Effects of a mindfulness-based virtual reality intervention on life satisfaction, happiness, and flourishing in college students: A pilot study

College students experience a wide range of academic, developmental, and societal stressors, placing them at increased risk for psychological distress and poor mental health. Mindfulness-based virtual reality (MBVR) interventions have shown growing promise in supporting student mental well-being. Recent research has called for a shift from solely reducing psychological symptoms toward promoting positive psychological outcomes. Therefore, this pilot study examined the effectiveness of an MBVR program in enhancing life satisfaction, happiness, and flourishing among college students. This study utilized TRIPP, a commercially available VR application. A total of 19 college students participated in eight 15-minute sessions over the course of one month. Survey instruments were administered at two time points: prior to the intervention (T1) and after its completion (T2). Paired samples t-tests revealed statistically significant improvements in participants’ life satisfaction, happiness, and flourishing levels following the intervention. The findings suggest that MBVR holds promise as a proactive and engaging tool for promoting mental well-being in non-clinical, preventive settings such as college campuses. Furthermore, while prior research has primarily focused on alleviating symptoms such as anxiety and depression, this study contributes to the literature by demonstrating that MBVR can also enhance positive psychological outcomes. Future research should utilize larger, more diverse samples to improve the generalizability of these findings. Several practical implications for educators and practitioners are discussed.