The Impact of Mindfulness Meditation on Adolescents' Stress and Emotional Regulation

Thesis Abstract

Adolescents today face increasing levels of stress attributable to academic pressures, social challenges, and rapid developmental changes, which often impair their emotional regulation and overall psychological well-being. This study aims to empirically investigate the impact of a structured mindfulness meditation intervention on stress levels and emotional regulation among adolescents aged 13 to 18 years. The specific objectives are to assess the effect of mindfulness meditation on perceived stress, evaluate changes in emotional regulation strategies, and explore the moderating roles of self-efficacy and resilience in these relationships. Employing a quasi-experimental research design with pretest-posttest control groups, the study was conducted with a sample of 300 adolescents drawn from three urban secondary schools using stratified random sampling. The participants were divided into an experimental group (n=150), which underwent an 8-week mindfulness meditation program, and a control group (n=150), which continued with the standard school curriculum. Data collection employed validated instruments including the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), and measures of self-efficacy and resilience. Prior to the intervention, all participants completed baseline assessments to establish initial levels of stress and emotional regulation. The post-intervention assessment was conducted immediately after the program and at a three-month follow-up to evaluate sustainability of effects. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS Version 26.0, with descriptive statistics summarizing demographic and baseline variables. Inferential statistics involved multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) to determine differences between groups while controlling for covariates. Hierarchical regression analyses explored moderating effects of self-efficacy and resilience on the relationship between mindfulness meditation and emotional regulation. Additionally, paired-sample t-tests assessed within-group changes over time. The study also integrated qualitative feedback from participants via thematic analysis of open-ended responses to explore subjective experiences and perceived benefits. It is anticipated that the findings will demonstrate statistically significant reductions in perceived stress and improvements in emotional regulation strategies among adolescents engaged in mindfulness meditation, with sustained effects observed at follow-up. Furthermore, higher levels of self-efficacy and resilience are expected to enhance the intervention’s effectiveness, highlighting the role of individual differences. These results will support the theoretical framework grounded in the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) model and Self-Regulation Theory, providing empirical evidence for their applicability within adolescent populations. The study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by empirically validating mindfulness meditation as an effective non-pharmacological approach to managing stress and enhancing emotional regulation among adolescents, a group increasingly vulnerable to psychological distress. It fills notable gaps in the literature concerning the long-term sustainability of such interventions and the moderating psychological factors influencing outcomes. From a practical perspective, the findings offer evidence-based recommendations for integrating mindfulness programs into school curricula aimed at fostering emotional resilience and mental health. The main conclusion underscores the efficacy of mindfulness meditation in promoting adolescent psychological well-being, suggesting its incorporation as a routine component of school health initiatives. Recommendations include designing scalable mindfulness interventions tailored to diverse adolescent populations, training school counselors and teachers to facilitate such programs, and conducting further longitudinal studies to examine long-term benefits. Future research should explore the integration of digital mindfulness interventions and assess their comparative effectiveness across different socio-cultural contexts.