Putting Your Mind at Ease: The Mindfulness Ambassador Council in Toronto Area Schools Findings

Putting Your Mind at Ease: The Mindfulness Ambassador Council

in Toronto Area SchoolsFindings

JANUARY 2013Conducted by Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social WorkUniversity of Toronto

Our Research

Executive Summary University of Toronto’s recent research of our youth program demonstrated that at the conclusion of the Mindfulness Ambassador Council (MAC), participants were applying what they learned about mindfulness into their daily lives and almost three-quarters of the

participants found the MAC program to be highly valuable.

Our Research

Learning & Scientific Theories that have inspired our curriculum and research include:• Social and Emotional Learning - non-cognitive factors, self and social awareness• Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction – physical health, and well-being• Neuroscience – Neuroplasticity and brain development

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Our Research

Student Demographics• The MAC program was conducted with 150 students in grades 11 and 12 over a 12- week period. • Eighty program participants responded to the survey. • The group was comprised of 76% female; 24% male, with an average age of 17 years.

Our Research

Research Measures • Five Facet Mindfulness Scale (Baer et al., 2004)• Positive Youth Development Scale (Lerner et al., 2005)• Trait Meta-Mood Scale (Salovey et al., 1995)• Revised Child Anxiety & Depression Scale (Chorpita et al., 2000)

Pre & Post Analysis

Students’ observing skills, which include awareness of, or attending to, internal & external stimuli, such as sensations, emotions & cognitions were more likely to improve after their participation in the MAC program (p<0.05).

Findings Five Facet Mindfulness Scale

Pre & Post Analysis

Findings Positive Youth Development Scale

Students’ character (respect for cultural/societal rules & standards for morality, & acting with integrity) & confidence (internal sense of self worth or self efficacy) were more likely to improve after participating in the MAC program (p<0.05).

Pre & Post Analysis

Findings Trait Meta-Mood Scale

Students’ emotional clarity (clarity in discrimination of feelings) was more likely to improve after participating in the MAC program (p<0.05).

Pre & Post Analysis

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Findings Revised Childhood Anxiety & Depression Scale

After participating in the MAC program, students showed a decline in social phobia scores (p<0.05) & in generalized anxiety scores (p<0.001). The students’ scores declined for all other anxiety disorders & depression although the reductions were not statistically significant.

Our Research

Findings At end of MAC, areas in which students were mostly applying skills:

1. To work with others2. To improve relationships with others3. To be calm & relaxed4. To manage stress/anxiety5. To cope with challenges

Females applying MAC skills to the area of coping with feeling sad more than males (77% versus 53%)

For more information, contactleah@mwithoutborders.org

or visit us online

www.mindfulnesswithoutborders.org