Promoting Stress Management and Engagement in Introductory Physics Courses with Mindfulness and Relaxation

Daily Physics Emotions measured using 12 self-report items with Likert scale from 0 (not at all) to 4 (an extreme amount). Daily Physics Emotions are calculated by averaging daily emotion items, with scores closer to 4 indicating experiencing more extreme emotions in physics.

Daily reappraisal, perspective shifting, and relaxation measured using 6 self-report items with Likert scale from 0 (not at all true) to 4 (completely true). Composite scores for reappraisal, perspective shifting, and relaxation are calculated as an average of all items for each subscale, respectively. Daily responses to emotions ranges from 0 to 4, with higher scores indicating greater use of reappraisal, perspective shifting, or relaxation.

Daily Threat vs. Challenge Appraisals measured using 3 self-report items about threat, challenge, and confidence with regarding to unpleasant physics emotions with Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree).

Degree to which students felt engaged in and motivated to learn physics on a daily basis. Measured using 2 self-report items measured with Likert scale from 1 (not at all motivated/engaged) to 6 (extremely motivated/engaged). Daily engagement is calculated by averaging both items, with scores closer to 6 indicating more greater physics engagement.

Experiences of decentering and curiosity, measured using 6 self-report items with Likert scale from 0 (not at all) to 4 (very much). State presence is calculated by averaging decentering and curiosity items, with scores closer to 4 indicating greater state presence.

Experiences of relaxation, measured using 3 self-report items with Likert scale from 0 (not at all) to 4 (very much). State relaxation is calculated by averaging relaxation items, with scores closer to 4 indicating greater state relaxation.

Current level of anxiety about physics measured using 1 self-report item with Likert scale from 0 (not at all) to 4 (very much), with scores closer to 4 indicating higher anxiety about physics.

Anxiety evaluation or learning while doing physics work, measured using 8 self-report items with Likert scale from 1 (low anxiety) to 5 (high anxiety). Physics anxiety is calculated as an average of all of the items for each subscale, respectively. Physics anxiety ranges from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater physics anxiety.

Psychological Threat vs. Challenge, measured using 11 self-report items with Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). Psychological threat is calculated by subtracting average of physics demands from average of physics resources. Difference score ranges from -5 to 5, with scores above zero indicating psychological threat and scores of 0 or lower indicating psychological challenge.

Belief that unpleasant emotions are a signal that learning and growth are possible, measured using 3 self-report items with Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). Unpleasant Emotions-Can-Be-Enhancing mindset is calculated as an average of all items ranging from 1 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater endorsement of this mindset.

Belief of efficacy with respect to physics skills and abilities, measured using 5 self-report items with Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). Physics Self-Efficacy is calculated as an average of all items from 1 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater self-efficacy in physics.

Student's sense of belonging in their physics course, measured using 5 self-report items with Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). Physics Belonging is calculated as an average of all items from 1 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater sense of belonging in physics.

Metacognitive strategies, measured using 7 self-report items with Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). Metacognitive strategies are calculated as an average of all items, ranging from 1 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater use of metacognitive strategies.

Belief that intelligence and abilities for physics can be developed through dedication and hard work, measured using 3 self-report items with Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). Growth mindset is calculated as an average of all items ranging from 1 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater growth mindset and lower scores indicating greater fixed mindset.

Cognitive effort, measured using 4 self-report items with Likert scale from (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). Cognitive effort is calculated as an average of all items, ranging from 1 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater cognitive effort.

The degree by which students associate their self-concept with physics, measured using 4 self-report items with Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). Physics Identity is calculated as an average of all items from 1 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater identification with physics.

Proactive mindset, measured using 6 self-report items with Likert scale from 1 (not at all) to 5 (very much). Proactive mindset is calculated as an average of all items, with higher scores indicating greater proactive mindset.

Use of explanation and analogy as problem solving strategies when working on physics, measured using 6 self-report items with Likert scale from (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). Each subscale is calculated as an average of all of the items for each subscale, respectively. Cognitive problem-solving strategies range from 1 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater use of explanation or analogy problem solving strategies.

Perceived interest in and utility value of learning physics, measured using 2 self-report items with Likert scale from 1 to 6. Physics Value is calculated as an average of both items from 1 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater perceived value of learning physics.

Physics problem solving tasks that range in difficulty covering content from introductory physics. Each item is scored for accuracy and solution time. Multiple choice items are scored as correct or incorrect. Accuracy scores are averaged across the items with higher scores indicating better physics performance.

Physics problem solving tasks that include new learning resources (e.g., a worked example) and a transfer task. Each item is scored for accuracy and latency. Explanation items are scored on a rubric. Accuracy scores are summed across items with higher scores indicating better physics learning. Latencies will be examined for how much time was spent with the learning resource and time spent solving the problems.

Judgments of confidence, difficulty, and self-efficacy during physics problem solving, with each subscale measured using self-report items with Likert scale from 1 to 6. Each subscale is calculated as an average of all of the items, with higher scores indicating greater confidence, difficulty, and self-efficacy respectively.

Physics problem solving tasks that range in difficulty from more to less challenging. Participants select problems to be included on a work sheet. Scores are calculated by summing the number of problems selected for each problem type.

End-of-course grades measured via school records. Higher grades indicate higher classroom performance.

Enrollment in second semester of introductory physics course sequence measured via official school records. Scored dichotomously, 1 for enrolling second semester physics and 0 for not.

Trait decentering and curiosity, measured using 13 self-report items with Likert scale from 0 (not at all) to 5 (very much). Trait mindfulness is calculated as an average of all items, ranging from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater mindful decentering and curiosity; will also be used as a covariate or moderator.

Trait rational-experiential ability, measured using 10 self-report items with Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). Each subscale is calculated as an average of all of the items for each subscale, respectively. Higher scores indicate greater rational or experiential thinking abilities.

General self-reported learning and transfer strategies, measured using 5 self-report items with Likert scale from (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). Physics Transfer is calculated as an average of all items, ranging from 1 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater use of learning and transfer strategies.

Perception of credibility and expected efficacy of training, measured using 4 self-report items with Likert scale from 1 (not at all) to 5 (very much). Each subscale is calculated as an average of all of the items for each subscale, respectively. Higher scores indicate greater perceived credibility or efficacy of the training.

Multiple choice questions gauging the attentiveness to the intervention audio. Each item is scored for accuracy, as correct or incorrect.