Anxiety, Depression
Conditions
Brief summary
The goal of this randomized control group is to learn about effective treatments for college students experiencing anxiety and/or depression. The main questions this clinical trial aims to answer are: 1) Can mindfulness-based treatments increase retention rates among first-generation college students? 1) Can mindfulness-based treatments decrease anxiety and/or depression among first-generation college students? Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups: mindfulness meditation or psychoeducation. Researchers will compare outcomes from each group to explore treatment differences.
Detailed description
Method/Design. This study will be a remote, two-arm, randomized, controlled trial. First-generation college students will be randomized to either mindfulness meditation (MM), or psychoeducation (PE). The mindfulness meditation will be a loving kindness meditation adapted to apply to college communities. Each intervention will be applied for 60 minutes, once a week, for two weeks through a remote platform. The MM is adapted through a validated brief mindfulness-based intervention framework (Zeidan, 2010). The primary outcome, intention to persist in college, and the secondary outcomes, depression and anxiety, will be assessed by a blinded researcher at baseline, one-week post treatment, and one-month follow-up. Change in sense of connection during the final treatment session, measured with a comprehensive battery of self-report indices, will be the primary therapeutic mechanism. Aims and Objectives. The proposed project's central hypothesis is that MM will increase first-generation students' intention to persist in college and increase their emotional well-being by increasing their sense of belonging in their college community. Aim 1. Examine MM's effect on first-generation college students' intention to persist in college (primary outcome) over time. Hypothesis: Participants who are randomized into the MM group will report higher intention to persist scores from baseline to one-month follow-up than those who are randomized to PE. Aim 2. Exploratory. Determine MM's effect on anxiety and depression scores (co-secondary outcomes) over time. Hypothesis: MM will decrease depression and anxiety relative to PE from baseline to one-month follow-up. Aim 3: Exploratory. Investigate whether transcendent states during the final MM session predicts students' intention to persist scores. Hypothesis: The effect of MM on students' intention to persist will be mediated by self-transcendent experience during mindfulness practice.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALMindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness meditation will be facilitated by a seasoned mindfulness practitioner. Participants will be guided through a loving kindness meditation adapted to apply to college communities and designed to help increase a sense of interconnectedness among their college community. They will also learn how to deconstruct feelings of anxiety and/or depression into sensory, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral components.
OTHERPsychoeducation
In the psychoeducation arm, participants will receive information related to creating connections with campus community and managing anxiety and/or depression through a presentation. They will also receive information on resources for connecting with their community and treating anxiety and/or depression.
Sponsors
University of South Dakota
Mind and Life Institute, Hadley, Massachusetts
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
The PI will randomly assign participants to condition and coordinate treatment group scheduling; the assessor will be blinded to condition.
Intervention model description
Participants will be randomized to receive either: 1) Mindfulness Meditation or 2) Psychoeducation
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 64 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
18 years or older. Currently enrolled in college in the United States. First-generation college student. Access to WiFi and a computer/smartphone/tablet. English speaking.
Exclusion criteria
Not currently enrolled in a college program. Not a first-generation college student. Non-English speaker. Not able to utilize WiFi or computer/tablet/smartphone.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Intention to Persist in College | Baseline, post treatment (one week after the final treatment session), and follow-up (one month after the final treatment session) | Change in participants' intention to persist in college will be assessed through an individual item rated in a numeric rating scale. Scores range from 0 to 5 with higher scores reflecting greater intent to remain in college. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Anxiety | Changes in participant's state anxiety will be captured within 5-minutes prior to each intervention and within 5 minutes after each intervention (mindfulness and psychoeducation) | Symptoms will be assessed through a state anxiety assessment. Scores range from 0-60 with higher scores indicating higher levels of anxiety. |
| Depression | Changes in participant's state anxiety will be captured within 5-minutes prior to each intervention and within 5 minutes after each intervention (mindfulness and psychoeducation) | Symptoms will be assessed through a state depression assessment. Scores range from 0-20 with higher scores indicating higher levels of depression. |
Countries
United States
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORNatalie Lecy
University of South Dakota
Outcome results
None listed