitos da intervenção. Trata-se de uma pesquisa quantitativa de delineamento pré-experimental, com medida pré e pós-teste, comparativa e correlacional. A intervenção semanal teve seis encontros com 34 participantes de uma universidade localizada no sul do Brasil. Os resultados revelaram uma redução significativa nas três dimensões analisadas através do instrumento DASS-21. Os escores apresentaram uma diminuição significativa no nível de depressão com um tamanho de efeito grande e uma diminuição dos níveis de ansiedade e de estresse com tamanhos de efeito médios. Não foram encontradas associações significativas entre o número de práticas meditativas com os efeitos das variáveis. Conclui-se que um programa breve de mindfulness é uma ferramenta capaz de promover saúde mental em contextos acadêmicos.
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Chiodelli, R., de Mello, L.T.N., de Jesus, S.N. et al. Effects of a Brief Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Senior Students. Trends in Psychol. 28, 529–545 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43076-020-00034-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43076-020-00034-2
Keywords
- Brief mindfulness-based intervention
- Senior student
- Depression, anxiety, and stress
- Amount of meditative practices
Palabras-clave
- Intervención breve de Mindfulness
- Universitario Concluyente
- Depresión, Ansiedad y estrés
- Número de Prácticas Meditativas