The effect of mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy on anxiety in emerging adults

Abstract

Anxiety is a psychological disorder characterized by worry, fear, and feelings of tension. While most people experience symptoms of anxiety, these symptoms are short-lived and related to an event. Because of the debilitating effects of anxiety, especially on emerging adults, multiple modalities have been developed to reduce or eliminate the effects. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapies (MB-CBT) have been reported as an effective non-pharmaceutical alternative to the treatment of anxiety-based symptoms in many clients. The study used a quantitative approach, specifically a pre-test post-test experimental design. At pre-test, those in the experimental group (M = 34.89; SD = 9.96) had higher anxiety scores than those in the wait-list group (M = 29.62; SD = 8.89). At post-test, however, anxiety levels of those in the experimental group had dropped (M = 24.45; SD = 11.87) more than those in the wait-list group (M = 35.93; SD = 8.40). Furthermore, at pre-test, participants’ experiences in mindfulness were not statistically significantly different (p = .14; Mwaitlist = 56.57; SD = 14.78; Mexperimental = 51.44; SD = 13.14). At post-test, however, there were statistically significant differences in mindfulness. Participants in the experimental group had higher mindfulness scores (M = 65.83; SD = 16.63) than those in the waitlist group (M = 49.57; SD = 13.69). This is good news for both counselling psychologists and the nation. For counselling psychologists, there is hope that with the right training of clients in terms of being intentionally mindful, they will have the ability to reduce their anxiety levels.