| Description |
The current study evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of an adaptation of the Mindful Schools Curriculum for Adolescents in an after school setting. This study is the first to evaluate feasibility and effectiveness of the Mindful Schools curriculum for a nonclinical, community-referred adolescent population. Recruitment was done in a local school district and surrounding community between December 2015 and March 2016. The current adaptation, Just Breathe: Teens Learning to Live Mindfully with Stress and Drama (R.O. Levitt, personal communication, November 10, 2015) was delivered in a group format for two groups over a six-week period where 3 of the 18 Mindful Schools lessons were combined each week. Feasibility data were collected to examine demand, acceptability, and treatment adherence. Overall there was a 64% treatment completion rate. Treatment adherence (i.e., the components actually completed each week by the group leaders) was 100% for both groups. Following completion of all lessons and study components, treatment acceptability was evaluated. Sixty-four percent of participants reported that they would recommend the adaptation to other teens dealing with stress. Pre- and posttest measures of stress and depression were administered. Data demonstrated a significant decrease in participants' stress from the time preintervention measures were given and postintervention measures completed [t(20) = 2.79, p < .05]. No significant treatment effects were found for depression [t(20) = 1.71, p >.05]. Weekly iv measures were analyzed for pre- to posttreatment effects as well as with repeated measures. Results indicated a significant increase in participants' well-being from pre- to posttreatment [t(19) = -2.82, p < .05] and significant changes over the course of the intervention on weekly well-being scores [F(5,40) = 3.83, p <.05]. Weekly ratings of participants' mindfulness also showed significant change from pre- to posttreatment [t(19) = -3.68, p < .05] and significant changes over the course of the intervention [F(5,40) = 4.428, p < .05]. There was no significant change in practice quality. Potential reasons for this finding are discussed. Further research is needed in order to draw firmer conclusions, including research that includes more participants and takes into account group factors, specifically intragroup correlation (IGC). |
