Our findings do not support an introduction of large-scale mindfulness interventions in schools although the potential influence of mode of delivery needs to be further examined.

The gap

Consensus across the literature

Supporting evidence — 8 representative gaps

• Examining the Impact of a Mindfulness Program on Anxiety in Pediatric Alopecia Areata (2026) · doi

  Mindfulness‐based stress‐reduction therapies have emerged as a potential intervention and have shown promising results, though studies of efficacy in adolescent populations are lacking.

  Keywords: mindfulness based stress reduction therapies emerged potential intervention promising though efficacy adolescent populations lacking
• Mindfulness interventions in schools: Integrity and feasibility of implementation (2019) · doi

  Recent reviews of studies evaluating the efficacy of school-based mindfulness programs have produced mixed findings, which may in part be due to methodological differences across studies to date, as well as adaptations of MBIs in order to implement them within school settings.

  Keywords: school recent reviews evaluating efficacy based mindfulness programs produced mixed part methodological differences across date
• Developmental changes in mindful awareness during adolescence (2019) · doi

  Despite abundant research on the benefits of dispositional mindfulness and mindfulness-based interventions, little is known about the naturally occurring developmental course of mindful awareness.

  Keywords: mindfulness despite abundant benefits dispositional based interventions little known naturally occurring developmental course mindful awareness
• Review: Meta‐analysis on mindfulness‐based interventions for adolescents' stress, depression, and anxiety in school settings: a cautionary tale (2022) · doi

  BACKGROUND: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been applied in school settings for adolescents with symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety; however, general conclusions of the efficacy of such interventions remain unclear.

  Keywords: interventions background mindfulness based mbis applied school settings adolescents symptoms stress depression anxiety general conclusions
• Mindfulness as a Potential Moderator Between Child Behavior Problems and Maternal Well-Being (2023) · doi

  Benefits of mindfulness-based programs may be general rather than specifically in the context of high child behavior problems, given the lack of evidence for the moderating function of mindfulness.

  Keywords: mindfulness benefits based programs general rather specifically context high child behavior problems given lack evidence
• A Component of Mindfulness: Attention (2024) · doi

  The studies on attention and mindfulness seem to have more inconsistent results when conducted with adults, whereas the studies in adolescents and children seem to have more consistent results revealing that mindfulness-based interventions improve the attentional skills of the youth.

  Keywords: mindfulness seem attention inconsistent conducted adults adolescents children consistent revealing based interventions improve attentional skills
• Mindfulness training in early childhood education (2023) · doi

  While surveys on the use of mindfulness with children are scarce at present, this type of research is increasing among educators and psychologists targeting primary school level and beyond.

  Keywords: surveys mindfulness children scarce present type increasing among educators psychologists targeting primary school level beyond
• Reducing Reactivity: The Influence of Classroom Mindfulness Practice on Gifted Children (2024) · doi

  Although mindfulness has been researched in detail with adult populations and to a lesser extent with children, very few studies exist that explore the use of mindfulness with young gifted children.

  Keywords: mindfulness children researched detail adult populations lesser extent exist explore young gifted