Integrating Mindfulness into Mixed Martial Arts Training to Enhance Academic, Social, and Emotional Outcomes for At-Risk High School Students: a Qualitative Exploration

Increasingly, adolescents report experiencing levels of stress that exceed their coping resources. Chronic stress is associated with emotion regulation challenges that increase risk for poor mental health and educational outcomes. This qualitative study examined the impact of Integra Mindfulness Martial Arts™ (Integra MMA™) on the perceived academic, social, and emotional outcomes of high school students at-risk for emotion regulation challenges. Twenty-four students (19 males and 5 females) aged 14–17 who participated in Integra MMA™ at a rural high school and their teachers (N = 10) were interviewed about Integra MMA™ and its perceived benefits. Thematic analyses of transcripts highlighted diverse positive student outcomes, including improved academic outcomes, social competence, emotion regulation, and self-confidence. Four key processes were also described (e.g., awareness, calm, attention, acceptance) as supporting positive change. Benefits were seen across students at low and high risk for mental health challenges and male and female students. Future research directions and implications for programming are discussed.