Mindfulness as a way to cope with COVID-19-related stress and anxiety

COVID-19 brought significant challenges to college students in Spring 2020. Mindfulness-based interventions might help students cope with COVID-19-related stressors in at least three ways: by cultivating attention that is self-directed rather than reactive to a rapidly changing situation; by teaching the acceptance and regulation of negative thoughts and feelings; and by encouraging individuals to view adverse events non-judgementally and as opportunities for growth. The purpose of our study was to determine whether Koru Mindfulness (KM), a four-week, mindfulness-based group therapy designed for emerging adults, could help students cope with COVID-19-related stress and anxiety. Students were assigned to either KM or waitlist at the beginning of the 2020 Spring semester. Assessment of students' functioning occurred at baseline before the onset of COVID-19, mid-semester at the height of the COVID-19 crisis on campus, and the end of the semester after students had returned home and transitioned to remote learning. After treatment, KM participants reported greater mindfulness and self-compassion and less stress, anxiety and sleep problems than controls. KM participants also showed superior functioning on performance-based measures of attention. Most gains were maintained over time. Increased mindfulness mediated the relationship between KM and reductions in stress and anxiety. KM can help students cope with academic and COVID-19-related stressors by improving mindfulness.