The effectiveness and acceptability of formal versus informal mindfulness among university students with and without recent self-injury: A randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT: Mindfulness instruction comprising both formal (FM) and informal (IM) mindfulness practice is increasingly offered to university students. FM involves sustaining attention on thoughts, emotions and bodily sensations through structured practices, while IM involves incorporating mindfulness into daily activities. However, recent evidence suggests that FM may pose challenges for students with recent non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), whereas the flexibility and brevity inherent in IM may be better tolerated. This randomized controlled trial compared a FM induction, IM induction and control task among university students with (n = 103) and without (n = 123) past-year NSSI in terms of acceptability and pre-post state mindfulness, stress and well-being. Notably, results did not differ as a functio

SUBMITTER: Petrovic J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11652122 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature