Awakened Awareness Online: Results from an Open Trial of a Spiritual–Mind–Body Wellness Intervention for Remote Undergraduate Students

This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the online delivery of a spiritual–mind–body (SMB) wellness intervention previously delivered and validated in person, Awakened Awareness for Adolescents (AA-A), designed for spiritual individuation among emerging-adult undergraduates....

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Main Authors: Elisabeth J. Mistur, Abigail A. Crete, Suza C. Scalora, Micheline R. Anderson, Amy L. Chapman, Lisa Miller
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Psychology International
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2813-9844/7/2/32
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author Elisabeth J. Mistur
Abigail A. Crete
Suza C. Scalora
Micheline R. Anderson
Amy L. Chapman
Lisa Miller
author_facet Elisabeth J. Mistur
Abigail A. Crete
Suza C. Scalora
Micheline R. Anderson
Amy L. Chapman
Lisa Miller
author_sort Elisabeth J. Mistur
collection DOAJ
description This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the online delivery of a spiritual–mind–body (SMB) wellness intervention previously delivered and validated in person, Awakened Awareness for Adolescents (AA-A), designed for spiritual individuation among emerging-adult undergraduates. Undergraduates aged 18–25 (<i>N</i> = 39) participated in an open trial study. Enrollment, retention, and engagement rates were calculated to assess the feasibility of delivering AA-A online. Thematic analysis on qualitative feedback was conducted to assess acceptability. Clinical and spiritual well-being were assessed before and after AA-A delivery using self-report measures and pre-to-post-intervention changes examined. Results were compared to previous findings from AA-A delivered in person. Interactions between sexual and gender minority (SGM) status and AA-A delivery method on spiritual well-being change scores were explored. Significant improvements were seen in anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptoms and spiritual well-being. Affordances and constraints of the online format were identified across three themes. SGM students showed significantly greater improvements than non-SGM students in depression and anxiety symptoms and spiritual well-being. AA-A is feasible and acceptable in an online format and can support students’ spiritual individuation and mental health in a way that is comparable to its in-person format. Furthermore, the online format may be particularly beneficial for SGM students to actively participate and engage.
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spelling doaj-art-89345f33244943868b4d70ef0c6dfa4e2025-08-20T02:21:57ZengMDPI AGPsychology International2813-98442025-04-01723210.3390/psycholint7020032Awakened Awareness Online: Results from an Open Trial of a Spiritual–Mind–Body Wellness Intervention for Remote Undergraduate StudentsElisabeth J. Mistur0Abigail A. Crete1Suza C. Scalora2Micheline R. Anderson3Amy L. Chapman4Lisa Miller5Spirituality Mind Body Institute, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USASpirituality Mind Body Institute, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USASpirituality Mind Body Institute, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USASpirituality Mind Body Institute, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USASpirituality Mind Body Institute, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USASpirituality Mind Body Institute, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USAThis study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the online delivery of a spiritual–mind–body (SMB) wellness intervention previously delivered and validated in person, Awakened Awareness for Adolescents (AA-A), designed for spiritual individuation among emerging-adult undergraduates. Undergraduates aged 18–25 (<i>N</i> = 39) participated in an open trial study. Enrollment, retention, and engagement rates were calculated to assess the feasibility of delivering AA-A online. Thematic analysis on qualitative feedback was conducted to assess acceptability. Clinical and spiritual well-being were assessed before and after AA-A delivery using self-report measures and pre-to-post-intervention changes examined. Results were compared to previous findings from AA-A delivered in person. Interactions between sexual and gender minority (SGM) status and AA-A delivery method on spiritual well-being change scores were explored. Significant improvements were seen in anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptoms and spiritual well-being. Affordances and constraints of the online format were identified across three themes. SGM students showed significantly greater improvements than non-SGM students in depression and anxiety symptoms and spiritual well-being. AA-A is feasible and acceptable in an online format and can support students’ spiritual individuation and mental health in a way that is comparable to its in-person format. Furthermore, the online format may be particularly beneficial for SGM students to actively participate and engage.https://www.mdpi.com/2813-9844/7/2/32spiritual–mind–body wellnesscollege studentsonline learningtelehealthspiritualitysexual and gender minorities
spellingShingle Elisabeth J. Mistur
Abigail A. Crete
Suza C. Scalora
Micheline R. Anderson
Amy L. Chapman
Lisa Miller
Awakened Awareness Online: Results from an Open Trial of a Spiritual–Mind–Body Wellness Intervention for Remote Undergraduate Students
Psychology International
spiritual–mind–body wellness
college students
online learning
telehealth
spirituality
sexual and gender minorities
title Awakened Awareness Online: Results from an Open Trial of a Spiritual–Mind–Body Wellness Intervention for Remote Undergraduate Students
title_full Awakened Awareness Online: Results from an Open Trial of a Spiritual–Mind–Body Wellness Intervention for Remote Undergraduate Students
title_fullStr Awakened Awareness Online: Results from an Open Trial of a Spiritual–Mind–Body Wellness Intervention for Remote Undergraduate Students
title_full_unstemmed Awakened Awareness Online: Results from an Open Trial of a Spiritual–Mind–Body Wellness Intervention for Remote Undergraduate Students
title_short Awakened Awareness Online: Results from an Open Trial of a Spiritual–Mind–Body Wellness Intervention for Remote Undergraduate Students
title_sort awakened awareness online results from an open trial of a spiritual mind body wellness intervention for remote undergraduate students
topic spiritual–mind–body wellness
college students
online learning
telehealth
spirituality
sexual and gender minorities
url https://www.mdpi.com/2813-9844/7/2/32
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