The Role of Mindfulness-Based Therapies in Alleviating Anxiety and Depression among Chinese University Students

Abstract

Objective: Over the years, the prevalence of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety is rapidly increasing, emphasizing the incorporation of effective mindfulness-based therapies to overcome such issues. Therefore, this study also focuses on the role of mindfulness-based therapies in alleviating anxiety and depression among Chinese university students. Method: For this purpose, “Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)” therapy was taken into account. A total of 100 students were considered for this study. 50 of the students were incorporated in MBSR group while the remaining were included in control group. In this regard, the “Affective Control Scale (ACS)” was used for determining the anger, depression, anxiety and positive emotion among both groups. Results: The results obtained from this RCT showed that the positive emotion fear was less than the fear concerning depression, anger and anxiety. The incorporated MBSR therapy was found to be effective in decreasing anxiety and depression among university students in China (p<0.001). Conclusion: As a result, different cognitive mechanisms (rumination, decentering and mindfulness) are found to be improved among such students. The current study has also been effective in presenting different theoretical as well as practical implications in promoting mindfulness-based therapies to reduce anxiety and depression among individuals.