Celine M Ko1, Fran Grace2, Gilbert N Chavez3, Sarah J Grimley1,3, Emily R Dalrymple3, Lisa E Olson3. 1. a Department of Psychology , University of Redlands , Redlands , California , USA. 2. b Department of Religious Studies , University of Redlands , Redlands , California , USA. 3. c Department of Biology , University of Redlands , Redlands , California , USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to have psychological benefits in college students. We explored the effects of an academic Seminar on Compassion on student psychological health. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-one participants (14 male, 27 female, mean age 19.8 ± 1.4 years) were assessed pre- and post- spring semesters 2013 and 2014. METHODS: Students were randomized to the Seminar on Compassion or a wait-list control group. Participants completed self-report measures on anxiety, depression, perceived stress, self-compassion, compassion and mindfulness. Salivary alpha-amylase was also assessed. RESULTS: At baseline, self-compassion and mindfulness were negatively correlated with depression, anxiety, and perceived stress. There were significant changes between the intervention and control group from Time 1 to Time 2 in mindfulness, self-compassion, compassion, and salivary alpha-amylase; however, there were no significant changes in depression, anxiety, and perceived stress. CONCLUSIONS: The course was effective in increasing mindfulness, self-compassion and compassion, and decreasing a salivary marker of stress.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to have psychological benefits in college students. We explored the effects of an academic Seminar on Compassion on student psychological health. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-one participants (14 male, 27 female, mean age 19.8 ± 1.4 years) were assessed pre- and post- spring semesters 2013 and 2014. METHODS: Students were randomized to the Seminar on Compassion or a wait-list control group. Participants completed self-report measures on anxiety, depression, perceived stress, self-compassion, compassion and mindfulness. Salivary alpha-amylase was also assessed. RESULTS: At baseline, self-compassion and mindfulness were negatively correlated with depression, anxiety, and perceived stress. There were significant changes between the intervention and control group from Time 1 to Time 2 in mindfulness, self-compassion, compassion, and salivary alpha-amylase; however, there were no significant changes in depression, anxiety, and perceived stress. CONCLUSIONS: The course was effective in increasing mindfulness, self-compassion and compassion, and decreasing a salivary marker of stress.