Effects of an eight-week online mindfulness program on wellbeing in research postgraduate students: preliminary quantitative and qualitative results from a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

<p><strong>Background and Aims</strong></p><p>Pursuing a research postgraduate (RPg) degree is a major life event and could be stressful. The current study aims to investigate the effectiveness of an online eight-week mindfulness-based intervention on improving wellbeing in RPG students using a randomized waitlist-controlled design.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Methods</strong></p><p>A total of 88 participants were recruited (45 were randomized into the waitlist control group). Trait mindfulness, emotional states, resilience and mental wellbeing would be assessed at baseline, post-intervention and 8-week follow-up. Qualitative data (i.e., homework reflections, audio transcript and chat box input during sessions) will be collected to examine potential discoursal patterns of change. The mindfulness program was adapted from “Mindfulness: a Practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World” (Williams & Penman, 2011).</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Results </strong></p><p>This is an ongoing project. Two groups were matched in terms of demographic and baseline measures. Bivariate correlations showed that trait mindfulness was positively correlated with mental wellbeing (r=0.449, p<0.001) and resilience (r=0.540, p<0.001) while negatively correlated with emotional disturbances (r=-0.526, p<0.001).</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Discussion and Conclusion </strong></p><p>Baseline data suggested that trait mindfulness was closely related to wellbeing and emotional states among the RPg students. Both qualitative and quantitative data analysis from the immediate intervention groups will be further shared and discussed.</p>