Mindfulness-based interventions for preadolescent children

A comprehensive meta-analysis

Bibliographic Data

ID21354995
AuthorsTharen N Kander (0000-0002-8131-7602, The University of Western Australia, corresponding author), David Lawrence (0000-0001-5464-5830), Allison Fox, Allison M Fox (0000-0001-5189-6271, The University of Western Australia), Stephen Houghton (0000-0002-6744-1068, The University of Western Australia), Rodrigo Becerra (0000-0001-8286-7254, The University of Western Australia)
Year2024
Volume102
Pages101261
Publication date2024-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of School Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-4405 • E-ISSN: 1873-3506
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.jsp.2023.101261
PMID38143094
OpenAlexW4388473721
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited73

Among the many social and emotional learning (SEL) interventions available, mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have become increasingly popular, particularly for preadolescent children who were once thought to not possess the metacognitive abilities or cognitive resources to benefit from such training. Although previous research syntheses indicate that MBIs show promise in promoting positive outcomes across a range of domains, the effectiveness of MBIs for preadolescent children may be masked by the effects of older children who have comprised the majority of samples in past meta-analyses. Hence, to better understand the impact of mindfulness-based training on preadolescent children (ages 6–12 years), the present study reviewed treatment effect estimates across a range of outcomes, including mindfulness, attention, metacognition and cognitive flexibility, emotional and behavioral regulation, academic achievement and school functioning, positive emotion and self-appraisal, negative emotion and subjective distress, externalizing problems, internalizing problems, social competence and prosocial behavior, and physical health. Thirty-two studies (nparticipants = 3640) were identified and included in a random-effects meta-analyses. The results from multiple meta-analytical analyses conducted in the present study suggest that preadolescents have experienced significant benefits across attention, emotional and behavioral regulation, positive emotion and self-appraisal, and social competence and prosocial behavior (g = 0.19 to 0.39). However, the overall effect was deemed small (g = 0.34). Due to the lack of comparison studies with SEL interventions, it remains unclear whether MBIs are as effective as traditional approaches in promoting healthy development and academic achievement for preadolescent children. Additionally, results from the present meta-analysis suggest various recommendations for future studies to ensure a continued growth in understanding how MBIs can be used with children

Aggression · Cognition · Competence (human resources) · Developmental psychology · Meta-analysis · Metacognition · Mindfulness · Prosocial behavior · Psychological intervention · Social change · Social competence · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Digital Mental Health Interventions · Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions · Psychology · Social Psychology