Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Mobile Application for Students: Needs Assessment and Development Proposal

Abstract

This study investigates university students’ needs for a mindfulness-based stress reduction mobile application. The aim is to provide a scientific basis for developing digital psychological support tools in response to increasing mental health pressures. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 428 students aged 18 to 25 who provided valid responses. The findings indicate that students are currently facing multiple overlapping stressors, with academic and examination pressure (68.0%) and anxiety about future careers (61.4%) as the primary contributors. Although 69.6% of the surveyed students reported basic awareness of mindfulness practices, the rate of regular practice is only 4.4%. This gap between awareness and action mainly stems from barriers such as boredom, difficulty concentrating, and lack of time. Furthermore, 67.2% of participants affirmed the necessity of a specialized psychological support mobile application, indicating a strong intrinsic demand for flexible technological solutions. In terms of aesthetic preferences, students favored minimalist interfaces with subdued color palettes (43.7%) or vivid, calming designs (34.3%). Based on these findings, the study proposes developing a technological solution integrating personalized pathways, a daily reminder notification system, and diversified content such as instructional videos and relaxation games. These features aim to help students overcome technical and psychological barriers and transform their interest into a sustainable habit of mental health self-care within the university environment.