Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Stress Reduction and Mental Well-being Among University Students: An Evidence-Based Review of Meta-Analytic Findings

University students consistently report elevated levels of perceived stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, which threaten both academic performance and long-term mental health. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have become widespread across higher-education campuses, yet the abundance of primary studies makes it difficult for practitioners and administrators to gauge their true effectiveness. This paper offers a rigorous structured review of recent meta-analytic evidence on MBIs delivered to university students. It synthesizes the findings of three major meta-analyses published between ۲۰۲۳ and ۲۰۲۶, together with supporting randomized controlled trials, covering student populations across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was performed in December ۲۰۲۵ to identify eligible meta-analyses. The quantitative evidence consistently indicates that mindfulness training produces a moderate reduction in perceived stress, with a pooled standardized mean difference of approximately -۰.۵۸, together with small-to-moderate improvements in anxiety and depressive symptoms. Both in-person group programs and online or digital formats proved effective, although traditional face-to-face delivery demonstrated slightly larger effects. Key methodological limitations, including between-study heterogeneity and the difficulty of blinding participants, are critically discussed. The paper concludes that mindfulness represents a practical, low-cost complement to conventional campus mental-health services and outlines directions for future research, particularly concerning long-term maintenance of gains and cultural adaptation. The evidence reviewed here supports the systematic integration of MBIs into university well-being strategies.

کلیدواژه ها:

Mindfulness ، Stress Reduction ، University Students ، Mental Well-being ، Meta-Analysis