A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Effect of a Universal Mindfulness Program on Well-Being in Adolescents: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial




AuthorsQvick, Jemina; Hintsanen, Mirka; Vahlberg, Tero; Volanen, Salla-Maarit

PublisherSpringer Nature

Publication year2026

Journal: Journal of Happiness Studies

Article number17

Volume27

Issue1

ISSN1389-4978

eISSN1573-7780

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-025-01003-1

Publication's open availability at the time of reportingOpen Access

Publication channel's open availability Partially Open Access publication channel

Web address https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-025-01003-1

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/508988251

Self-archived copy's licenceCC BY

Self-archived copy's versionPublisher`s PDF


Abstract

Mental health disorders often emerge during adolescence. Mindfulness interventions may support adolescents’ well-being. However, the evidence supporting the effectiveness of universal mindfulness interventions for adolescents’ well-being is limited and hampered by methodological weaknesses. The present study is the first large-scale randomized controlled trial with active and inactive control groups to examine the effectiveness of a 9-week universal mindfulness intervention on the well-being of adolescents, moderated by gender, age, and independent practice. A total of 3519 Finnish adolescents aged 12–15 were randomly assigned to intervention, active, and inactive control groups. Well-being was indicated by life satisfaction (assessed with OECD life satisfaction and SWLC-C life satisfaction) and positive and negative affect (assessed with PANAS) at baseline, 9 weeks, and 26 weeks. Analyses were conducted with linear mixed models. A significant increase in life satisfaction (SWLS-C) was observed at 9 weeks in the mindfulness intervention group (β = 0.38, 95% CI 0.08–0.68, p = 0.009) compared to the active control group. Independent practice was found to moderate the effects in positive affect at 26 weeks; those who practiced more had increases in positive affect. Universal mindfulness intervention shows some promise in improving the well-being of adolescents, although it did not affect all well-being outcomes.


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Funding information in the publication
Open Access funding provided by University of Oulu (including Oulu University Hospital). This project is sponsored by Folkhälsan Research Center and University of Oulu, and funded by Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation, Juho Vainio Foundation, Mats Brommels Foundation, Yrjö Jahnsson Foundation, Niilo Helander Foundation, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and Swedish Cultural Foundation. The study protocol has undergone peer-review by all the funding bodies.


Last updated on 12/02/2026 10:40:53 AM