Abstract

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI's) and courses have emerged as widely recognized approaches for promoting mental health, improving cognitive functioning, and fostering overall well-being. This pilot study explored the effects of a 15-session, online, structured mindfulness course on sustained attention and subjective well-being, utilizing both objective and subjective measures. The study aimed to determine whether participants' sustained attention, assessed via a smooth pursuit eye movement (SPEM) task, improved after completing the online course. Subjective attention was measured using the Attentional Control Scale (ACS) and a single item from the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), while subjective well-being was assessed using the Survey on Flourishing (SURF). A randomized controlled design was employed, with participants assigned to either the intervention group (Mindfulness for Humans course) or a control group receiving psychoeducational resources. Results showed no significant improvement in objective sustained attention (SPEM) or subjective attention control (ACS, ASRS) from pre- to post-intervention compared to the control group. However, increased course engagement was associated with higher post-intervention well-being scores, highlighting the importance of participant engagement in online MBI's and courses. Although the course did not yield significant differences in attention measures between groups, both groups showed improvements in subjective well-being over time. These findings suggest that while a brief online mindfulness course may offer benefits in well-being, maximizing engagement could be critical for enhancing its effectiveness.

Degree

MS

College and Department

Family, Home, and Social Sciences; Psychology

Rights

https://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/

Date Submitted

2025-04-18

Document Type

Thesis

Handle

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/etd13603

Keywords

online mindfulness course, eye-tracking, well-being, sustained attention, and randomized controlled trial (RCT)

Language

english

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