Mindfulness and Adolescence

22.5.2017

Adolescence can be a time of deep confusion and emotional distress. With 75% of mental health problems developing before the age of 25 and half by the age of 15, it’s clear that young people need more tools at their disposal to cope with how they feel so they can lead a happy life.

For most people, however it’s not until they’re experiencing stress in adulthood or suffering a trauma that they discover mindfulness as a way of coping. But with the most common age for the development of depression now being between 13 and 15, it makes sense to give young people access to mindfulness training to use as a preventative measure. There is evidence to suggest that mindfulness training helps teenagers cope with many aspects of how they feel and their lives.

Depression, problem solving and resilience

Over the next 7 years, a group of researchers at Oxford University will conduct a study involving almost 7000 11-16 year olds to assess whether mindfulness training helps prevent depression and supports the development of resilience. At the core of this work is the hope that mindfulness will help teenagers to function more effectively by giving them better mental control, problem-solving skills and coping strategies for day to day emotional stress.

This is an important study because positive outcomes will hopefully persuade policy makers to make mindfulness more available to young people.

Working memory

Some evidence suggests mindfulness training could help teenagers with their working memory, which in turn could improve academic success. One study split 198 students, aged between 12 to 15, into three groups: one practicing daily mindfulness, another yoga and the third group stuck to their usual routine. The students practicing mindfulness had a marked improvement in their working memory capacity, and that has positive implications for learning.

Positive emotions and social success

A slightly older study, found that adolescents who were naturally mindful or who practiced mindfulness had more positive emotions, were more popular with their peers and were less likely to have negative emotions - such as anxiety or depression. The observed behaviour in the mindful subjects was generally more positive, and that led to greater social success.

Physical well-being

Yet another study looked at the effect of mindfulness training on a group of adolescents at risk of cardiovascular disease. After a twelve-week course in meditation, there was a marked lowering of blood pressure and heart rate, which in theory lowered their risk of developing heart problems.

Improving the cognitive, emotional, physical well being and social competence of most teenagers is life-changing and transformative. If mindfulness training was more readily available, evidence suggests that young people would cope better with the raft of issues they face.

We’re only just beginning to understand the positive effects that mindfulness training can have on a developing brain. Hopefully as more research is gathered, stakeholders will make the necessary decisions to make mindfulness a part of everyday teenage life.

To find out how mindfulness training could help you and those you care about contact michael@mindfulnessworks.com or call (+44) 01223 750660