Impact of a mindfulness and self-care intervention on stress, self-compassion, and attentiveness in university healthcare students and faculty

Abstract

Objective To evaluate impact of a 12-week, online, guided, self-paced intervention of mindfulness and self-care practices on self-compassion, attentiveness, and perceived stress. Participants University healthcare faculty and students. Methods Participants received 7 different mindful and self-care activity options every week for 12 wk. A pre-survey, weekly surveys, and one-month post-survey assessed outcome measures of the Perceived Stress Scale 4, Self-Compassion Scale-SF, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, health behaviors, and feasibility. Results A total of 232 participants had one or more outcome measures and 68 completed all 14 measures. Students and faculty demonstrated significantly increased mindful attention awareness, days of mindfulness practice, self-compassion, and trended toward more physical activity. They reported significantly lower stress and that mindful practice altered the way they dealt with stress. Days of mindfulness practice were significantly negatively correlated to stress and positively correlated to self-care. Conclusions This intervention demonstrated both effectiveness and feasibility, with most participants choosing shorter meditation, yoga, and self-care options.