title: Taming the adolescent mind: preliminary report of a mindfulness-based psychological intervention for adolescents with clinical heterogeneous mental health diagnoses.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mindfulness-based interventions such as Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness Cognitive Behavior Therapy (MCBT) have been used to treat adults with psychiatric disorders. This article describes initial modification and development of a mindfulness-based intervention group program for adolescents with psychiatric disorders. It was hypothesized that the intervention would improve mindfulness, mental health outcomes and decrease psychological distress and symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adolescents from a mental health clinic attended a 5-week group pilot mindfulness-based intervention. Adolescents and parents completed questionnaires at pre- and post-intervention and at 3-month follow-up. Baseline measures indicated moderate to severe range of mental health symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the intervention, adolescents reported significant decreases in psychological distress and increases in mindfulness and self-esteem. Qualitative data revealed the intervention to be engaging and beneficial. Parents also reported significant overall improvements of adolescents' functioning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These promising preliminary results suggest that the intervention was feasible, acceptable and offered positive impact on mental health problems, and the intervention warrants further research in a randomized controlled study.
authors.affiliation: Northwest Child and Youth Mental Health Services, Royal Children's Hospital, 49 Corrigan St, Keperra, Brisbane, Australia. lucy_tan@health.qld.gov.au
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001288:Attention; D044362:Australasia; D032763:Behavior Control / Q000379:methods*; D001526:Behavioral Symptoms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D012649:Self Concept; D016896:Treatment Outcome