Investigating Adherence to an Online Introductory Mindfulness Program

A growing body of empirical research supports the position that mindfulness-based interventions are effective in treating psychological problems, as well as benefiting healthy individuals. The current study used a sample of undergraduate students at a public university with no prior meditation experience (n = 169). Adherence predictors, benefits, and obstacles experienced during a 10 session online mindfulness meditation (MM) intervention were examined. Level of motivation, as well as conscientiousness and trait mindfulness, predicted the level of adherence. The current study also found that adherent and non-adherent participants did not significantly differ in the number and severity of obstacles experienced. Results also show that brief online MM interventions can increase mindfulness and psychological flexibility in adherent individuals. However, these findings should be viewed in the context of high attrition rates and small effect sizes.