The effects of a course-based mindfulness intervention on college student perfectionism, stress, anxiety, self-compassion, and social connectedness

Rising perfectionism levels within post-secondary students could be one reason for students' challenges with adaptation to post-secondary. Recent research has suggested mindfulness-based interventions may be a promising avenue for mitigating high perfectionism, in addition to improving emotional and social well-being. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of 8 weeks of a mindfulness course on post-secondary students (compared to a non-meditating control group). Variables of interest were mindfulness, multidimensional perfectionism (self-oriented, other-oriented, and socially prescribed types), stress, anxiety, self-compassion, and social connectedness. Students self-enrolled into a mindfulness class offered at a college in Alberta, Canada (n = 15). The experimental sample, aged 18-54 (M = 25.27, SD = 11.47), were 96.7% female. A control group was recruited from first- and second-year psychology classes (n = 30), with ages ranging from 17 to 38 (M = 21.70, SD = 5.36) and 70% identifying as female. Students completed in-person surveys near the beginning of the term and again after 8 weeks. ANOVAs and linear regression analyses were conducted. In line with previous studies, results indicated that college students practicing mindfulness evidenced lower perfectionism (self-oriented and other-oriented types), stress, and anxiety, along with higher mindfulness and self-compassion. Additionally, interpersonal benefits were revealed as the mindfulness group increased in social connectedness. Perplexing results suggest two routes to social connection, as the control group also showed an increase in social connection, potentially motivated by higher stress and self-criticism. Findings from the current study are impressive (given the small sample size and the high-stress time of the term during which post-test measures were taken) and suggest that integrating mindfulness practices into the curriculum can enhance emotional and social well-being for postsecondary students. College students in a mindfulness course evidenced intrapersonal benefits after 8 weeks, including lowered perfectionism (self-oriented and other-oriented types), stress, and anxiety; and increased mindfulness and self-compassion when compared to a non-meditating control group. Surprisingly, both the mindfulness and control groups demonstrated enhanced social connectedness over time, but the increase in social connection for the control group seemed to be associated with greater stress and self-criticism. Given the small sample size and the high-stress time of the term during which posttest measures were taken, results from this study are impressive and add to a growing body of research that suggests mindfulness is helpful to incorporate into the curriculum to enhance emotional and social well-being for students.