An Online Mindfulness Intervention for International Students: A Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial.
Clinical psychology in Europe June 1, 2023 Sumeyye Balci, Ann-Marie Küchler, David Daniel Ebert et al. 15 citations
International students experience more stress than local peers but rarely seek help due to stigma, language barriers, and lack of information. A culturally adapted online mindfulness intervention (StudiCareM-E) was tested in a randomized feasibility trial with 40 international university students. Half received the intervention, half were on a waitlist. After eight weeks, the intervention group showed significant improvements in mindfulness, well-being, and anxiety compared to the waitlist group. No serious negative effects occurred, but dropout was high: 35% assessment dropout and 60% intervention dropout. Participant feedback suggested content improvements. The adapted intervention may help diverse international students, but future studies should carefully assess adaptation needs.