Mindfulness Program for Reducing Negative Affect in Youth
(YMAP2 Trial)
Trial Summary
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Youth Mindful Awareness Program (YMAP2) for reducing negative affect in youth?
Research shows that mindfulness programs in schools can help improve emotional areas like anxiety and wellbeing in children and adolescents. Additionally, mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to reduce negative emotional reactions and improve mental health indicators in adolescents, suggesting potential benefits for treatments like YMAP2.12345
Is the Mindfulness Program for Reducing Negative Affect in Youth safe for participants?
Research on mindfulness programs for youth, including those at risk, suggests they are generally safe and can improve mental, behavioral, and physical outcomes. These programs have been implemented in schools and have shown promise in reducing stress and trauma-related symptoms without significant safety concerns.16789
How is the Youth Mindful Awareness Program (YMAP2) treatment different from other treatments for reducing negative affect in youth?
The Youth Mindful Awareness Program (YMAP2) is unique because it focuses on mindfulness, which involves being present and accepting one's thoughts and feelings, to help young people manage stress and negative emotions. Unlike traditional therapies, YMAP2 emphasizes meditation and mindfulness exercises to improve emotional regulation and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.25101112
What is the purpose of this trial?
The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to compare the effects of an online mindfulness program to an active supportive comparison condition and a no-intervention control group on reducing and preventing mood and anxiety symptoms in at-risk youth. Youth who are high on trait negative affect will be randomized to one of the three conditions. The primary outcomes of interest are reductions in momentary negative affect and internalizing problems in adolescents ages 12 to 17 years old. All participants will be evaluated prior to being randomized, after the 9-session intervention period, and at a 6-month follow-up.The first hypothesis is that the mindfulness intervention will predict decreases in stressor-reactive momentary negative affect and internalizing symptoms. The second hypothesis is that changes in momentary negative affect will partially account for the effects of the mindfulness intervention on internalizing symptoms.
Research Team
Megan M Saylor, PhD
Principal Investigator
Vanderbilt University
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for at-risk youth aged 12 to 17 who often feel negative emotions like sadness or anxiety. They'll be randomly placed into one of three groups: an online mindfulness program, a supportive comparison condition, or no intervention.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants engage in an online, coached mindfulness program or a supportive active comparison intervention for nine 30-minute weekly sessions
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in momentary negative affect and internalizing symptoms
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Youth Mindful Awareness Program
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Vanderbilt University
Lead Sponsor
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborator