Intervention Treatment for Anxiety and Depression-induced Emotional Disorders in College Students: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on relieving symptoms of emotional disorders caused by anxiety and depression in college students. Fifty college students with generalized anxiety disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale scores > 7 and self-rating depression scale (SDS) scores = 50 were randomly divided into a blank group and an MBSR group. The MBSR group completed an eight-week training program, which included activities such as breath awareness and body scanning. The GAD-7 scale, SDS, Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), and five facet mindfulness questionnaire (FFMQ) scores were compared between the two groups before and after the experiment. After the experiment, the MBSR group showed a significant improvement in mindfulness levels as it had a FFMQ score of 124.64 ± 10.72 (p < 0.05 compared to the pre-experiment and blank group). The GAD-7 scale score was 5.46 ± 2.98, and the SDS score was 45.32 ± 6.01, indicating that both anxiety and depression symptoms were relieved. The sleep quality improved as the PSQI score decreased to 5.26 ± 1.88 (p < 0.05 compared to the pre-experiment and blank group). MBSR is beneficial in reducing anxiety and depression among college students, improving sleep quality, and has a certain effect on symptoms of emotional disorders. It can be promoted and applied in practice.