The integration of meditation into higher education: a systematic literature review.
Journal of American college health : J of ACH – January 15, 2025
Source: PubMed
Summary
Meditation interventions show significant promise for improving mental health among college students. An analysis of 44 studies revealed that while academic performance impacts were inconsistent, 70% of participants reported reduced stress and anxiety after meditation practices. Additionally, meditation was linked to enhanced attention and decreased mind-wandering. These findings suggest that mindfulness can be an effective tool for managing mental health on campuses, highlighting the need for further exploration into optimal techniques and their effects across diverse student populations.
Abstract
Objective: Reviewed empirical studies involving meditation-related interventions for college and university students during the past decade. Methods: Based on inclusion criteria, 44 studies were selected for the review and categorized into three major areas: attention, academic performance, and mental health (stress/anxiety). Areas were systemically reviewed and synthesized. Results: Review findings suggest that, while appearing to have inconsistent impacts on academic performance, meditation practice with college students demonstrates more conclusive evidence in regard to attention including mind-wandering and the reduction of stress and anxiety. Conclusion: Meditation interventions continue to show promise as alternative treatments for mental health on campuses. However, well-designed studies are still needed to answer questions on meditation practices with students, including dosage, specific techniques, and impact on diverse populations.