Effect of mindfulness in reducing aggression and impulsivity in adolescents

Aggression and impulsivity are major challenges posed to adolescents and their families. Many medicinal and behavioral interventions have been conducted to control impulsivity and aggression. Mindfulness is a cognitive-behavioral intervention that can be effective in controlling these behaviors. The present study thus aims to assess the effect of mindfulness in reducing aggression and impulsivity in adolescents by using the pretest-posttest approach and control group. The statistical population consisted of the entire population of 15-17 year-old female high school students, 168 of whom were selected through the multi-stage sampling method to undergo a screening process, which ultimately resulted in the selection of 50 students who were then divided into a trial and control group. Data were collected using the barratt impulsivity scale and the aggression questionnaire. The mindfulness program (8 sessions a week) was based on stress reduction and the cognitive-behavioral therapy model. Before conducting the main study, validity of the mindfulness program was ensured through running a preliminary study on a sample of 20 adolescents. Once the intervention ended, the levels of impulsivity and aggression were assessed and recorded in both groups. The analysis of covariance was used to analyze the data. The results confirmed the effect of mindfulness therapy in reducing aggression and impulsivity in adolescents.