App-based mindfulness meditation reduces perceived stress and improves self-regulation in working university students: A randomised controlled trial.

We investigated whether a brief mindfulness meditation programme delivered via a smartphone app improves perceived stress, self-regulation and life satisfaction in part-time working university students. Mindfulness and cognitive reappraisal were analysed as potential mediators. A total of 64 university students working at least 20 h per week during the semester were randomised to either a mindfulness-based mobile intervention or a wait-list control condition. Participants in the intervention group were asked to complete one training session of 10-15 min per day using the app. Psychological measures were assessed via a self-report questionnaire at baseline and after 8 weeks. The online mindfulness programme was found to significantly decrease perceived stress (η  = .180, a large effect). It also increased self-regulation (η  = .195, a large effect), mindfulness (η  = .174; a large effect) and cognitive reappraisal (η  = .136, a medium effect). Increments in life satisfaction were not significant. Changes in self-regulation were mediated by increased mindfulness. Overall, the mobile application was effective in improving mental well-being and coping abilities in a non-clinical sample, encouraging further development of digital health treatments.