Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for Reducing Anxiety in College Students

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention in reducing anxiety levels among college students. Using a pretest-posttest one-group design, five students with moderate to severe anxiety, selected through the anxiety scale of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS), participated in an MBSR program consisting of four sessions. Anxiety levels were measured before and after the intervention. The analysis results showed a significant reduction in anxiety levels, with a pretest mean score of 24.2 (SD = 4.87) and a posttest mean score of 11.6 (SD = 3.10). Paired t-tests indicated a mean difference of 12.60 (p < 0.05), suggesting that MBSR has a positive impact on reducing anxiety. These findings support the existing literature on the effectiveness of MBSR in anxiety management and highlight the importance of this intervention in the higher education context. Further research with a larger and controlled design is needed to strengthen the generalizability of these results.

Keywords : anxiety, mindfulness-based stress reduction, college students