Mindfulness and Perceived Stress Among English Language Students in Uzbekistan

The current study investigated the effective of mindfulness training versus study skills training on perceived stress among Uzbek English language students. The researchers conducted a quasi-experimental study using a convenience sample of sixty 2nd year students studying English as a foreign language at a large public university in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. One group of students (n = 30) received mindfulness training while the other group served as an active control group (n = 30) and received study skills training. Both groups received 20-minute training in their English classes, four days a week, for 4-weeks. All participants completed pre- and post-intervention questionnaires, which measured perceived stress using the Perceived Stress Scale-10 and mindfulness using the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale and the Five Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire. Results showed no significant difference between the groups on any post-intervention measure. Further analyses indicated both groups experienced a statistically significant decrease in stress from pre- to post-intervention (Z = -2.692, p r = -.45) and post-intervention (r = -.51), statistically significant at the p < .001 level for both. This is a significant contribution to the field as this is a population that has not previously been studied in regard to mindfulness and stress.