The Effects of Mind Subtraction Meditation on Depression, Social Anxiety, Aggression, and Salivary Cortisol Levels of Elementary School Children in South Korea

This study analyzed the effects of a school-based mind subtraction meditation program on depression, social anxiety, aggression, and salivary cortisol levels of 42 elementary school children in South Korea. The research design was a nonequivalent group comparison with pretest and post-test. The experimental group was given 8weeks of the meditation program. The results showed social anxiety, aggression, and salivary cortisol levels were significantly lowered in the experimental group. This demonstrated that the school-based mind subtraction meditation program could be effective in improving psychosocial and behavioral aspects of mental health in elementary school children. •Significant improvements were demonstrated in social anxiety, aggression, and stress levels of elementary school students with the school-based mind subtraction meditation program.•Although there was a reduction in depression for the meditation group, it was not statistically significant.•A school-based mind subtraction meditation program could be effective in improving psychosocial and behavioral aspects of mental health in elementary school children.