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
Authors: Qvick, Jemina; Hintsanen, Mirka; Vahlberg, Tero; Volanen, Salla-Maarit
Publisher: Springer Nature
Publication year: 2026
Journal: Journal of Happiness Studies
Article number: 17
Volume: 27
Issue: 1
ISSN: 1389-4978
eISSN: 1573-7780
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-025-01003-1
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: Open 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 address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/508988251
Self-archived copy's licence: CC BY
Self-archived copy's version: Publisher`s PDF
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.