The Influence Of Mindfulness Meditation Training On Well-being

Objective:The present study aimed to explore the influence of mindfulness meditation training on subjective well-being and psychological well-being of college students. Combining with anxiety, depression and physiological indexes(Alpha wave, EMG, BVP) to explore its mechanism from the angle of pressure alleviation and emotion regulation.Methods:90 undergraduate students were randomly assigned to experimental group(n=45) and wait-list control group(n=45). The participants in experimental group received9-week mindfulness training. While the participants in control group waited for 9 weeks without any intervention. The Positive and Negative Affect Scale(PANAS), Life Satisfaction Scales Applicable to Chinese Adolescent Students(CASLSS), Psychological Well-Being Scale(PWBS), State-trait Anxiety Inventory(STAI), CES-D, Alpha wave,EMG, BVP were measured at baseline and post-training.Results:38 participants in the experimental group and 36 participants in the wait-list control group entered data analysis.1. Comparison of subjective well-being, the experimental group experienced significant increases in positive affect(PA)( P < 0.001), overall life satisfaction,friendship satisfaction, family satisfaction, academic satisfaction, school satisfaction and environmental satisfaction(P<0.05), and significant decrease in negative affect(NA)(P< 0.001). There were no significant differences between the scores of pre-test and post-test of the wait-list control group(P>0.05). The experimental group had higher difference values of the scores of positive affect(P<0.01), overall life satisfaction,friendship satisfaction, family satisfaction, environmental satisfaction(P<0.05), and lower difference values of the scores of negative affect(P<0.001)than the wait-list control group.2. Comparison of psychological well-being, the experimental group experienced significant increases in psychological well-being, environmental master, personal growth,positive relations with others, purpose in life and self-acceptance(P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the scores of pre-test and post-test of the wait-list control group(P>0.05). The experimental group had higher difference values of the scores of psychological well-being, personal growth, positive relations with others, purpose in life and self-acceptance(P<0.05)than the wait-list control group.3. Comparison of anxiety and depression, the experimental group experienced significant decreases in SAT, TAT and CES-D(P<0.01). There were no significant differences between the scores of pre-test and post-test of the wait-list control group(P>0.05). The experimental group had lower difference values of the scores of SAT, TAT and CES-D(P<0.01)than the wait-list control group.4. Comparison of physiological indexes, the experimental group experienced significant increase in Alpha wave(P<0.001)and significant decreases in EMG and BVP(P<0.01). There were no significant differences between the scores of pre-test and post-test of the wait-list control group(P>0.05). The experimental group had higher difference values of the scores of Alpha wave(P<0.001), and lower difference values of the scores of EMG and BVP(P<0.05)than the wait-list control group.5. There were significantly negative correlations between difference values of the scores of positive affect and TAT, BVP(P<0.05). There were significantly positive correlations between difference values of the scores of negative affect and TAT, CES-D(P<0.05). There were significantly negative correlations between difference values of the scores of life satisfaction and TAT, CES-D(P<0.05); There were significantly negativecorrelations between difference values of the scores of psychological well-being and CES-D(P<0.05).Conclusions:1. Mindfulness meditation training can enhance positive affect and life satisfaction,reduce negative affect, enhance subjective well-being and psychological well-being effectively.2. Mindfulness meditation training can reduce stress, and improve the ability of emotion regulation, anxiety, depression, level of alpha wave, EMG and BVP effectively.3. Pressure alleviation and emotion regulation is one of the potential mechanisms that mindfulness meditation training promotes subjective well-being and psychological well-being.