Mindfulness in At-Risk Adolescents

At-risk behaviors are related to poor outcomes among adolescents. Increasing evidence supports adolescence as a vital time to introduce stress reduction techniques to reduce risk and improve mental health. The current study implemented and evaluated a mindfulness based intervention for at-risk adolescents in a randomized control pre-test post-test design with an attentional comparison group. Participants were sixth grade female students from a public boarding school for at risk youth in Maryland. Students were randomized by dormitory to participate in mindfulness or the attentional comparison once per week for 6 weeks. The study demonstrated excellent feasibility for mindfulness in this at risk population. Group interventions were effective at improving mindfulness and positive affect. This suggest mindfulness can be a part of reducing risks and improving mental health. Diverse and larger samples with longitudinal measures may guide future educational programs & research.