Cited by 51Mindfulness and Compassion InterventionsDigital Mental Health InterventionsStudent Stress and Coping

A systematic review and meta-analysis of online mindfulness-based interventions for university students: an examination of psychological distress and well-being, and attrition rates

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Alrashdi, Duaa H., Chen, Kayla K., Meyer, Carly, Gould, Rebecca L.·2023·Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science

Abstract

Abstract There are increasing concerns about university students’ mental health with mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) showing promising results. The effect of MBIs delivered digitally to a broad range of university students and study attrition rates remain unclear. This review aimed to explore the effectiveness of online MBIs on university students’ mental health, academic performance and attrition rate of online MBIs. Four databases were searched; both randomised and non-randomised controlled trials were included. Outcomes included mental health-related outcomes and academic performance. Twenty-six studies were identified with outcomes related to mental health. When compared with non-active controls, small to medium statistically significant effect sizes in favour of online MBIs were found for depression, stress, anxiety, psychological distress and psychological well-being at post-intervention. However, these benefits were not seen when online MBIs were compared to active controls and other treatments at post-intervention or follow-up. University students in online MBI arms were more likely to drop out compared to non-active controls and active controls, but no differences were found compared to other treatments. Generally, the included studies’ risk of bias was moderate to high. Online MBIs appear beneficial for improving university students’ mental health when compared to non-active controls post-intervention, but not active controls or other treatments. Findings related to active controls and other treatments should be interpreted with caution due to the small number of studies, the small number of participants in included studies and the degree of heterogeneity in effect sizes.

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  1. Ahmad, F., El Morr, C., Ritvo, P., Othman, N., & Moineddin, R. (2020). An eight-week, web-based mindfulness virtual commu- nity intervention for students' mental health: Randomized con- trolled trial. JMIR Mental Health, 7(2), e15520.
  2. Cochrane Collaboration. (2020). Review Manager (RevMan) [Com- puter program] (5.4). The Cochrane Collaboration.

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Authors
Alrashdi, D. H., Chen, K. K., Meyer, C., & Gould, R. L.
Affiliations
  • Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (SA)
  • University College London (GB)
Corresponding author
Alrashdi, Duaa H.
Venue
Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science
Published
2023-05-25
Volume
9
Issue
2
Pages
211-223
ISSN
2366-5963 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4378191807
Cited by
50
References
64
Citations by year
2026: 22 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 2
FWCI
2.55
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Student Stress and Coping
Keywords
mindfulness-based interventions, online intervention, university students, student mental health, psychological distress, psychological well-being, depression, anxiety, stress, attrition rates, academic performance, digital mental health

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