The Adaptation and Evaluation of a Pilot Mindfulness Intervention Promoting Mental Health in Student Athletes

in Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology

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Audrey G. Evers Icahn School of Medicine

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Jessica A Somogie Tufts University

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Ian L. Wong Tufts University

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Jennifer D. Allen Tufts University

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Adolfo G. Cuevas Tufts University

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.2019-0083
Keywords:
meditation; mindfulness-based interventions; stress management; student athlete well-being
First Published Online:
18 Nov 2020
In Print:
Volume 15: Issue 3
Page Range:
206–226
Restricted access

The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a pilot mindfulness program for student athletes by assessing mental health, mindfulness ability, and perceived stress before and after the intervention. The mindfulness program was adapted from a program developed at the University of Southern California. The four-session intervention taught the basics of mindfulness, self-care skills, and guided meditations. Participants completed surveys before and after the intervention. Mindfulness ability was assessed with the Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale, mental health was assessed with a modified Short Form Health Survey, and stress was assessed with the Perceived Stress Scale. After the intervention, participants reported improvement in mindfulness ability, t(28) = −2.61, p = .014, mental health, t(28)  = −2.87, p = .008, and a trending improvement in perceived stress, t(28)  = 1.86, p = .073. A short mindfulness program may be effective for improving mental health and mindfulness ability in collegiate student athletes.

Evers is with the Depression and Anxiety Center for Discovery and Treatment, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. Somogie is with the Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study and Human Development, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA. Wong is with the Department of Health Promotion and Prevention, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA. Allen and Cuevas are with the Department of Community Health, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA.

Evers (audreygevers@gmail.com) is corresponding author.
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