Citation

Ko CM, Grace F, Chavez GN, Grimleya SJ, Dalrymple ER, Olson LE. J. Am. Coll. Health 2018; 66(7): 537-545.

Affiliation

c Department of Biology , University of Redlands , Redlands , CA , USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07448481.2018.1431913

PMID

29405863

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to have psychological benefits in college students. We explored the effects of an academic seminar on compassion on student psychological health. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-one participants (14 male, 27 female, mean age 19.8 ±1.4 years) were assessed pre- and post- spring semesters 2013 and 2014.

METHODS: Students were randomized to the seminar on compassion or a wait-list control group. Participants completed self-report measures on anxiety, depression, perceived stress, self-compassion, compassion and mindfulness. Salivary alpha-amylase was also assessed.

RESULTS: At baseline, self-compassion and mindfulness were negatively correlated with depression, anxiety, and perceived stress. There were significant changes between the intervention and control group from Time 1 to Time 2 in mindfulness, self-compassion, compassion, and salivary alpha-amylase; however, there were no significant changes in depression, anxiety and perceived stress.

CONCLUSIONS: The course was effective in increasing mindfulness, self-compassion and compassion, and decreasing a salivary marker of stress.

Language: en

Keywords

Experimental Design mindfulness; anxiety; college students; compassion; depression; perceived stress; salivary alpha-amylase; self-compassion