Evaluation of an app-based meditation intervention for working students with regard to health and performance-related aspects. — ASN Events
  1. Schedule
  2. Afternoon Tea & Poster Session 2
  3. Evaluation of an app-based meditation intervention for working students with regard to health and performance-related aspects.

Evaluation of an app-based meditation intervention for working students with regard to health and performance-related aspects. (#847)

Rebecca Petri 1 , Saskia Pilger 2 , Elke Klein 1
  1. Organizational Psychology, FOM University of Applied Sciences, Cologne, NRW, Germany
  2. Organizational Psychology, FOM University of Applied Sciences, Bonn, NRW, Germany

Background

The effects of mindfulness meditation have already been examined, often with employees or students involved. However, the effects of app-based meditation in the target group of working students have not yet been investigated in Germany. The stress level for working students is very high and therefore this target group requires special attention as well as preventive measures to avoid possible negative health effects.

Aims

This study aimed at evaluating an app-based meditation in terms of health and performance related aspects. Specifically, changes in self-efficacy in the study and work environment, in emotion regulation, resilience, stress, irritation and self-perceived concentration were investigated.

Method

The effects were evaluated in a field experiment with a waiting control group (n = 57). In cooperation with the meditation app 7Mind, 114 working students had the opportunity to meditate daily for 28 days. The treatment group (n = 57) started the meditation in May 2022. Prior to and two weeks after the meditation in the treatment group, the health and performance related criteria were measured in both groups using an online questionnaire.

Results

The results of the mixed ANOVA and t-tests show that the treatment group significantly increased their self-efficacy in the work environment (Mt1 = 3.04, Mt2= 3.26) and their emotion regulation (Mt1 = 3.28, Mt2 = 3.67) compared to the control group. They significantly decreased their stress perception (Mt1= 3.48, Mt2= 2.93) and irritation (Mt1= 3.85, Mt2= 3.30). No effects were found for self-efficacy in the study environment, resilience and concentration. This may be due to external factors, such as different examination periods. Furthermore, resilience and concentration are complex constructs which are not directly trained by meditation.

Conclusion

The app-based meditation has shown to be of significant effectivity for working students. Chances of the implementation of app-based meditation in universities and businesses as well as further limitations with regard to the questionnaires’ scales and sample will be discussed.

 

 

  • Please select up to 3 keywords from the following list to best describe your submission content: Mindfulness, Self-Care, Technology / Apps
#IPPAWorldCongress