Effect of 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on sleep quality, depression and perceived stress in adolescent athletes during transition

Download this article

Ebrahim Norouzi ^* and Nadia Milani ^**

^(*) Department of Physical Education, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran
^(**) Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Eyvanakey, Semnan, Iran

Citation

Norouzi, E., Milani, N. (2025). Effect of 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on sleep quality, depression and perceived stress in adolescent athletes during transition. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 56(5), 429-446. doi:10.7352/IJSP.2025.56.429

Abstract

Background: Adolescence is a period marked by significant psycho-social challenges, often leading to sleep disorders and depression. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has emerged as a promising non-pharmacological intervention for these issues. Methods: Forty adolescent basketball players were randomly assigned to an MBSR group or a control group. Participants completed questionnaires assessing sleep quality, perceived stress, and depression symptoms at baseline, post-intervention, and four weeks later. Results: Results indicated that MBSR significantly improved sleep quality, reduced perceived stress, and alleviated depression symptoms in adolescent athletes compared to a control group. Conclusion: MBSR is an effective intervention for supporting adolescents during the transition to adulthood, offering a non-pharmacological approach to address common challenges.

Keywords: Adolescent athletes, Transition, Mindfulness, Depression, Sleep

---