The impact of a Mindfulness meditation program on stress coping strategies in university students

Authors

  • Linda Flor Villa Ricapa Peruvian University Los Andes
  • Jessenia Vasquez Artica Peruvian University Los Andes
  • Jose Francisco Via y Rada Vittes Peruvian University Los Andes
  • Edith Mariela Quispe Sanabria Peruvian University Los Andes
  • Luis Alberto Poma Lagos Peruvian University Los Andes
  • Hilario Romero Giron Peruvian University Los Andes
  • Carla Giuliana Guanilo Pareja Sacred Heart Women's University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6578-9685
  • Lidia Ysabel Pareja Pera Sacred Heart Women's University
  • Carlos Enrique Guanilo Paredes Autonomous University of Peru
  • Roberto Carlos Davila-Moran Continental University (UC) https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3181-8801

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v62.110712

Keywords:

Mindfulness, stress management, nursing students, psychological intervention, emotional well-being

Abstract

Academic stress is a significant concern among college students, affecting their emotional well-being and academic performance. Mindfulness meditation (MM) has emerged as a promising intervention to improve stress coping strategies. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a 12-week mindfulness meditation program in improving academic stress coping strategies in nursing students. A randomized experimental design was used with 86 nursing students, assigned to the experimental group (n=43) and the control group (n=43). The experimental group participated in a MM program based on the MBSR protocol for 12 weeks, with weekly 60-minute sessions and daily individual practices. Mindfulness levels and stress coping strategies were measured before and after the intervention using the MAAS Scale and the A-CEA Coping Strategies Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using t-tests and Pearson correlations. The results showed a significant increase in mindfulness levels in the experimental group (M pre = 3.20, M post = 4.50; t (42) = -15.34, p < .001, d = 2.34), compared to the control group, which did not show significant changes (p = .27). In addition, significant improvements were observed in the dimensions of positive reappraisal and planning (p < .05) in the experimental group, while seeking social support showed a tendency to increase without reaching statistical significance (p = .051). This study suggests that a 12-week mindfulness meditation program is effective in improving certain academic stress coping strategies, specifically positive reappraisal and planning. These findings support the incorporation of mindfulness interventions into the academic curriculum to promote emotional well-being and stress management among college students.

Author Biographies

  • Linda Flor Villa Ricapa, Peruvian University Los Andes

    Bachelor's degree in Nursing - Universidad Peruana Los Andes Master's degree in Health Sciences with a mention in Public Health - Universidad Peruana Los Andes.

  • Jessenia Vasquez Artica, Peruvian University Los Andes

    Graduated in Psychology from the Peruvian University of the Andes - Peru, Master in Biomedical Research, specializing in neuroscience and cognition at the University of Navarra-Spain, Master in Education with a mention in Creativity Education at the Jose Enrique Varona University - Cuba

  • Jose Francisco Via y Rada Vittes, Peruvian University Los Andes

    Master in Psychology with a major in Prevention and Intervention in Children and Adolescents, Psychologist by profession (UPLA). Candidate for a Master's degree in Teaching in Higher Education (UC). Professional specialization in Scientific Research, Research Methodology and Thesis Project Formulation, Clinical Psychology and Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy. With research skills, publications in indexed journals and with copyright registrations with INDECOPI. With experience in University Teaching at the Peruvian University Los Andes.

  • Edith Mariela Quispe Sanabria, Peruvian University Los Andes

    Systems Engineering (UNCP) and Master in Teaching in Higher Education (UPLA), with more than 10 years of experience in university teaching, specialized in graphic design and programming. With publications in indexed scientific articles and copyright before INDECOPI.

  • Luis Alberto Poma Lagos, Peruvian University Los Andes

    Entrepreneurial professional, leader and with the ability to work in a team. Doctor of Law (UPLA). Master in Law and Political Science, with a mention in Civil and Commercial Law. Lawyer. With a second specialty in University Didactics. With more than 21 years of experience in University Teaching. Currently he is a Principal Professor at the Universidad Peruana Los Andes. Currently Dean of the Faculty of Law and CC.PP. at the Universidad Peruana Los Andes. Author of several books with a Legal Deposit Certificate at the BNP. Author and co-author of scientific articles. Author of technological software registered with INDECOPI.

  • Hilario Romero Giron, Peruvian University Los Andes

    Entrepreneurial professional, leader and with the ability to work in a team. Doctor of Law (UPLA). Master in Law and Political Science, with a mention in Criminal Sciences. Lawyer. With a second specialty in University Didactics. Candidate for the degree of Master in Accounting (UNCP). With more than 8 years of experience in University Teaching. Currently he is an assistant professor at the Peruvian University Los Andes in the position of General Director of Administration. Author of several books with a Legal Deposit Certificate at the BNP. Author and co-author of scientific articles. Author of technological software registered with INDECOPI.

  • Carla Giuliana Guanilo Pareja, Sacred Heart Women's University

    University Professor specializing in Administration and Marketing
    Bachelor's Thesis Advisor
    Bachelor's Thesis Defense Jury

    Bachelor's Degree in Administration and International Business
    Master's Degree in University Research and Teaching
    Master's Degree in Digital Marketing
    PhD in Administration with a specialty in International Business.

    Researcher with scientific articles published in scientific journals indexed in Scopus.

    Reviewer of scientific articles

    Brand Manager (Creative process of building a brand - visual identity).

    Specialist in Digital Marketing (Marketing Strategies for apps, Inbound marketing and Content Marketing).

    Social Media Manager and strategist in social networks, with experience in planning, executing and evaluating campaigns.

  • Lidia Ysabel Pareja Pera, Sacred Heart Women's University

    Lawyer and Certified Public Accountant, University Researcher, she currently teaches at the following universities: Universidad Femenina del Sagrado Corazón, Inca Garcilaso de la Vega and Alas Peruanas. Professor at the Graduate School of the Universidad San Martín de Porres and career official of the Congress of the Republic.
    With a master's degree in Administration from the Federico Villarreal University, a doctorate in Accounting from the Inca Garcilaso de la Vega University and a PhD in Leadership and Management. She has carried out studies related to distance teaching-learning such as the diploma in Open and Distance Education from the UAP-UNED.
    Author of the books "Ethics" and "National Reality"; in addition to the self-instructive texts Governmental Accounting I, Governmental Accounting II, Higher Accounting II, Higher Accounting III, Operational and Administrative Audit Extrajudicial Conciliator and independent auditor, she is a regular speaker at various national forums. Specialist in government administration – logistics, government accounting and internal control, he constantly updates himself by attending different events related to his profession such as talks, conferences, seminars.

  • Carlos Enrique Guanilo Paredes, Autonomous University of Peru

    Bachelor's degree in Administration, Engineer, Master's degree in Administration, Master's degree in International Trade, Doctorate in Administration and PhD in International Business. University researcher and professor at the Agrarian University-La Molina, Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, Technological University of Peru, Norbert Wiener University, Simón Bolívar University and Alas Peruanas University. Professional at the Center for Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies of the Congress of the Republic of Peru.

  • Roberto Carlos Davila-Moran, Continental University (UC)

    Industrial engineer and master in quality management and human development, he has extensive experience that has allowed him to participate in various multidisciplinary research projects. In addition, he has published several articles in internationally indexed scientific journals. His ability to develop rigorous research, combined with his knowledge and experience in the field of industrial engineering, allows him to make significant contributions in the field of research. In his research work, he stands out for his ability to identify problems and opportunities for improvement, proposing innovative and effective solutions to optimize his performance. His commitment and dedication to each project, added to his ability to work in a team, make him a highly valued professional in the academic and business fields.

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Published

01-01-2025

Issue

Vol. 62 (2025)

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Original Research Article

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Copyright (c) 2024 Linda Flor Villa Ricapa, Jessenia Vasquez Artica, Jose Francisco Via y Rada Vittes, Edith Mariela Quispe Sanabria, Luis Alberto Poma Lagos, Hilario Romero Giron, Carla Giuliana Guanilo Pareja, Lidia Ysabel Pareja Pera, Carlos Enrique Guanilo Paredes, Roberto Carlos Dávila-Morán

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How to Cite

Villa Ricapa, L. F. ., Vasquez Artica, J., Via y Rada Vittes, J. F. ., Quispe Sanabria, E. M. ., Poma Lagos, L. A. ., Romero Giron, H. ., Guanilo Pareja, C. G., Pareja Pera, L. Y., Guanilo Paredes, C. E., & Davila-Moran, R. C. (2025). The impact of a Mindfulness meditation program on stress coping strategies in university students. Retos, 62, 1097-1106. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v62.110712