THE EFFECT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN PERFORMANCE DEPARTMENT (HHP) ACTIVITY CLASSES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA ON STUDENTS’ LEVELS OF MINDFULNESS, PERCEIVED STRESS, SELF-COMPASSION, AND ATTENTION

Abstract

This study examined the effect of University of Montana, Health and Human Performance (HHP) Department sponsored activity classes on college students’ levels of mindfulness, perceived stress, self-compassion, and attention. Participants: 96 college students enrolled in a spring 2013 activity class started the study, however only 41 completed the post-test survey. Methods: At the beginning and end of the semester, participants completed an online survey through SurveyMonkey, which assessed students’ levels of mindfulness, perceived stress, self-compassion and attention. Results: Students who participated in the mindfulness based activity class, Yoga and Meditation experienced the greatest increases in overall mindfulness levels over the course of the semester. Additionally, the mindfulness based activity class, Introduction to Yoga had the greatest decreases in stress; the mindfulness based activity class Yoga and Meditation had the greatest increases in self-compassion; and the mindfulness based activity class Yoga and Medication had the greatest increases in attention levels over the course of the semester. Conclusions: This study provides encouraging data to suggest that mindfulness based activity classes, such as Yoga, Meditation and Tai Chi can effectively increase mindfulness in a relatively short time frame with college students. Additionally, non-mindfulness based activity, such as Rock Climbing and General Fitness may also be an effective way to decrease stress with the college student population