Piloting the Efficacy of a Mindfulness-Based Discussion Approach to Enhance Adolescents' Social Emotional Learning

• In Event: Fairmont Roundtable Session Seven
  In Roundtable Session: Exploring Varied Approaches to Social and Emotional Learning in Grade School Classrooms (Table 11)

Abstract

Adolescence is a critical period for intervention to promote social emotional competencies and prevent the onset of life-long challenges. We conducted a pilot study of a mindfulness-based discussion program in a middle school. Twenty-one students participated in the program, co-implemented by teacher-researcher, and occurred for 45 min-once a week, over 8 weeks. We found that students’ self-control significantly increased at posttest compared to pretest. Negative correlations between levels of mindfulness and difficulties with emotional regulation and problem behaviors also became stronger at post-test than at pre-test. Students overall experienced more positive and relaxed emotional states after each session. This program is an advancement in the nature of social emotional interventions by featuring experiential learning as a way to help students.

Authors

• Manisha Naresh Nagpal, The Ohio State University
  Presenting Author

• Tzu-Jung Lin, The Ohio State University
  Presenting Author

• Eric M. Anderman, The Ohio State University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Thomas Bihari, The Ohio State University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Leon Madrid, The Ohio State University
  Non-Presenting Author