Abstract
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) teach practices that encourage the development of present moment awareness through paying attention on purpose and non-judgmentally to one’s experiences, feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. We describe three graduate student research thesis projects that explored the suitability and benefits of an arts-based MBI with three different populations; teachers, university students, and women survivors of intimate partner violence. These three populations have been identified as experiencing heightened levels of stress and in need of resilience building supports. All three projects were qualitative pilot studies that explored whether participants would experience increased understanding and development of mindfulness-based skills, and improved coping with stress through participating in the program. Pre- and post-MBI group interviews were conducted, and interview data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Across the three projects, the student researchers found self-reported benefits with no adverse effects. Developing mindfulness-based skills helped the participants to build their self-awareness/understanding which in turn helped to develop emotion regulation. This is consistent with our understanding of how MBIs can build people’s capacity to make conscious choices about their feelings rather than reacting to emotional triggers. Improved coping with stress was also reported in all three projects. Developing present-moment awareness and mindfulness can help people appreciate life’s moments, and cope better with daily life stressors. Also important was the growth of self-compassion and acceptance. The results are promising and indicate that further exploration with these populations is warranted. Future research could explore an arts-based approach to facilitating mindfulness with larger numbers of participants and using control and/or comparison groups.
Highlights
Exploring the Benefits of an Arts-Based Mindfulness Group Intervention for Teachers, University Students, and Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence
In all three projects, similar self-reported benefits were experienced by the participants: (1) they deepened their understanding about mindfulness and developed self-awareness of thoughts and feelings, (2) they found the arts-based activities helpful in that these methods provided a way to learn and practice mindfulness in accessible and enjoyable ways, and helped them understand and express their feelings with non-judgment, (3) they improved their emotion regulation and abilities to cope with stress, which benefitted both their personal lives and professional practices, and (4) they experienced social inclusion and normalization
Study 1 HAP with Teachers In Study 1, many of the teachers shared that their participation in HAP helped them learn and practice mindfulness in their personal and professional lives
Summary
Exploring the Benefits of an Arts-Based Mindfulness Group Intervention for Teachers, University Students, and Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence. Mindfulness-based practices and concepts promote activities and a way of being in the world that encourages present moment awareness through paying attention on purpose and nonjudgmentally (Kabat-Zinn, 2013). The goals of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) include becoming more aware of one’s moment-to-moment stream of consciousness and to accept these experiences without judgment. Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is the most studied MBI. It was developed in the late 1970s by Dr Jon Kabat-Zinn and colleagues to support the treatment of adults dealing with chronic pain and illness, stress, and anxiety (KabatZinn, 2013). Sessions include activities such as body scans; mindful breathing, walking, sitting and eating; and yoga movements
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