CLINICAL TRIAL article
Front. Psychiatry
Sec. Public Mental Health
This article is part of the Research TopicInnovating Public Mental Health: Integrating Digital Therapeutics for Comprehensive Mood Disorder ManagementView all 4 articles
The Effects of Short Video App–Guided Mindfulness Meditation on Rumination, Self-Compassion, psychological flexibility, and Depression Among Individuals Experiencing Entrepreneurial Failure
Provisionally accepted
- 1School of Journalism and Communication, Huaqiao university, Xiamen, China
- 2Huaqiao university, Xiamen, China
- 3Xiamen University of Technology, Xiamen, China
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Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a short video app–guided mindfulness meditation intervention in improving psychological flexibility and self-compassion, and reducing rumination and depressive symptoms among failed entrepreneurs. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 100 recently failed entrepreneurs (aged 25–55), who were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 50) or a waitlist control group (n = 50). Over five weeks, the intervention group completed daily 3-minute guided mindfulness meditation sessions via a secure mobile app. Psychological outcomes—including rumination, self-compassion, psychological flexibility, and depression—were assessed at pre-and post-intervention using validated instruments(Self-Compassion Scale – Short Form, SCS-SF), psychological flexibility (Acceptance and Action Questionnaire–II, AAQ-II). Data were analyzed using a two-step approach: a 2 (Group: Intervention vs. Control) × 2 (Time: Pre vs. Post) mixed-design MANOVA was first conducted to assess overall multivariate effects, followed by repeated measures ANOVAs for each outcome variable. Results: Significant group × time interaction effects were observed across all outcome variables. Compared to the control group, the intervention group showed significant reductions in rumination (F(1, 98) = 14.485, p < .001, η² = .073) and depression (F(1, 98) = 9.241, p = .003, η² = .045), as well as significant improvements in self-compassion (F(1, 98) = 11.764, p < .001, η² = .057) and psychological flexibility (F(1, 98) = 13.464, p < .001, η² = .064). Conclusions: This study provides robust empirical support for the efficacy of mobile-guided mindfulness interventions in promoting mental health recovery among failed entrepreneurs. The findings highlight the potential of short video–based mindfulness practices as scalable, low-barrier tools to reduce cognitive vulnerability and emotional distress following entrepreneurial failure. Trial registration :ChiCTR2500106524 Registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR),25 July, 2025.
Keywords: mindfulness meditation, rumination, self-compassion, Psychological flexibility, Depression
Received: 16 Sep 2025; Accepted: 12 Nov 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Tu, Liu, Gao and Chen. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Chao Liu, victory666666@126.com
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