A five-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program integrated into an academic course improved psychological health among 119 undergraduate students. Participants in the MBSR group showed significant increases in mindfulness and self-compassion compared to a control group. However, no significant reduction in trait anxiety was observed, suggesting that longer programs may be needed to address psychological distress.
Between 1986 and 1990, cocaine use among undergraduates at a private southern university dropped from 39% to 21%, and traditional amphetamine use fell from 22% to 12%. Marijuana use remained stable (68% to 64%), as did LSD use (14% to 17%). Mescaline or psilocybin use rose sharply from 8% to 24%, and MDMA (Ecstasy) use increased from 16% to 24%. Students in 1990 were more likely to have first tried mescaline/psilocybin and Ecstasy during their college years compared to other drugs.
A 4-week mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) reduced perceived stress more than both an active control and a traditional control condition among undergraduate students at a southeastern university. The MBI also increased trait mindfulness and reduced anxiety compared to the traditional control condition. No significant differences were observed for rumination. The findings suggest that MBIs may be a useful approach for alleviating stress in a highly stressed population.