The Mindfulness App: The Impact on College Student Mental Health and Well-Being

Abstract

There is growing evidence that mindfulness positively impacts health and psychological well-being. Simultaneously, mobile health technologies have expanded the reach and function of health care. Despite increased interest in mobile health applications, studies on the quality and effectiveness of mindfulness-based mobile applications remain scarce. The current study investigated the effects of a five-week intervention using The Mindfulness App on the psychological health of college students. Furthermore, the study examined the utility of daily text-message reminders for increasing adherence to study protocol and mindfulness practice. Results indicated use of The Mindfulness App resulted in significant increases in mindfulness, t(58) = -9.21, p < .001, d = 1.43 and significant decreases in depression, t(58) = 6.44, p < .001, d = -0.72; state anxiety, t(58) = 5.56, p < .001, d = -0.90; trait anxiety, t(58) = 6.56, p < .001, d = -0.83; and inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity, t(58) = 7.59, p < .001, d = -0.93 symptoms over the course of the five-weeks. Furthermore, participants consistently used the app as intended, and reported positive attitudes towards the text-message reminders and the quality of the app. This study provides new evidence that the use of The Mindfulness App has the potential to be an effective treatment intervention in improving the psychological health of college students.