Benefits of a Technology-Delivered Mindfulness Intervention for Psychological Distress and Positive Wellbeing in Depressed College Students: Post-Intervention and Follow-Up Effects from an RCT

The rate of depression among college students has increased significantly, reducing vitality and ability to flourish. Mindfulness interventions delivered via technological platforms offer great promise for reducing depression symptoms and supporting positive wellbeing outcomes for college students. The present study aimed to understand the broader positive wellbeing outcomes that accompany a reduction in psychological distress following use of a technology-delivered mindfulness intervention.

Using a randomized controlled treatment design, this study evaluated the benefits of a mindfulness-based mobile application (app), Headspace, on various aspects of wellbeing in depressed college students. Students (n = 145) were randomly assigned to 2 months of app-based intervention or to a waitlist control. Participants completed self-report surveys assessing mental health and wellbeing at pre-intervention, midpoint (1 month), post-intervention (2 months), and follow-up (3 months).

Using intent-to-treat analysis, those randomized to use the app, compared to those on the waitlist, demonstrated a reduction in depression symptoms, and in other indicators of psychological distress (e.g., anxiety, stress, negative affect), over time. Self-reported positive wellbeing outcomes included an increase in positive affect and happiness, enhanced capacity to savor the moment, enhanced compassion, self-regulation, and trait mindfulness. These statistically significant benefits were medium to large in size and lasted into the 1-month follow-up period. Further, students’ patterns of app use point to the critical gap that evidence-based technology-delivered interventions can fill.

Building on previous research, the present study illustrated that a technology-delivered mindfulness intervention comprehensively improved aspects of psychological distress and positive wellbeing in a sustained manner in college students.

This study was registered at OSF, https://osf.io/3trzk.