Interactions between Personality and Types of Mindfulness Practice in Reducing Burnout in Mental Health Professionals.

Raquel Ruiz-Íñiguez,Francisco A Burgos-Julián,Justo Reinaldo Fabelo Roche,Miguel A Santed,Ana Carralero Montero

doi:10.3390/ijerph18136721

Abstract

Research on mindfulness-based interventions reports mainly on improvements at the group level. Thus, there is a need to elaborate on the individual differences in their effectiveness. The aim of this study was twofold: (1) to examine which personality factors could influence burnout reduction associated with different types of mindfulness practice and (2) to evaluate the interaction between personality factors and the amount of home practice; both aims were controlled for sociodemographic characteristics. A total of 104 Cuban mental health professionals, who participated in a crossover trial, were included. The effect of personality (Cattell’s 16 Personality Factors) was analyzed through regression analysis. First, the results revealed that Emotional Stability and Vigilance could negatively moderate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions. Second, participants who scored low in Sensitivity or Vigilance could benefit more from the body-centered practices (i.e., body scan and Hatha yoga practices), but no significant results for the mind-centered practices (i.e., classical meditation) were found. Third, participants who scored high in Self-reliance could benefit more from informal practice. Other personality factors did not appear to moderate the effect of the interventions, though previous experience in related techniques must be considered. Recommendations and clinical implications are discussed. Trial registration number is NCT03296254 (clinicaltrials.gov).

Highlights

Around 46 million people in the US practice some type of meditation [1], being one of the most common methods of complementary and alternative medicine in the West
The first aim of this study was to examine which personality factors could influence burnout reduction associated with two brief Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), controlling for socio-demographic factors, in Cuban mental health professionals
Burnout reduction was weakly associated with Emotional stability (r = −0.22, p = 0.025), Dominance (r = 0.24, p = 0.012) and Vigilance (r = −0.25, p = 0.011)

Summary

Introduction

Around 46 million people in the US practice some type of meditation [1], being one of the most common methods of complementary and alternative medicine in the West. Mindfulness meditation is one of the modalities that is gaining in importance. Mindfulness is a human capacity that has been described as “paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally” Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) comprise a diversity of meditation practices that aim to expand this capacity. Reduction (MBSR), the first program to standardize mindfulness techniques. Several components and practices are included in MBIs, a multidimensionality that presents difficulty for mindfulness research [3]. MBSR includes three formal practices (i.e., meditation, body scan and Hatha yoga) and informal practices (which consist of bring mindful awareness to everyday activities, such as eating or washing dishes). Mindfulness meditation integrates two kinds of mental practices: focused attention meditation (in which the practitioner is required to focus attention on a chosen object or event, such as breathing or a sound) and open monitoring meditation

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