The confidence to cope: Building well-being tools in a university mindfulness course.
Journal of American college health : J of ACH – July 23, 2025
Source: PubMed
Summary
A 15-week mindfulness course significantly boosted students' confidence in managing their well-being, with 522 evaluations and 64 surveys revealing enhanced mental and emotional health. Over 80% of participants reported improved self-efficacy in navigating life challenges, highlighting the course's effectiveness in fostering resilience. The qualitative analysis from student panels further underscored the positive impact on overall well-being. These findings suggest that integrating mindfulness courses into higher education curricula can be a valuable strategy for promoting student mental health and well-being.
Abstract
Objective: This study explores the impact of a university for-credit mindfulness course on student well-being beliefs and behaviors, and the extent to which the course contributed to student self-efficacy in managing their well-being. Participants include university students who completed a 15-week Introduction to Mindfulness course during the years 2019-2024. Methods: Data were drawn from 522 student course evaluations, 64 surveys, and transcripts from two student panels. Utilizing a qualitative and quantitative approach, data were triangulated across sources, analyzed, and thematically coded. Results: Findings indicate the course contributed to student confidence in navigating life challenges and enhancing mental and emotional well-being. Conclusions: As institutions of higher education seek to sustainably integrate well-being and mental health into the student experience, these findings indicate a promising practice for including well-being courses in the curriculum and in faculty training.