| Abstract: |
Mental health challenges among young adults, particularly perceived stress and emotional dysregulation, represent a growing global public health concern. Mindfulness-Based Counselling (MBC), integrating Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), has emerged as a structured psychotherapeutic approach to address these outcomes. This paper examines the impact of MBC on perceived stress and emotional regulation among young adults aged 18–30 years through a systematic synthesis of empirical evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies conducted between 2018 and 2025. The Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10) and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) served as primary outcome measures. The central hypothesis posits that structured MBC significantly reduces perceived stress and improves emotional regulation relative to control conditions. Results confirm significant reductions in PSS-10 scores (SMD = −0.53; p < 0.00001) and meaningful improvements in DERS subscales and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) scores post-intervention. Findings affirm MBC as an evidence-based, cost-effective, and scalable intervention for young adult counselling practice. |
