Investigating a Mediation Model of Emotion Regulation and Psychological Resilience in Relationship Between Mindfulness and Negative Emotions Among College Students in Guangzhou

Universiti Sains Malaysia135 enrolled

Overview

This study examines whether a four-week mindfulness-based intervention can reduce depression, anxiety, and stress among college students in Guangzhou, China. It also investigates whether changes in mindfulness, emotion regulation, and psychological resilience may help explain the effects of the intervention. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either a mindfulness intervention group or a health education control group. The intervention group will receive weekly mindfulness-based training and complete brief daily mindfulness practice, while the control group will receive health education sessions. Participants will complete questionnaires assessing mindfulness, cognitive reappraisal, expressive suppression, psychological resilience, depression, anxiety, and stress before and after the intervention and at follow-up.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

135

Conditions

Depression Anxiety Stress

Interventions

Mindfulness-Based InterventionBEHAVIORAL

Participants received a four-week mindfulness-based intervention consisting of one 90-minute group session per week and approximately 10 minutes of daily home practice. The program included mindful breathing, body scan practice, mindful movement, awareness of thoughts and emotions, and exercises for responding to stress. The intervention was adapted from mindfulness-based stress reduction principles for college students.

Health EducationBEHAVIORAL

Participants received a four-week health education program consisting of one group session per week. The sessions addressed general stress management, emotional well-being, healthy lifestyle practices, and other health-related topics. The program did not include mindfulness meditation or formal mindfulness practice.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 30 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * \- Full-time college students enrolled at a participating institution in Guangzhou, China. * Aged 18 to 30 years. * Able to read and understand Chinese. * Willing to provide informed consent. * Completed the initial questionnaire assessment. * Reported at least mild symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress on at least one subscale of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21. * Willing and able to participate in the four-week intervention and complete the required assessm Exclusion Criteria: * \- Currently receiving psychiatric or psychological treatment. * Diagnosed with a severe mental disorder or other severe psychopathology that could interfere with participation. * At acute risk of suicide or self-harm. * Currently participating in another psychological or mental health intervention. * Currently engaging in regular mindfulness meditation or enrolled in another mindfulness-based program. * Pregnant. * Having a physical or medical condition that prevents participation in the intervention activities. * Unable to complete the intervention or study assessments.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Symptoms Assessed by the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21

Depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms will be assessed using the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). The scale contains three 7-item subscales measuring depression, anxiety, and stress. Each item is rated from 0 to 3. Subscale scores are summed and multiplied by two, with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity.