Browsing by Author "Manuel Aguilar Parra, Jose"

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    Effects of a mindfulness intervention in Chilean high schoolers
    (SOC MEDICA SANTIAGO, 2017) Langer, Alvaro I.; Schmidt, Carlos; Manuel Aguilar Parra, Jose; Cid, Cristian; Magni, Antonella
    Background: Mindfulness has been conceptualized as paying attention to present moment experience in a non-judgmental manner, and the practice of developing that skill. Aim: To determine the impact of a mindfulness-based intervention on negative emotional states of anxiety, stress, and depression in Chilean high schoolers. Material and Methods: Eighty-eight teenagers aged 13 +/- 0.6 years (46 females) were randomly assigned to a mindfulness group or a control (41 and 47, respectively). The mindfulness intervention consisted in eight weekly 45-minute sessions. A depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21) was applied at baseline, after the intervention, and at three and six-month follow-up. Results: There was a significant reduction in anxiety, depression, and general symptomatology in the experimental group compared to the control group. However, these changes were not sustained at follow-up. Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest the feasibility and effectiveness of a mindfulness intervention in Chilean schools as a strategy to reduce negative emotional states and prevent risk factors in adolescent population groups.