CULTURAL ADAPTATION OF A MINDFULNESS-BASED INTERVENTION FOR YOUNG ADULTS: AN APPLICATION OF HEURISTIC FRAMEWORK

Abstract

The empirical evidence for Mindfulness-based interventions is auspicious. The socio-economic factors and political strife in low-middle-income countries puts young adults at heightened risk, which calls for preventive interventions grounded in cultural context. This study culturally adapted a mindfulness-based intervention for young adults by using the Heuristic framework. The outcome measures were also piloted. Study was carried out in four steps: First, information gathering, and second preliminary adaptation design. Third, preliminary adaptation testing was conducted by delivering the Mindfulness Training Course to students (n=8) and measuring preliminary pre-post intervention changes for stress, mindfulness, and psychological wellbeing. Feedback Interviews were conducted with stakeholders, to gain cultural equivalence, followed by the final adaptation refinement step. Results indicated universality in core principles of intervention components. However, major surface structure changes included language, length of the reading material, metaphorical expressions, and an additional orientation audio recording. Study provides a pragmatic methodological application for future intervention adaptation studies. Strong reliability of outcome measures and the post intervention improvement in young adults’ wellbeing and stress indicate probability of conducting future feasibility and effectiveness trials. Keywords: Mindfulness, cultural adaptation, preventive intervention, young adults, stress, youth