A Self-Guided App-Based Mindfulness Intervention for Racially and Ethnically Minoritized Individuals Who Experience
Giovanni Ramos1, Amanda K Montoya2, Adrian Aguilera3,4
1Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, 2121 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, CA, 94704, United States, 1 5106425292.
Journal of Medical Internet Research
|May 14, 2026
Summary
Racially and ethnically minoritized individuals (REMs) experienced reduced stress, anxiety, and depression using a mindfulness digital mental health intervention (DMHI). This app-based mindfulness DMHI is an effective and feasible strategy for improving mental health in REMs.
Area of Science:
- Mental Health
- Digital Health Interventions
- Mindfulness
Background:
- Racially and ethnically minoritized individuals (REMs) face increased risk of stress, anxiety, and depression due to discrimination.
- Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) offer accessible evidence-based treatments like mindfulness for these groups.
- REMs are underrepresented in DMHI research, limiting understanding of their effectiveness for mental health equity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a 4-week app-based mindfulness DMHI in reducing discrimination-related stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms among REMs.
- To assess the feasibility of the DMHI, including uptake, engagement, dropout rates, and participant satisfaction.
- To compare the mindfulness DMHI against treatment as usual (TAU).
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial with 155 REM participants assigned to either the DMHI or TAU.
- Participants in the DMHI group used a self-guided app for daily meditation over 4 weeks.
- Outcomes measured included stress, anxiety, depression, and feasibility metrics (usage, satisfaction).
Main Results:
- The DMHI group showed significantly greater reductions in stress, anxiety, and depression compared to the TAU group.
- High engagement was observed, with 100% of DMHI participants using the app and completing a substantial number of meditations.
- The intervention was perceived as satisfactory, despite a higher dropout rate in the DMHI group.
Conclusions:
- The app-based mindfulness DMHI is an effective strategy for mitigating mental health issues stemming from discrimination in REMs.
- The intervention demonstrates feasibility for this population, suggesting potential for advancing mental health equity.
- Further research should explore optimizing engagement and retention for similar digital interventions.
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