The efficacy of a virtual and in-person mindfulness-based intervention course on university students’ during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the impact of a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) on university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods and participants: There were 53 participants who voluntarily enrolled in a mindfulness course at a regional state university (24 virtual and 29 in-person) and 56 in the control group. Participants completed surveys at the beginning and end of the course on mindfulness, life satisfaction, and resilience. Results: Results revealed that the in-person group showed significantly higher mindfulness, life satisfaction, and resilience over the course of the semester. The virtual group showed increases across all three variables as well, but only significantly improved on resilience. Conclusion: Results indicate that the inclusion of MBIs in university courses may be a cost-effective and proactive means to support the mental health and well-being of college students, and that in-person delivery may be a more effective modality.

Keywords:

• Intervention
• mindfulness
• virtual
• in-person delivery
• COVID-19
• college students

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of USA and received approval from the Institutional Review Board of Bloomsburg University.

Additional information

Funding

No funding was used to support this research and/or the preparation of the manuscript.