Mindfulness-Based Counselling and Reduction of Anxiety Disorders Among Adolescents in Selected Secondary Schools in Abuja, FCT

Anxiety disorders in Nigerian adolescents represent a clinically significant but underdiagnosed public health concern, and mindfulness-based interventions offer a potentially accessible and evidence-informed therapeutic option within school counselling settings. This study examined the effectiveness of mindfulness-based counselling in reducing anxiety disorder symptoms among adolescents in selected secondary schools in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory. An experimental pre-test and post-test design with a control group was used, with 72 students meeting DSM-5-compatible anxiety screening criteria randomised to experimental and control conditions across three secondary schools. The experimental group received ten weeks of mindfulness-based counselling sessions incorporating guided meditation, body scan, and mindful awareness exercises. The Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) was administered at pre-test, post-test, and four-week follow-up. Analysis of covariance was applied. Findings demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in generalised anxiety and social anxiety dimensions among the experimental group at post-test, with gains maintained at follow-up. Mindful awareness and non-judgmental observation were rated as the most impactful therapeutic elements. The study recommends integration of mindfulness-based approaches into secondary school counselling programmes in the FCT and establishes an evidence base for mindfulness-informed counselling in the Nigerian adolescent context. Keywords: mindfulness-based counselling, anxiety disorders, adolescents, secondary school, Abuja FCT.