The Effects of Mindfulness Practice on Anxiety and Test Anxiety in a College Student Population Utilizing a RCT and WLC

Abstract

Mindfulness interventions for test anxiety in a college student population are beneficial. This study expands on the existing literature by examining how online mindfulness practices may help alleviate anxiety and test anxiety in college students utilizing a waitlist control group (WLC). This study assessed the effects of online mindfulness practices over a five-week period on anxiety and test anxiety in college students. Participants included 79 college students that were randomly assigned to either sitting meditation or WLC. Weekly mindfulness practices were given to participants to complete on their own for 5 weeks. The WLC did not do any mindfulness for the first five weeks. Participants in both conditions showed significant within-group reductions in test anxiety, overall anxiety, and DASS scores from start to finish of their mindfulness intervention. Both groups also showed increases in FFMQ scores. Mindfulness may play a role in the reduction of anxiety and test anxiety. While college counseling centers are facing hiring challenges, being understaffed, and counselors dealing with burnout, offering resources such as free online mindfulness programs can provide supplemental options for counseling centers. They also offer students dealing with anxiety and test anxiety an option to utilize these programs on their own. Further research is needed to further determine how mindfulness may affect anxiety and test anxiety in college students.