Mindfulness-based interventions in secondary education: a qualitative systematic review / Intervenciones basadas en mindfulness en educación secundaria: una revisión sistemática cualitativa
Open accessAbstract
In order to study the effects of mindfulness meditation interventions administered to adolescents within their educational institutions, a qualitative systematic review was conducted. Sixteen studies published in main databases were analysed. The results show that mindfulness, as a prevention strategy in educational contexts, resulted in significant changes in the followings variables: (a) psychological (e.g., reduction in depressive symptoms); (b) psychosocial (e.g., increased social skills); and (c) physiological (e.g., improvement of blood pressure). Although the results were conclusive, their interpretation and generalization should be carefully analysed as there were no medium- and long-term follow-up evaluations, in addition to the fact that there has been a minimal assessment of the psychological mechanisms involved in the change processes.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
A systematic review of mindfulness interventions in school context reports positive effects on emotional variables in adolescents of both sexes, but notes methodological limitations such as homogeneous samples that should be controlled in future studies.
“una revisión sistemática de intervenciones que implementaron mindfulness en contexto escolar, dan cuenta de efectos positivos sobre variables emocionales en adolescentes de ambos sexos, sin embargo, existen ciertas limitaciones metodológicas como el uso de muestras homogéneas que se deben controlar en futuros estudios 14 .”
From Mindfulness y promoción de la salud mental en adolescentes: efectos de una intervención en el contexto educativo (2017) · cites this paper as [14]
The sample size was relatively small and an active control group would have been the ideal design for this type of study.
“el tamaño de la muestra fue relativamente pequeño y el uso de un grupo control activo habría sido el diseño ideal a utilizar en este tipo de estudios 14 .”
From Mindfulness y promoción de la salud mental en adolescentes: efectos de una intervención en el contexto educativo (2017) · cites this paper as [14]
Cites
(2008) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 7,477 · see citing works
Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: a conceptual and empirical review
Baer, R. A. (2003) · Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice · doi:10.1093/clipsy.bpg015 · Cited by 4,577 · see citing works
The effect of mindfulness based therapy on anxiety and depression: A meta analytic review
Hofmann, S. G., Sawyer, A. T., Witt, A. A., & Oh, D. (2010) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0018555 · Cited by 3,846 · see citing works
(2005) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 3,197 · see citing works
Wherever you go, there you are: Mindfulness meditation in everyday life
Kwee, M. G. T. (1995) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/0005-7967(95)90133-7 · Cited by 2,900 · see citing works
Mindfulness training modifies subsystems of attention
JHA, A. P., KROMPINGER, J., & BAIME, M. J. (2007) · Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience · doi:10.3758/cabn.7.2.109 · Cited by 1,580 · see citing works
Urrútia, G., & Bonfill, X. (2010) · Medicina Clínica · doi:10.1016/j.medcli.2010.01.015 · Cited by 1,370 · see citing works
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression
TEASDALE, J. D. (2006) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9780203098899-33 · Cited by 1,331 · see citing works
Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition
(2005) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.42-6797 · Cited by 1,273 · see citing works
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression
Segal, Z. V. (2023) · PsycTHERAPY Dataset · doi:10.1037/v00751-001 · Cited by 1,043 · see citing works
Ludwig, D. S. (2008) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.300.11.1350 · Cited by 957 · see citing works
(2014) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.51-3535 · Cited by 763 · see citing works
Burke, C. A. (2010) · Journal of Child and Family Studies · doi:10.1007/s10826-009-9282-x · Cited by 730 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Although the vast majority of studies have been conducted on adults, many publications suggest that mindfulness-based approaches for children and adolescents, both in populations made up of patients and for healthy populations (Burke, 2009), are feasible and accepted.”
BackgroundMindfulness Meditation Training in Adults and Adolescents With ADHD: A Feasibility Study
Zylowska, L., Ackerman, D. L., Yang, M. H., Futrell, J. L., Horton, N. L., Hale, T. S., Pataki, C., & Smalley, S. L. (2008) · Journal of Attention Disorders · doi:10.1177/1087054707308502 · Cited by 674 · see citing works
Mindfulness-based treatment approaches : clinician's guide to evidence base and applications
Baer, R. A. (2006) · Cited by 535 · see citing works
Nyklíček, I., & Kuijpers, K. F. (2008) · Annals of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1007/s12160-008-9030-2 · Cited by 532 · see citing works
Beauchemin, J., Hutchins, T. L., & Patterson, F. (2008) · Complementary health practice review · doi:10.1177/1533210107311624 · Cited by 438 · see citing works
Mindfulness training for adolescents with externalizing disorders and their parents
Bögels, S., Hoogstad, B., van Dun, L., de Schutter, S., & Restifo, K. (2008) · Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy · doi:10.1017/s1352465808004190 · Cited by 432 · see citing works
Effectiveness of the Mindfulness in Schools Programme: non-randomised controlled feasibility study
Kuyken, W., Weare, K., Ukoumunne, O. C., Vicary, R., Motton, N., Burnett, R., Cullen, C., Hennelly, S., & Huppert, F. (2013) · British Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.113.126649 · Cited by 427 · see citing works
Learning to BREATHE: A Pilot Trial of a Mindfulness Curriculum for Adolescents
Broderick, P. C., & Metz, S. (2009) · Advances in School Mental Health Promotion · doi:10.1080/1754730x.2009.9715696 · Cited by 409 · cited 4× · see citing works
“This would require research being conducted into the skills teachers need to administer the programme in classes (Broderick & Metz, 2009) and adapting meditation programmes to an educational context, with clear objectives for these populations and for the courses to be developed (Franco, de la…”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialHuppert, F. A., & Johnson, D. M. (2010) · The Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439761003794148 · Cited by 396 · see citing works
The Effectiveness of the Learning to BREATHE Program on Adolescent Emotion Regulation
Metz, S. M., Frank, J. L., Reibel, D., Cantrell, T., Sanders, R., & Broderick, P. C. (2013) · Research in Human Development · doi:10.1080/15427609.2013.818488 · Cited by 269 · see citing works
Raes, F., Griffith, J. W., Van der Gucht, K., & Williams, J. M. G. (2014) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-013-0202-1 · Cited by 204 · see citing works
Evaluation of a School-Based Intervention for Adolescent Sleep Problems
Moseley, L., & Gradisar, M. (2009) · SLEEP · doi:10.1093/sleep/32.3.334 · Cited by 197 · see citing works
Adolescents With Conduct Disorder Can Be Mindful of Their Aggressive Behavior
Singh, N. N., Lancioni, G. E., Joy, S. D. S., Winton, A. S. W., Sabaawi, M., Wahler, R. G., & Singh, J. (2007) · Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders · doi:10.1177/10634266070150010601 · Cited by 195 · see citing works
Impact of Meditation on Resting and Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Heart Rate in Youth
Barnes, V. A., Davis, H., Murzynowski, J. B., & Treiber, F. A. (2004) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/01.psy.0000145902.91749.35 · Cited by 143 · see citing works
Venegas, J. (2008) · Cited by 138 · see citing works
Socio-emotional well-being and academic achievement: evidence from a multilevel approach
Berger, C., Alcalay, L., Torretti, A., & Milicic, N. (2011) · Psicologia Reflexão e Crítica · doi:10.1590/s0102-79722011000200016 · Cited by 128 · see citing works
Wisner, B. L., Jones, B., & Gwin, D. (2010) · Children & Schools · doi:10.1093/cs/32.3.150 · Cited by 120 · see citing works
Bei, B., Byrne, M. L., Ivens, C., Waloszek, J. M., Woods, M. J., Dudgeon, P., Murray, G., Nicholas, C. L., Trinder, J. C., & Allen, N. B. (2012) · Early Intervention in Psychiatry · doi:10.1111/j.1751-7893.2012.00382.x · Cited by 117 · see citing works
Chaskalson, M., & McMordie, M. (2017) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9781315697307-8 · Cited by 117 · see citing works
Lau, N.-S., & Hue, M.-T. (2011) · International Journal of Children's Spirituality · doi:10.1080/1364436x.2011.639747 · Cited by 115 · see citing works
Applying Mindfulness Therapy in a Group of Psychotic Individuals: A Controlled Study
Langer, Á. I., Cangas, A. J., Salcedo, E., & Fuentes, B. (2012) · Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy · doi:10.1017/s1352465811000464 · Cited by 86 · see citing works
Self-citationBarnes, V. A., Pendergrast, R. A., Harshfield, G. A., & Treiber, F. A. (2008) · PubMed · doi:10.13016/6nuo-ktvn · Cited by 81 · see citing works
Exploring the Effects of a Mindfulness Program for Students of Secondary School
Franco, C., Mañas, I., Cangas, A. J., & Gallego, J. (2011) · International Journal of Knowledge Society Research · doi:10.4018/jksr.2011010102 · Cited by 69 · see citing works
Self-citationWright, L. B., Gregoski, M. J., Tingen, M. S., Barnes, V. A., & Treiber, F. A. (2010) · Journal of Black Psychology · doi:10.1177/0095798410380203 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
[Effects of a meditation program (mindfulness) on the measure of alexithymia and social skills].
Arias, M. D. L. F., Justo, C. F., & Granados, M. S. (2010) · PubMed · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Justo, C. F., Arias, M. D. L. F., & Granados, M. S. (2011) · PubMed · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Justo, C. F. (2009) · Suma Psicológica · doi:10.14349/sumapsi2009.94 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Ayala, E. S., & Justo, C. F. (2010) · Revista de Investigación Educativa · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Justo, C. F., Ayala, E. S., & Martínez, E. J. (2010) · Revista Iberoamericana de Educación · doi:10.35362/rie5361709 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
International Journal of Knowledge Society Research
Lytras, M. D., & Daniela, L. (2022) · International Journal of Knowledge Society Research · doi:10.4018/ijksr · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Processos interativos em situações de jogo no ensino fundamental
Raupp, A. D., & Grando, N. I. (2010) · Revista Iberoamericana de Educación · doi:10.35362/rie5321746 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
1 of the 44 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Phan, M. L., Renshaw, T. L., Caramanico, J., Greeson, J. M., Mackenzie, E., Atkinson‐Diaz, Z., Doppelt, N., Tai, H., Mandell, D. S., & Nuske, H. J. (2022) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-022-01885-9 · Cited by 178 · see citing works
Czajkowski, A.-M. L., Greasley, A., & Allis, M. (2020) · Musicae Scientiae · doi:10.1177/1029864920941570 · Cited by 91 · see citing works
Freudenthaler, L., Turba, J. D., & Tran, U. S. (2017) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-017-0709-y · Cited by 88 · see citing works
Mechanisms of Mindfulness in the General Population
Burzler, M. A., Voracek, M., Hos, M., & Tran, U. S. (2018) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-018-0988-y · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Antônio, J., Aguilar-Parra, J. M., Cangas, A. J., Rosado, A. F. B., & Langer, A. I. (2015) · Revista de Psicodidáctica · doi:10.1387/revpsicodidact.13256 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
Self-citationTuranzas, J. A., Cordón, J. R., Choca, J. P., & Mestre, J. M. (2020) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-018-0985-1 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Strehli, I., Burns, R. D., Bai, Y., Ziegenfuss, D. H., Block, M. E., & Brusseau, T. A. (2020) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph18010224 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Langer, Á. I., Schmidt, C., Aguilar-Parra, J. M., Cid, C., & Magni, A. (2017) · Revista Medica de Chile · doi:10.4067/s0034-98872017000400008 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Self-citationThe Perceived Impact of Mindfulness Instruction on Pre-Service Elementary Teachers
BROWN, R. M. A. (2017) · Childhood Education · doi:10.1080/00094056.2017.1300492 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Using Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practices with gifted populations
Sharp, J. E., Niemiec, R. M., & Lawrence, C. N. (2016) · Gifted Education International · doi:10.1177/0261429416641009 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Langer, A. I., Medeiros, S., Valdés, N., Brito, R., Steinebach, C., Cid-Parra, C., Magni, A., & Krause, M. (2020) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph17186927 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Self-citationMindfulness-Based Programs in School Settings: Current State of the Research
Rawana, J. S., Diplock, B. D., & Chan, S. (2018) · Plenum series on human exceptionality · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-89842-1_18 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Emotional Intelligence in Atypical Populations: Research and School-Based Interventions
Montgomery, J. M., McCrimmon, A. W., Climie, E. A., & Ward, M. A. (2018) · Plenum series on human exceptionality · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-90633-1_10 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Meta-análisis multinivel de los programas escolares de intervención basados en mindfulness en España
Villalba, M. J. A., Alarcón, D., & Povedano, A. (2022) · Revista de Psicodidáctica · doi:10.1016/j.psicod.2022.04.005 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Incorporación del mindfulness en el aula: un estudio piloto con estudiantes universitarios
Cuevas-Toro, A. M., Díaz, C., Delgado‐Rico, E., & Toral, M. V. (2017) · Universitas Psychologica · doi:10.11144/javeriana.upsy16-4.imae · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Heredia, L., Torrente, M., & Vicens, P. (2020) · Studies in Psychology Estudios de Psicología · doi:10.1080/02109395.2020.1794716 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Franco, C., Ayala, E. S., Amutio, A., & Mañas, I. M. (2020) · Terapia psicológica · doi:10.4067/s0718-48082020000100005 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Incorporación de la Orientación Contemplativa en la Práctica Educativa del Siglo XXI
Dulčić, F. J. L. (2017) · REICE Revista Iberoamericana sobre Calidad Eficacia y Cambio en Educación · doi:10.15366/reice2017.15.4.004 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Krause, M. (2019) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-25513-8_16 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Self-citationResilience and Mindfulness: Concepts and Interventions for Organizations in Times of Change
Steinebach, C., Langer, A. I., & Nowak, V. (2022) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-97311-7_7 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Multilevel meta-analysis of school mindfulness-based intervention programs in Spain
Villalba, M. J. A., Alarcón, D., & Povedano, A. (2022) · Revista de Psicodidáctica (English ed ) · doi:10.1016/j.psicoe.2022.05.002 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
BSW Student Perspectives on the Utility of Brief, Classroom-Based Mindfulness Practices
Tufford, L., Katz, E., & Etherington, C. (2019) · Smith College Studies in Social Work · doi:10.1080/00377317.2019.1704586 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Application of IoT in Analyzing Cognitive Skills of Students-A Systematic Literature Review
Rajeshwari, M., & Krishna Prasad, K. (2020) · International Journal of Management Technology and Social Sciences · doi:10.47992/ijmts.2581.6012.0088 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Breve historia y estado actual de la práctica de mindfulness y compasión en Chile
Pons, G. B., & Araya-Véliz, C. (2016) · Mindfulness & Compassion · doi:10.1016/j.mincom.2016.09.006 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Dulčić, F. J. L. (2019) · Aula de encuentro: Revista de investigación y comunicación de experiencias educativas · doi:10.17561/ae.v21i1.9 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Aladsani, L. A. (2024) · Journal of Ecohumanism · doi:10.62754/joe.v3i5.3897 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Bajwa, J. K., Bajwa, B., & Gula, T. (2019) · Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching & Learning · doi:10.1108/jrit-01-2019-0006 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Impact of adding mindfulness practices to a bachelor of social work direct practice course
Tufford, L. (2021) · Contemporary Educational Researches Journal · doi:10.18844/cerj.v11i2.5901 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
García, T. S., Kareaga, A. A., López-González, L., Herrero‐Fernández, D., & Páez, D. (2025) · Universitas Psychologica · doi:10.11144/javeriana.upsy22.eapm · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Steinebach, C., Knafla, I., & Schär, M. (2025) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-658-26545-8_4-1 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Uddin, M. S., Sofija, E., Rahman, N., Hossain, S., & Harris, P. (2026) · International Journal of Health Promotion and Education · doi:10.1080/14635240.2026.2649630 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Cardona, E. Y. B. (2018) · Psicología y Salud · doi:10.25009/pys.v29i1.2569 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Duranleau, C., Rousseau, N., & Dionne, F. (2023) · Éducation et francophonie · doi:10.7202/1100074ar · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Education
Camacho, C. R. (2025) · IGI Global eBooks · doi:10.4018/979-8-3373-0705-3.ch018 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Strehli, I., Burns, R. D., Bai, Y., Ziegenfuss, D. H., Block, M. E., & Brusseau, T. A. (2022) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-1522812/v1 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Dulčić, F. J. L., Orellana, P. E. S., & Roa, J. A. S. (2020) · Voces y Silencios Revista Latinoamericana de Educación · doi:10.18175/vys11.1.2020.4
A scoping review of 50 years of school-based mindfulness programs for children and adolescents
O’Neal, C. S., Begeny, J. C., & Smith, B. (2026) · Children and Youth Services Review · doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2026.108840
Achtsamkeit in der Schule: Ein Beitrag zur Resilienzförderung und positiven Schulentwicklung
Steinebach, C. (2026) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-658-26545-8_105-1
Oyanadel, C., Aguayo-Velozo, C., Álvarez-Quiroz, V., Cravero, F., Palma-Navarrete, J., Rojas-Farias, J., & Rubilar-Chávez, M. (2026) · Time & Society · doi:10.1177/0961463x261498443
- Authors
- Langer, Á. I., Ulloa, V. G., Cangas, A. J., Rojas, G., & Krause, M.
- Affiliations
- Universidad del Desarrollo (CL)
- University of Almería (ES)
- University of Chile (CL)
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (CL)
- Venue
- Estudios de Psicología
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2015-09-02
- Volume
- 36
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 533-570
- ISSN
- 0210-9395 (ISSN-L)
- 1579-3699
- OpenAlex
- W2112194851
- Cited by
- 40
- References
- 44
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 1
- FWCI
- 0.58
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- Licence
- cc-by-nc-nd
- Locations
- Studies in Psychology Estudios de Psicología (publishedVersion)
- Universidad de Chile (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Social Sciences › Education › Early Childhood Education and Development
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Speech and Hearing › School Health and Nursing Education
- Keywords
- mindfulness meditation, mindfulness-based interventions, secondary education, adolescents, school-based prevention, depressive symptoms, social skills, blood pressure, psychological mechanisms
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
