RESEARCH ON THE AWARE PROGRAMS

Evaluation of the Aware Program

The Aware Program was rigorously evaluated with adolescents with FASD and their caregivers.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

What were the results?

Adolescents with FASD:

  • Improved executive functioning (e.g., thinking flexibility, self-control, memory)

  • Improved emotion regulation

  • Found the program to be:

    • Engaging
    • Informative
    • Enjoyable

  • Planned to use mindfulness skills in the future

Parents/caregivers:

  • Liked the program

  • Would recommend it to others

  • Found the resources easy to use and helpful

Evaluation of the Aware program for high school students

A small pilot study was conducted in six high school classrooms.

What were the results?

  • High school students who participated in the Aware Program, compared to those that did not, experienced reductions in their aggressive behavior as reported by teachers.

  • Students, on average, reported that after participating in Aware, they were able to better pay attention and stop and think before acting.

  • Teachers, on average, reported that they enjoyed teaching the program and that it was easy to prepare and teach.

Research on Mindfulness by iRT Scientists

Parker, A. E. & Kupersmidt, J. B. (2016). Two universal mindfulness

education programs for elementary and middle school students: Master Mind and Moment. In K. Schonert-Reichl & R. Roeser(Eds). The Handbook of Mindfulness in Education: EmergingTheory, Research, and Programs (Vol. 1). (pp. 335-354). NewYork: Springer Press.

Parker, A., E., Kupersmidt, J. B., Mathis, E. T., Scull, T. M., & Sims, C.

(2014). The impact of mindfulness education on elementary school students: Evaluation of the Master Mind Program.Advances in School Mental Health Promotion, advance online publication, 10.1080/1754730X.2014.916497

Parker, A., E. (2014). [Review of the book Psychology of

Meditation, by N. N. Singh]. Journal of Child and Family Studies, Advance online publication, doi: 10.1007/s10826-014-9973-9

For additional information on research on mindfulness see the
American Mindfulness Research Association.