Annotated Bibliography

Erin N. McGee

MIST Department, California State University Monterey Bay

IST511- Writing Workshop

Dr. Sarah Evanick

December 1, 2020
JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. Huberty, J., Green, J., Glissman, C., Larkey, L., Puzia, M., Lee, C.

(2019, June 25). Efficacy of the Mindfulness Meditation Mobile App “Calm” to Reduce

Stress Among College Students: Randomized Controlled Trial.

https://mhealth.jmir.org/2019/6/e14273/

 Qualifications of author(s)

o Jennifer Huberty, PhD- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University,

Phoenix, AZ

o Jeni Green, MS- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix,

AZ

o Christine Glissman, MS- Department of Student Affairs, University of Redlands,

Redlands, CA

o Linda Larkey, PhD- College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State

University, Phoenix, AZ

o Megan Puzia, MS- Behavioral Research and Analytics, LLC, Salt Lake City, UT

o Chong Lee- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ

 Purpose/scope

o Researchers at Arizona State University (supported by ASU Counseling and

Health Services) conduct an 8-week randomized study of 88 college students to

test the efficacy of the mindfulness meditation mobile app, “Calm.” The purpose

of the study is to prove mediation and mindfulness can reduce stress and improve

college students lives. In addition to looking at stress reduction, the researchers

looked at the effect mindfulness has on behaviors such as: sleep, alcohol

consumption, physical activity, healthy eating, and acceptability of the app.

 Audience and level of reading difficulty

o The audience are college students. This paper is published by JMIR Publications

boasting “JMIR Publications helps scientists to disseminate innovations, ideas,

protocols, research results to the widest possible audience. This includes not only

other researchers, but also patients/consumers and other knowledge users”

(www.jmirpublications.com/)

 Bias or standpoint of author 

o There is no bias in the article, merely facts and results of the study.

o The only conflict of interest is noted at the end of the article. Jennifer Huberty,

PhD is now the Director of Science at Calm, but was not at the time of the study.

 Relationship to other works in the field

o Several of the articles I have found are researching the use of mobile meditation

apps on college students. This article used the app “Calm”.

 Findings, results, and conclusions if available, and format/special features

o The conclusion of the study found usage of the Calm app improved mindfulness

and reduced stress in the college students. Students liked the availability and ease

of using an app on their smartphone, opposed to going to a class in person. The

study found great efficacy in using the app and it is cost-effective. Students

overall experience less stress, more mindfulness, and an increase in life

satisfaction by meditating via an app.

 How does this article support your research and topic

o My Capstone is designing a meditation course for college students and this paper

proves the efficacy of practicing meditation in distance learning or by app. By

using an app or creating modules in iLearn, I will be able to teach students to

meditate and conduct small group meditations. Hopefully they will create a

lifelong habit bringing themselves peace, health, and mindfulness.

Crowley, C., & Munk, D. (2017). An examination of the impact of a college level meditation

course on college student well being. College Student Journal, 51(1),

91+. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A487602756/AONE?

u=csumb_main&sid=AONE&xid=230d89ee

 Qualifications of author(s)

o Claire Crowley- Adjunct Professor of Meditation, Grand Valley State University,

Allendale, MI

o Dr. Dana Munk- Professor in the Department of Movement Science, Grand

Valley State University, Allendale, MI

 Purpose/scope

o The authors conducted a 15-week undergraduate elective meditation course which

blended various mindfulness and Buddhist methods. The purpose of the study was

to determine if a college level course in meditation impacted student’s overall

mental health, well-being, and happiness in life and relationships.

 Audience and level of reading difficulty

o 28 undergraduate students participated in the elective three credit Mediation for

Health and Wellness class. “It was made clear that all data was confidential, that

students could choose not to participate or withdraw at any time, and that

participation was in no way connected to their grade in the course. Written

consent was obtained from 7 male and 21 female participants who had no prior

knowledge of the study. Twenty-five participants were white, 3 were nonwhite,

22 students were seniors, and 6 students were juniors. Participants were not
 surveyed to ascertain their prior knowledge of or experience with meditation”

(Crowley and Munk, 2017).

 Bias or standpoint of author 

o According to the information found on LinkedIn about Crowley, she holds her

500-hour ERYT (Experienced Yoga Teacher certification) and has been a

meditation instructor for over seven years. She is an adjunct professor at more

than one university. Since this study was conducted as an optional course with

written consent and the option to drop without consequence, there does not seem

to be bias.

 Relationship to other works in the field

o This article is different than the others found in that it is almost identical to my

Capstone idea, although their course was conducted in person and upon

completion, students received three credits.

 Findings, results, and conclusions if available, and format/special features

o “The data gathered from student's demonstrated meditation practice impacted

their outlook on life and relationships with others in 3 major areas: mindfulness,

psychological well-being, and compassion” (Crowley and Munk, 2017).

o Through mindfulness and meditation, student lives were greatly improved.

o Meditation as a course should be used in education as an essential support for

college students.

 How does this article support your research and topic

o This article is very similar to my Capstone idea and supports my theory of

improving student life through the incorporation of mindfulness.

Fish, Matthew T, & Saul, Amelia D. (2019). The Gamification of Meditation: A Randomized-

Controlled Study of a Prescribed Mobile Mindfulness Meditation Application in

Reducing College Students’ Depression. Simulation & Gaming, 50(4), 419–435.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1046878119851821

 Qualifications of author(s)

o Matthew T. Fish, PhD- Assistant Professor of Recreational Therapy, Department

of Recreation and Leisure Studies, and affiliate faculty in the Center for Applied

Psychophysiology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC

o Amelia D. Saul, MS- Doctoral student, Department of Addiction and

Rehabilitation Studies, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC

 Purpose/scope

o Using gamification strategies through the mobile-meditation app Headspace,

researchers in this study of 72 college students aim to reduce the symptoms of

depression. Ten-minute daily mediation sessions were conducted with the

participants for fourteen days.

 Audience and level of reading difficulty

o 72 college students are either assigned to an experimental group or a control

group. To participate students must be over the age of 18; currently enrolled as a

student; have spoken English for a minimum of five years; and are not actively

practicing mediation.

 Bias or standpoint of author 

o Fish’s bias only is apparent in his bio as most of his research revolves around

non-pharmacological interventions.
 o Saul does not appear to have any bias and her research is in the development of

stress-management tools and mental health apps.

o Neither author received compensation for the research or publication from

Headspace.

 Relationship to other works in the field

o The gamification of mediation and mindfulness is different from the other articles

I have read. Many of the articles discuss the use of meditation mobile-apps but

use of actual Headspace screenshots and discussion of how gamification is used,

is different than other sources.

 Findings, results, and conclusions if available, and format/special features

o The control group in this study did not meditate during the fourteen days and were

provided with access to the app at the end of the study. The experimental group

were provided with the app, free of charge, to use for the fourteen days of the

study. They found it motivating and did not report any adverse side effects related

to their time spent using Headspace. Compared to the control group, the

experimental group reported a significant decrease in depression symptoms.

 How does this article support your research and topic

o I am interested in gamification and making my course/Capstone engaging,

motivating, and fun. The researchers required group participants to take a

screenshot of their Headspace history to confirm they had completed their

sessions. Confirmed in this study is Headspace’s gamification where users are

rewarded for streaks. Simple Habit does a similar rewards system, but I plan on

expanding on the idea in my Capstone.

Whitford, Samantha, & Warren, Keith. (2019). Perceived Barriers to Meditation Among College

Students: The Role of Personality Traits. Building Healthy Academic Communities

Journal, 3(1), 23–33. https://doi.org/10.18061/bhac.v3i1.6678

 Qualifications of author(s)

o Samantha Whitford MSW- Ohio State University College of Social Work

Graduate, 2019, Columbus, OH

o Keith Warren, PhD- Ohio State University College of Social Work, Columbus,

OH

 Purpose/scope

o Meditation, when used as a tool to ease depression and anxiety in college

students, has a high level of dropouts in practicing. The goal of this article is to

understand what the perceived barriers of college students are and why they quit

meditating even if they are feeling better.

 Audience and level of reading difficulty

o Participants in this study were all enrolled in college and recruited from Ohio

State University. The study was conducted through a series of emails and series

sent by the university’s Office of Student Life and College of Social work sent to

the school of 59,482 students.

 Bias or standpoint of author 

o This study was clearly conducted from a place of psychology and psychiatry in

that it was looking at the mental state (neuroticism) of participants and why they

would continue or quit meditating after improvement. The study was formed
 around the idea of depressed people don’t follow through on recommendations

that are good for them. I feel this is very bias.

 Relationship to other works in the field

o The study did not include a class or a free meditation app. It was based on

whether or not the students currently meditate and if so/ if not what are the

perceived barriers. I feel this study would have been better if students were given

the opportunity to try different types of meditation or an app/class including

gamification.

 Findings, results, and conclusions if available, and format/special features

o The researchers recommend traditional cognitive behavior therapy over

meditation for those students showing signs of depression and anxiety.

 How does this article support your research and topic

o This article looks at college student psychological states and it contradicts all of

my other sources; however, I plan on including it in my Capstone. It provides a

different point of view and supports the need to make my Meditation course

engaging and interesting to keep those who need it most (students with

depression, anxiety, and stress) attending.

Rizer, Carol Ann, Fagan, Mary Helen, Kilmon, Carol, & Rath, Linda. (2016). The Role of

Perceived Stress and Health Beliefs on College Students' Intentions to Practice

Mindfulness Meditation. American Journal of Health Education, 47(1), 24–31.

https://doi.org/10.1080/19325037.2015.1111176

 Qualifications of author(s)

o Carol Ann Rizer, DNP, APRN, CRNA-ret.- Associate Professor of College of

Nursing and Health Services at The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX

o Mary Helen Fagan- Associate Professor of Management at the University of

Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX

o Carol Kilmon, PhD, R.N.- Associate Professor of College of Nursing and Health

Services at The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX

o Linda Rath, N.P- Associate Professor of College of Nursing and Health Services

at The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX

 Purpose/scope

o The purpose of this article and study is to understand why people participate in

meditation. The hope is that by understanding the “why”, engaging programs and

outreach to students can be designed to reduce stress. “The study investigated the

relationship between (1) perceived stress and health beliefs, (2) perceived stress

and intention to participate in mindfulness-based meditation, and (3) health

beliefs and intention to participate in mindfulness-based meditation” (Rizer, et al.,

p. 3) while exploring the various delivery methods (online, face-to-face, etc.).

 Audience and level of reading difficulty

 o This is a lengthy article, dense in study of 101 junior-level undergraduate business

students between the ages of 19 and 53. I feel this article is difficult to read but

has a few good points.

 Bias or standpoint of author

o This study was conducted from the medical perspective therefore, it was

speculative about current stress levels and how likely the participants would be to

meditate. It was more about the intention to meditate, as opposed to providing the

students with a course or app to meditate. 

 Relationship to other works in the field

o It is similar to the Whitford, Samantha, & Warren, Keith, 2019 article in that the

study is based on the perceived barriers to why people do not meditate.

 Findings, results, and conclusions if available, and format/special features

o This article determines that it is in the delivery of the information, where the

barriers against meditating lies. The study confirms meditation for college

students is beneficial, but they need to be motivated to engage in it.

 How does this article support your research and topic

o Once again, meditation comes down to method of delivery. This article confirms

that even though students may see the benefits of regularly meditation, the

perceived barriers of how, when, and developing a consistent practice, will be the

most beneficial life-long.