Online ISSN: 2325-7466
2006
Triannual
National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET)
United States

Articles

Mindfulness Meditation with High School Students who Receive Special Education Services: Research Recommendations from a Pilot Study

  • Ernest Solar, Ph.D. (Author) Mount St. Mary’s University image/svg+xml
    Ernest Solar, Ph.D. Ernest is an assistant professor of special education at Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. His research focuses on the use of mindfulness in the classroom for students with disabilities, with veteran teachers to increase self-efficacy, and incorporation into a teacher preparation program.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.64546/jaasep.360
Abstract
Research has shown evidence that mindfulness-based meditation practices are effective treatment interventions for mental, emotional, and medical disabilities in the adult population. There has been a limited number of research studies showing the effectiveness of meditation practices with high school students who receive special education services. This randomized waitlist control pilot study was designed to assess the effect of mindfulness meditation practice with 10 secondary students who receive special education services. The independent variable was a mindfulness meditation technique that was delivered as an afterschool program. Analysis of the dependent variable measurement of perceived stress demonstrated a medium effect size with Cohen’s d = -0.46 and a low effect size for anxiety with d = -0.22 between the pretest and posttest measurements. Lastly, the paper concludes with research recommendations when studying mindfulness meditation with high school students who receive special education services. These recommendations include implementing a contemplative program versus a contemplative technique with ample interaction time exceeding 700 minutes and a group discussion for the participants to process their experiences related to mindfulness.
Keywords
After School Programs, Attention Control, Effect Size, Emotional Disturbances, High School Students, Learning Disabilities
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How to Cite
Solar, E. (2018). Mindfulness Meditation with High School Students who Receive Special Education Services: Research Recommendations from a Pilot Study. Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals, 13(1), 146-161. https://doi.org/10.64546/jaasep.360

Winter 2018

Article Information

  • Article Type Articles
  • Submitted December 9, 2017
  • Published February 15, 2018
  • Issue Winter 2018
  • Section Articles
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