Enhancing mindfulness interventions for test anxiety: A perspective based on the NIH stage model

Subjects: Psychology >> Clinical and Counseling Psychology submitted time 2023-07-13

XU Shaoqing LIU Xinhua ZHANG Huiping LI Bo TANG Xinfeng QU Gaiping  BAO Yuqin ZHAO Junping FU Zhongfang

Abstract： Because interventions to reduce test anxiety’s detrimental consequences have remained ineffective, the academic community has begun to introduce the concept of mindfulness into such interventions following the concept’s repeated validation. The NIH stage model, aimed at promoting the implementation and dissemination of psychological interventions, divides the development of interventions into six stages: basic research, intervention generation and refinement, efficacy testing, mixed efficacy–effectiveness testing, effectiveness testing, and implementation and dissemination. In our study, we therefore organized past studies on mindfulness-based interventions for test anxiety according to the NIH’s model. First, we explored the potential mechanism underlying mindfulness when it comes to treating test anxiety. Second, we summarized three dominant approaches, labeled “initial evaluation of treatment,” “refinement of intervention,” and “promotion of implementation and dissemination,” all rooted in previous evidence. Last, considering the NIH’s model and the uniqueness of mindfulness as an intervetion, we encourage future research focused on exploring the mechanism of change and implementing pragmatic research while being sensitive to four aspects of recent studies on mindfulness: the inclusion of open monitoring, the proper assessment of treatment adherence, increasing attention to how mindful attitudes are learned, and the possible influence of different understandings of self between Western and Eastern cultures.

YES

 Hits 2757  Downloads 225  Comment