Healthy learning mind – Effectiveness of a mindfulness program on mental health compared to a relaxation program and teaching as usual in schools: A cluster-randomised controlled trial

Volanen, Salla‐Maarit; Lassander, Maarit; Hankonen, Nelli; Santalahti, Päivi; Hintsanen, Mirka; Simonsen, Nina; Raevuori, Anu; Mullola, Sari; Vahlberg, Tero; But, Anna; Suominen, Sakari

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2019.08.087

Cited by 55 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Among boys, there seemed to be more individuals reporting beliefs of a total lack of benefits than among girls. The HLM trial also found slightly greater benefits for girls in resilience (Volanen et al 2020). This is congruent with previous research that indicates on average, men do not experience mindfulness benefits such as reduction in negative affect as much as women, attributing it to women's higher tendency to ruminate and internalize (Rojiani et al 2017).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

“…The 9-week Healthy Learning Mind program was conducted in southern Finnish schools among 12-15-year-olds. The trial tested mindfulness against an active control (relaxation) and a passive control (no treatment) on three co-primary outcomes: resilience, socio-emotional functioning, and depressive symptoms (Volanen et al 2020). The baseline levels of these variables were used as predictors in this study.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The baseline levels of these variables were used as predictors in this study. The current study also investigated gender differences in levels of social cognitive and practice variables and in the RAA and initial mental health models in order to begin to understand better why girls and women have reported experiencing greater benefits from practicing mindfulness (Rojiani et al 2017;Volanen et al 2020). The primary research questions are as follows: Do resilience, socioemotional functioning, and depressive symptoms at baseline predict mindfulness practice during the intervention and 17 weeks after the intervention?…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Social Cognitions and Mental Health as Predictors of Adolescents’ Mindfulness Practice

et al. 2020

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Objectives While practicing mindfulness can potentially mitigate and prevent mental health problems among adolescents, mindfulness programs delivered in schools do not uniformly lead to uptake of mindfulness practice. This low adherence threatens the internal validity of mindfulness trials and may hinder the alleviation of mental health problems in youth who fail to take up potentially effective techniques. Consequently, it is vital to investigate what predicts uptake of independent mindfulness practice in such interventions. Methods Using path analyses, this study investigates whether social cognitions from the Reasoned Action Approach and initial mental health predict mindfulness practice among 1646 adolescent recipients of the school-based Healthy Learning Mind mindfulness intervention. Results In line with the Reasoned Action Approach, descriptive and injunctive norms, and positive and negative outcome expectations predicted intention to practice mindfulness (R 2 = .37, p < .001), which in turn predicted different measures of mindfulness practice itself (R 2 = .09-.17, p < .001). Neither perceived behavioral control nor mental health variables (depressive symptoms, internalization and externalization of difficulties, and resilience: R 2 = .01, p > .05) were associated with mindfulness practice after the intervention. Conclusion Social norms and outcome expectations are potential intervention targets to increase mindfulness practice motivation and behavior among adolescents.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

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confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Social Cognitions and Mental Health as Predictors of Adolescents’ Mindfulness Practice

et al. 2020

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“…Existing literature regarding the receptiveness of adolescents to mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) indicates that adolescents generally are accepting of mindfulness practice [9]. When analyzed for efficacy, MBIs designed for adolescent populations have been shown to improve self-regulation [10], exercise levels [11], depressive symptoms [12], and resilience [13]. Conducting MBIs with adolescents also has some potential drawbacks, including poor attendance when programming is optional [14], participants' difficulty adhering to MBI regimens [15], and a lack of standard adaptations for MBIs in adolescent populations [16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A pilot open-label feasibility trial examining an adjunctive mindfulness intervention for adolescents with obesity

Cotter

Hornack

Fotang

et al. 2020

Pilot Feasibility Stud

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Background: Obesity in adolescence is predictive of obesity in adulthood and risk for chronic disease. Traditional behavioral approaches to addressing obesity in adolescence rarely yield meaningful changes in body mass index (BMI), suggesting that adjunctive treatments are necessary. Herein, we describe a study examining whether it is feasible to integrate a brief mindfulness intervention with the usual recommended care for adolescent obesity in a pediatric weight management clinic. Methods: We conducted a single arm open-label trial with 11 adolescent patients with obesity. Participants received the recommended standard of medical management of obesity (usual care) plus a six-week mindfulness intervention. To assess our primary aim of feasibility, we examined recruitment, retention, and satisfaction rates. Participants also completed measures of mindfulness, emotion regulation, disordered eating, quality of life, and executive functioning, and had their BMI and blood pressure measured. Results: We recruited 11 adolescents to participate in the intervention, with 8 (73%) completing the entire program. Attendance rates (85%) and satisfaction rates (100%) were promising for a larger trial. While preliminary analyses of changes in health outcomes should be examined with caution, effect sizes ranged from small to large with some promising trends in eating behaviors. Discussion: It might be feasible to augment existing behavioral interventions for adolescents with obesity with brief mindfulness; however, some adaptations are needed to enhance recruitment and retention. The lessons learned in this feasibility study can inform an adequately powered efficacy trial. Trial registration: This research is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03874377).

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“…However, the lack of associations may be explained by the low level of independent practice and missing answers relating to practice. The relationship between mindfulness benefits and more frequent practice (e.g., ideal length) is also complex and requires further research (Volanen et al, 2020). We also assumed that the motivation to learn the content of the intervention program, i.e., calming one's own mind would be related to outcomes at 9 weeks (Pessoa, 2009), but this was not the case.…”

Section: Independent Practice and Executive Functionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects of School-based Mindfulness Intervention on Executive Functioning in a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

Lassander

Hintsanen

Suominen

et al. 2020

Developmental Neuropsychology

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Healthy learning mind – Effectiveness of a mindfulness program on mental health compared to a relaxation program and teaching as usual in schools: A cluster-randomised controlled trial

Cited by 55 publications

References 34 publications

Social Cognitions and Mental Health as Predictors of Adolescents’ Mindfulness Practice

Social Cognitions and Mental Health as Predictors of Adolescents’ Mindfulness Practice

A pilot open-label feasibility trial examining an adjunctive mindfulness intervention for adolescents with obesity

The Effects of School-based Mindfulness Intervention on Executive Functioning in a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

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