The Effectiveness of a Brief Mindfulness-Based Program for Social Work Students in Two Separate Modules: Traditional and Online

Purpose This study aimed to design a brief mindfulness-based training program for social work students and examine its effectiveness and working mechanisms.Method The study used a quantitative approach to examine the program's effectiveness for 101 undergraduate social work students in two separate modules (traditional classroom-based and online).Results One-way analysis of covariance revealed statistically significant reductions in depression, anxiety, stress, and rumination, and improvements in self-compassion and mindfulness among the intervention groups compared to the waitlist control groups. Mediation analyses showed that mindfulness, rumination, and self-compassion were mediators of the intervention effects.Discussion The brief mindfulness program can be used as an effective and introductory mindfulness program for undergraduate social work students in either classroom-based or online modules. Alternations in mindfulness, rumination, and self-compassion can be considered as possible working mechanisms.