Research Team: Kimberly Schonert-Reichl, Robert Roeser, Adele Diamond, Tim Oberlander, Molly Lawlor, Eva Oberle, Jenna Whitehead, Jennifer Kitil, and Jacqueline Maloney
Participants: Children Ages 9 -12 (Grades 4 to 7) and their teachers
Location: Coquitlam School District and Vancouver School District
Description: Over the last decade, the SEL lab has conducted several studies examining the implementation, acceptability, and outcomes of MindUP – a mindfulness-based SEL program.
Our latest study was a randomized controlled trial conducted at three time points over the 2011-12 school year. It evaluated the single and joint effectiveness of two mindfulness-based intervention programs: one for teachers (SMART-in-Education), and one for elementary school students administered in the classroom by their teachers (MindUp). We employed a battery of self-report, teacher-report, and peer-report measures of students’ social-emotional competencies, self-compassion, and mindful awareness. Additionally, students completed computer tasks to measure executive functioning, and provided cortisol samples as biological measures of stress. Teachers filled out implementation calendars to keep track of program fidelity. Both teachers and students who participated in MindUP completed consumer satisfaction surveys outlining their perceptions and experiences with the program. Follow-up data was conducted a year later. Data are currently being analyzed.
In 2014, we will begin a longitudinal follow up study with students who took part in a study on MindUP in 2008 when they were in 4th and 5th grade.
Findings: Schonert-Reichl, K. A., & Lawlor, M. S. (2010). The effects of a mindfulness-based education program on pre- and early adolescents well-being and social and emotional competence. Mindfulness, 1, 137-151.
Funding: These studies were made possible through funding by the Hawn Foundation and the Mind and Life Institute