Promoting Stress Management and Engagement in Introductory Physics Courses with Mindfulness and Relaxation

Browse trials for

• Stress, Psychological 806
• Emotional Regulation 239

Keywords

• Mindfulness
• Physics Education
• Psychological Challenge and Threat
• Engagement
• Motivation
• Relaxation

Stress, Psychological

806 studies on the registry are indexed under Stress, Psychological; 131 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 303 is above the median of 84 across 651 interventional studies indexed under Stress, Psychological.

Lead sponsor

University of Pittsburgh is the lead sponsor of 1,414 studies on the registry; 168 are open to participants now.

Of its 8 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 4 (50%) have results posted.

Study arms

• Active comparator
  Mindfulness Training

  5-lesson audio-guided mindfulness training program delivered over 5 consecutive days, with two additional writing activities on day 1 and day 5

  Behavioral: Mindfulness

• Active comparator
  Relaxation Training

  5-lesson audio-guided relaxation training program delivered over 5 consecutive days, with two additional writing activities on day 1 and day 5

  Behavioral: Relaxation

Interventions

• BehavioralMindfulness

  Training is focused on learning and applying the principles of R.A.I.N. (Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Non-identify) in the context of physics learning.

• BehavioralRelaxation

  Training is focused on learning and applying relaxation practices (e.g., progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery) in the context of physics learning.

Primary outcomes

1. Mean Change in Daily Physics Emotions from baseline up to 1 week post-intervention assessed via Daily Diary Self-Report

   Daily Physics Emotions measured using 12 self-report items with Likert scale from 0 (not at all) to 4 (an extreme amount). Daily Physics Emotions are calculated by averaging daily emotion items, with scores closer to 4 indicating experiencing more extreme emotions in physics.

   Time frame: From enrollment up to 1 week post-intervention

2. Mean Change in Daily Responses to Physics Emotions from baseline up to 1 week post-intervention assessed via Daily Diary Self-Report

   Daily reappraisal, perspective shifting, and relaxation measured using 6 self-report items with Likert scale from 0 (not at all true) to 4 (completely true). Composite scores for reappraisal, perspective shifting, and relaxation are calculated as an average of all items for each subscale, respectively. Daily responses to emotions ranges from 0 to 4, with higher scores indicating greater use of reappraisal, perspective shifting, or relaxation.

   Time frame: From enrollment up to 1 week post-intervention

3. Mean Change in Daily Threat vs. Challenge Appraisals from baseline up to 1 week post-intervention assessed via Daily Diary Self-Report

   Daily Threat vs. Challenge Appraisals measured using 3 self-report items about threat, challenge, and confidence with regarding to unpleasant physics emotions with Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree).

   Time frame: From enrollment up to 1 week post-intervention

4. Mean Change in Daily Physics Engagement from baseline up to 1 week post-intervention assessed via Daily Diary Self-Report

   Degree to which students felt engaged in and motivated to learn physics on a daily basis. Measured using 2 self-report items measured with Likert scale from 1 (not at all motivated/engaged) to 6 (extremely motivated/engaged). Daily engagement is calculated by averaging both items, with scores closer to 6 indicating more greater physics engagement.

   Time frame: From enrollment up to 1 week post-intervention

Secondary outcomes

1. State Presence assessed via Ecological Momentary Assessment

   Experiences of decentering and curiosity, measured using 6 self-report items with Likert scale from 0 (not at all) to 4 (very much). State presence is calculated by averaging decentering and curiosity items, with scores closer to 4 indicating greater state presence.

   Time frame: during intervention, five days

2. State Relaxation assessed via Ecological Momentary Assessment

   Experiences of relaxation, measured using 3 self-report items with Likert scale from 0 (not at all) to 4 (very much). State relaxation is calculated by averaging relaxation items, with scores closer to 4 indicating greater state relaxation.

   Time frame: during intervention, five days

3. State Physics Anxiety assessed via Ecological Momentary Assessment

   Current level of anxiety about physics measured using 1 self-report item with Likert scale from 0 (not at all) to 4 (very much), with scores closer to 4 indicating higher anxiety about physics.

   Time frame: during intervention, five days

4. Mean Change in Physics Anxiety from baseline up to 3 months post-intervention assessed via Self-Report

   Anxiety evaluation or learning while doing physics work, measured using 8 self-report items with Likert scale from 1 (low anxiety) to 5 (high anxiety). Physics anxiety is calculated as an average of all of the items for each subscale, respectively. Physics anxiety ranges from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater physics anxiety.

   Time frame: From enrollment, up to 3 months post-intervention

5. Mean Change in Psychological Threat vs. Challenge from baseline up to 3 months post-intervention assessed via Self-Report

   Psychological Threat vs. Challenge, measured using 11 self-report items with Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). Psychological threat is calculated by subtracting average of physics demands from average of physics resources. Difference score ranges from -5 to 5, with scores above zero indicating psychological threat and scores of 0 or lower indicating psychological challenge.

   Time frame: From enrollment, up to 3 months post-intervention

6. Mean Change in Unpleasant Emotions-Can-Be-Enhancing Mindset from baseline up to 3 months post-intervention assessed via Self-Report

   Belief that unpleasant emotions are a signal that learning and growth are possible, measured using 3 self-report items with Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). Unpleasant Emotions-Can-Be-Enhancing mindset is calculated as an average of all items ranging from 1 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater endorsement of this mindset.

   Time frame: From enrollment, up to 3 months post-intervention

7. Mean Change in Physics Self-Efficacy from baseline up to 3 months post-intervention assessed via Self-Report

   Belief of efficacy with respect to physics skills and abilities, measured using 5 self-report items with Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). Physics Self-Efficacy is calculated as an average of all items from 1 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater self-efficacy in physics.

   Time frame: From enrollment, up to 3 months post-intervention

8. Mean Change in Physics Belonging from baseline up to 3 months post-intervention assessed via Self-Report

   Student's sense of belonging in their physics course, measured using 5 self-report items with Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). Physics Belonging is calculated as an average of all items from 1 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater sense of belonging in physics.

   Time frame: From enrollment, up to 3 months post-intervention

9. Mean Change in Metacognitive strategies from baseline up to 3 months post-intervention assessed via Self-Report

   Metacognitive strategies, measured using 7 self-report items with Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). Metacognitive strategies are calculated as an average of all items, ranging from 1 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater use of metacognitive strategies.

   Time frame: From enrollment, up to 3 months post-intervention

10. Mean Change in Physics Intelligence Mindset from baseline up to 3 months post-intervention assessed via Self-Report

    Belief that intelligence and abilities for physics can be developed through dedication and hard work, measured using 3 self-report items with Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). Growth mindset is calculated as an average of all items ranging from 1 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater growth mindset and lower scores indicating greater fixed mindset.

    Time frame: From enrollment, up to 3 months post-intervention

11. Mean Change in Cognitive Effort from baseline up to 3 months post-intervention assessed via Self-Report

    Cognitive effort, measured using 4 self-report items with Likert scale from (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). Cognitive effort is calculated as an average of all items, ranging from 1 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater cognitive effort.

    Time frame: From enrollment, up to 3 months post-intervention

12. Mean Change in Physics Identity from baseline up to 3 months post-intervention assessed via Self-Report

    The degree by which students associate their self-concept with physics, measured using 4 self-report items with Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). Physics Identity is calculated as an average of all items from 1 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater identification with physics.

    Time frame: From enrollment, up to 3 months post-intervention

13. Mean Change in Proactive Mindset from baseline up to 3 months post-intervention assessed via Self-Report

    Proactive mindset, measured using 6 self-report items with Likert scale from 1 (not at all) to 5 (very much). Proactive mindset is calculated as an average of all items, with higher scores indicating greater proactive mindset.

    Time frame: From enrollment, up to 3 months post-intervention

14. Mean Change in Cognitive Problem-Solving Strategies from baseline up to 3 months post-intervention assessed via Self-Report

    Use of explanation and analogy as problem solving strategies when working on physics, measured using 6 self-report items with Likert scale from (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). Each subscale is calculated as an average of all of the items for each subscale, respectively. Cognitive problem-solving strategies range from 1 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater use of explanation or analogy problem solving strategies.

    Time frame: From enrollment, up to 3 months post-intervention

15. Mean Change in Physics Value from baseline up to 3 months post-intervention assessed via Self-Report

    Perceived interest in and utility value of learning physics, measured using 2 self-report items with Likert scale from 1 to 6. Physics Value is calculated as an average of both items from 1 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater perceived value of learning physics.

    Time frame: From enrollment, up to 3 months post-intervention

16. Performance on Physics problem solving Tasks

    Physics problem solving tasks that range in difficulty covering content from introductory physics. Each item is scored for accuracy and solution time. Multiple choice items are scored as correct or incorrect. Accuracy scores are averaged across the items with higher scores indicating better physics performance.

    Time frame: 3 days post-intervention

17. Performance on the Preparation for Future Learning Task

    Physics problem solving tasks that include new learning resources (e.g., a worked example) and a transfer task. Each item is scored for accuracy and latency. Explanation items are scored on a rubric. Accuracy scores are summed across items with higher scores indicating better physics learning. Latencies will be examined for how much time was spent with the learning resource and time spent solving the problems.

    Time frame: 3 days post-intervention

18. Judgments of confidence, difficulty, and self-efficacy during the physics problem solving and Preparation for Future Learning tasks assessed via Self-Report

    Judgments of confidence, difficulty, and self-efficacy during physics problem solving, with each subscale measured using self-report items with Likert scale from 1 to 6. Each subscale is calculated as an average of all of the items, with higher scores indicating greater confidence, difficulty, and self-efficacy respectively.

    Time frame: 3 days post-intervention

19. Problem selection on a Make-a-Physics task

    Physics problem solving tasks that range in difficulty from more to less challenging. Participants select problems to be included on a work sheet. Scores are calculated by summing the number of problems selected for each problem type.

    Time frame: 3 days post-intervention

Other outcomes

1. Performance in Physics Class

   End-of-course grades measured via school records. Higher grades indicate higher classroom performance.

   Time frame: End of semester following intervention, approximately 12 weeks

2. Retention in Physics Classes

   Enrollment in second semester of introductory physics course sequence measured via official school records. Scored dichotomously, 1 for enrolling second semester physics and 0 for not.

   Time frame: End of semester following intervention, approximately 7 months

3. Mean Change in Mindfulness from baseline up to 3 months post-intervention assessed via Self-Report

   Trait decentering and curiosity, measured using 13 self-report items with Likert scale from 0 (not at all) to 5 (very much). Trait mindfulness is calculated as an average of all items, ranging from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater mindful decentering and curiosity; will also be used as a covariate or moderator.

   Time frame: From enrollment, up to 3 months post-intervention

4. Mean Change in Rational-Experiential Ability from baseline up to 3 months post-intervention assessed via Self-Report

   Trait rational-experiential ability, measured using 10 self-report items with Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). Each subscale is calculated as an average of all of the items for each subscale, respectively. Higher scores indicate greater rational or experiential thinking abilities.

   Time frame: From enrollment, up to 3 months post-intervention

5. Mean Change in Knowledge Transfer from baseline up to 3 months post-intervention assessed via Self-Report

   General self-reported learning and transfer strategies, measured using 5 self-report items with Likert scale from (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). Physics Transfer is calculated as an average of all items, ranging from 1 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater use of learning and transfer strategies.

   Time frame: From enrollment, up to 3 months post-intervention

6. Treatment Expectancy assessed via Self-Report

   Perception of credibility and expected efficacy of training, measured using 4 self-report items with Likert scale from 1 (not at all) to 5 (very much). Each subscale is calculated as an average of all of the items for each subscale, respectively. Higher scores indicate greater perceived credibility or efficacy of the training.

   Time frame: 3 days post-intervention

7. Intervention Attention Check Questions assessed via Ecological Momentary Assessment

   Multiple choice questions gauging the attentiveness to the intervention audio. Each item is scored for accuracy, as correct or incorrect.

   Time frame: during intervention, five days

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Yes — Deidentified data and materials required to reproduce results reported in publications will be available to researchers.

Supporting information: Analytic code

Time frame: Data, materials, and analytic code required to reproduce results will be shared upon publication.

Access criteria: Data, materials, and analytic code will be shared on Open Science Framework (or other online repository).