Mindfulness Program Research Articles

Interventions for improving mental health in athletes: a scoping review

ABSTRACT The aims of this scoping review were to map the current literature on interventions for improving mental health in athletes, identify knowledge gaps, and generate future research questions. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guided this review. A systematic literature search was conducted in SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO, and SCOPUS and 44 intervention studies met the inclusion criteria. Results showed that 22 studies (50%) implemented cognitive behavioural principles, and the majority of these studies were influenced by various mindfulness programmes. Most studies (93%) included healthy athlete samples, and athletes aged 15–19 were the most examined age group (43%). Only three studies used clinical criteria in their sampling of participants and mediators were examined in two studies. The scarcity of studies examining mediators and subclinical or clinical samples revealed critical knowledge gaps in the literature. Furthermore, the critical appraisal showed that regardless of study design, most studies demonstrated low internal validity. We propose the use of high-quality single-case studies with athletes who experience subclinical or clinical mental health issues, and further investigation of mechanisms of change linking intervention components to outcomes of interest.

Enhancing Prenatal Group Medical Visits with Mindfulness Skills: A Pragmatic Trial with Latina and BIPOC Pregnant Women Experiencing Multiple Forms of Structural Inequity

Abstract Objectives Prenatal mindfulness programs can improve mental health, yet access to and cultural and linguistic relevance of existing programs in the United States are limited for people who do not speak English and/or face major life stressors such as migration, housing instability, limited income, and racism. In response, mindfulness skills training drawn from Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP) was integrated into Medicaid-covered CenteringPregnancy (CP) group prenatal healthcare, delivered in Spanish and English by certified nurse-midwives and community co-leaders, and tested in a pragmatic pilot trial. Method A provider survey of 17 CP clinics informed development of the enhanced program. Next, it was tested with 49 pregnant people who chose CP prenatal care. All of the sample identified as women; 4% as LGBTQ + ; 90% as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (65% as Latina/e/x); 10% as White; and 63% as Spanish-speaking. Groups were allocated 1:1 to CenteringPregnancy or CenteringPregnancy with Mindfulness Skills (CP +). Results Intent-to-treat analysis of self-report interview data indicated CP + yielded lower postpartum depression (the a priori primary study outcome) with a large effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.80) and a trend toward lower postpartum anxiety (Cohen’s d = 0.59) compared to CP. Hypothesized effects on mindfulness, positive/negative affect, and perceived stress were only partially supported at post-birth follow-up. Satisfaction with care was high across conditions. Conclusions Augmenting group prenatal healthcare with mindfulness training in Spanish and English appears feasible, did not reduce satisfaction with care, and may have additional mental health benefits. Key questions remain about structural supports for perinatal well-being. Preregistration This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01646463).

The Effectiveness of a Neurofeedback-Assisted Mindfulness Training Program Using a Mobile App on Stress Reduction in Employees: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Mindfulness-based training programs have consistently shown efficacy in stress reduction. However, questions regarding the optimal duration and most effective delivery methods remain. This research explores a 4-week neurofeedback-assisted mindfulness training for employees via a mobile app. The study's core query is whether incorporating neurofeedback can amplify the benefits on stress reduction and related metrics compared with conventional mindfulness training. A total of 92 full-time employees were randomized into 3 groups: group 1 received mobile mindfulness training with neurofeedback assistance (n=29, mean age 39.72 years); group 2 received mobile mindfulness training without neurofeedback (n=32, mean age 37.66 years); and group 3 were given self-learning paper materials on stress management during their first visit (n=31, mean age 38.65 years). The primary outcomes were perceived stress and resilience scales. The secondary outcomes were mindfulness awareness, emotional labor, occupational stress, insomnia, and depression. Heart rate variability and electroencephalography were measured for physiological outcomes. These measurements were collected at 3 different times, namely, at baseline, immediately after training, and at a 4-week follow-up. The generalized estimating equation model was used for data analysis. The 4-week program showed significant stress reduction (Wald χ22=107.167, P<.001) and improvements in psychological indices including resilience, emotional labor, insomnia, and depression. A significant interaction was observed in resilience (time × group, Wald χ42=10.846, P=.02). The post hoc analysis showed a statistically significant difference between groups 1 (least squares mean [LSM] 21.62, SE 0.55) and 3 (LSM 19.90, SE 0.61) at the posttraining assessment (P=.008). Group 1 showed a significant improvement (P<.001) at the posttraining assessment, with continued improvements through the 1-month follow-up assessment period (LSM 21.55, SE 0.61). Physiological indices were analyzed only for data of 67 participants (22 in group 1, 22 in group 2, and 23 in group 3) due to the data quality. The relaxation index (ratio of alpha to high beta power) from the right electroencephalography channel showed a significant interaction (time × group, Wald χ22=6.947, P=.03), with group 1 revealing the highest improvement (LSM 0.43, SE 0.15) compared with groups 2 (LSM -0.11, SE 0.10) and 3 (LSM 0.12, SE 0.10) at the 1-month follow-up assessment. The study demonstrated that the neurofeedback-assisted group achieved superior outcomes in resilience and relaxation during the 4-week mobile mindfulness program. Further research with larger samples and long-term follow-up is warranted. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03787407; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03787407.

Feasibility and efficacy of an at-home, smart-device aided mindfulness program in people with Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease with a high prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms. Mindfulness is a practice that encourages individuals to cultivate a present-focused, acceptance-based approach for managing psychological distress. Its positive effect on MS has been demonstrated, but learning such technique is expensive and time-consuming. In this study, we investigated the feasibility and efficacy of an 8-week, at-home, smart-device aided mindfulness program in a cohort of MS patients. Specifically, we explored the role of a brain-sensing headband providing real-time auditory feedback as supportive tool for meditation exercises. The study included two visits, one at baseline and another after the mindfulness program. We measured adherence to the proposed mindfulness treatment and its effect on questionnaires investigating different psychological domains, cognition, fatigue, quality of life and quantitative EEG parameters. All participants received a smart biofeedback device to be used during the therapeutic program consisting of daily meditative exercises. Twenty-nine patients were recruited for the present study. Among them, 27 (93%) completed the entire program and 17 (63%) completed more than 80% of the scheduled sessions. We observed a statistically significant reduction of the Ruminative Response Scale score and a significant increase of the Digit Span Backward. Regarding neurophysiological data, we found a significant reduction of the whole-scalp beta and parieto-occipital theta power post intervention. Our results show that an at-home, smart-device aided mindfulness program is feasible for people with MS. The efficacy in terms of reappraisals of stress, cognitive and emotional coping responses is also supported by our neurophysiological data. Further studies are warranted to better explore the role of such approaches in managing the psychological impact of MS diagnosis.

사회적 고립 청년의 긍정심리자본 배양을 위한 마음챙김기반 집단상담 프로그램의 효과

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of a mindfulness-based group counseling program targeting socially isolated youth, a psychologically vulnerable group, on the level of social isolation, mindful self compassion (MSC), and psychological capital.&#x0D; Methods For this purpose, a mixed research method was used. The program was conducted once a week for a total of 8 sessions targeting 6 socially isolated youths located in G-gu and J-gu, Seoul. As a quantitative study, social isolation, mindfulness-self-compassion, and positive psychological capital scales were compared before and after, and as a qualitative study, thematic analysis was conducted to find out changes in emotions, thoughts, and attitudes.&#x0D; Results As a result, significant differences were shown in the social isolation and positive psychological capital scales, and in the mindfulness-self-compassion scale, significant differences were shown only in the subscale self-kindness. In the qualitative study, 4 main themes and 13 sub-themes were found, and participants found that there were positive changes in emotions, thoughts, and attitudes through the mindfulness program.&#x0D; Conclusions Therefore, it was found that the mindfulness group counseling program conducted for socially isolated youths was effective in reducing social isolation, cultivating self-kindness and positive psychological capital, and partially helping to improve their quality of life suggests.

Features of Self-Organization during the Process of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: A Single Case Study.

Compared to the extensive evidence of the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions, there is only a limited understanding of their mechanisms of change. The three aims of this study are (1) to identify features of self-organization during the process (e.g., pattern transitions), (2) to obtain an impression of the effects of continuous self-assessments and feedback sessions on mindfulness-related stress reduction, and (3) to test the feasibility of high-frequency process monitoring and process feedback. Concerning aim (1), the specific hypothesis is that change will occur as a cascade of discontinuous pattern transitions emerging spontaneously in the sense of not being a reaction to external input. This single case study describes changing patterns of multiple time series that were produced by app-based daily self-assessments during and after an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction program. After this MBSR program, the participant (a female nurse) continued the self-assessment and the mindfulness practice for a further 10 months. The results confirm findings on the positive effects of mindfulness programs for healthcare professionals, especially on coping with work-related stress. The analysis of the time series data supports the hypothesis of self-organization as a possible mechanism of change manifesting as a cascade of phase transitions in the dynamics of a biopsychosocial system. At the end of the year, the participant reported a beneficial impact of daily monitoring and systematic feedback on the change process. The results underline the feasibility and usefulness of continuous high-frequency monitoring during and after mindfulness interventions.

Online Mindfulness to Deal with Stress during COVID-19 pandemic: AMixed Method Study in Indian College Students from Kolkata, West Bengal

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic was aggravating the mental stress of vulnerable Indian college students. This mixed-method study aims to explore Mindfulness as astress - relief tool. Method: One hundred and fifty students were randomized to attend online Mindfulness-based intervention (Group M) or usual-care sessions (Group U). Quantitative data in form of perceived stress scores (PSS-10) and qualitative data to understand the student's perspective for stress relief were collected. The quantitative data was subjected to statistical analysis, while thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data.Results:The postprogram PSS-10 improved (p&lt;0.0001) compared to pre-program scores in group M. and post program PSS10 of group M improved (p&lt;0.0001)when compared to group U. The qualitative data brought forward four emergent themes of the student's coping strategies of stress relief. Conclusion: In this current study, the online Mindfulness program had a positive impact on the perceived stress ofIndian college students. Further studies will be required to substantiate the results.

Technology-Enabled Intervention to Enhance Mindfulness, Safety, and Health Promotion Among Corrections Professionals: Protocol for a Prospective Quasi-Experimental Trial.

Correction professionals are a highly stressed workforce with heightened risks for depression, suicide, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and injury. These professionals, largely hidden from view, have received little study concerning means to improve their safety, health, and well-being. In other settings, mindfulness has resulted in lowered stress, along with other benefits. We hypothesized that a program that promoted mindfulness combined with more typical health and safety components could uniquely benefit corrections professionals. This project will assess a novel scalable, self-administered program to enhance the mindfulness, safety, and health of a vulnerable worker group. In partnership with the Oregon Department of Corrections, we are conducting a prospective quasi-experimental trial of a safety, health, and mindfulness program among 100 corrections professionals from 2 institutions. Survey and physiologic data will be collected at enrollment, upon weekly program completion (3 months), and at 9 months after enrollment. Primary outcome behaviors promoted by the program are being mindful, healthier eating, more physical activity, and greater restorative sleep. Secondary downstream benefits are anticipated in stress level, mood, positive feelings about the organization, vascular health, and cellular aging, along with job performance, injuries, and economic costs. Participants will meet in-person or in a Zoom-type meeting as 3- to 5-member coworker groups during their usual work hours for 30-minute sessions once a week for 12 weeks. The program uses self-guided web-based learning modules that include brief mindfulness practice, and it is accessible by smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Daily mindfulness practice is encouraged between sessions, which is facilitated by the study website and group format. The modules' structure emphasizes prerequisite knowledge, peer support, skill practice, self-monitoring, and enhancing self-efficacy for change. The program continues through self-directed use of the Headspace app following the 12 weekly sessions. Participants are being enrolled, and the intervention is ready to launch. Although mindfulness training has gained traction for worker well-being, its usual format requires a skilled trainer, an initial retreat, and weekly 2-hour meetings for several weeks. The content is limited to mindfulness without safety or health promotion aspects. The need for skilled trainers and time commitment limits the scalability of the usual mindfulness interventions. The planned program is an innovative combination of technology, e-learning, and a group format to add mindfulness to a safety and health curriculum. If acceptable and effective, the format would facilitate its widespread use. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05608889; https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05608889. PRR1-10.2196/45535.

Experiences of nurses managing parenthood and career: A systematic review and meta-synthesis.

Consolidate and synthesize evidence on working nurse-parent experiences of parenthood. Demands in healthcare strain the workforce, causing burnout and high turnover rates, especially among nurses. Balancing work and family responsibilites is even more challenging for nurse-parents. Nursing is highly stressful, and the experiences of nurse-parents are under-researched highlighting the need to better understand and support nurse-parents in their dual roles. Seven databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ProQuest, Scopus, and Web of Science) were systematically searched for published and unpublished primary qualitative studies. Extracted data were meta-summarized and synthesized using Sandelowski and Barroso's approach. Twelve peer-reviewed studies, conducted between 2007 and 2022, investigated the challenges faced by 339 female nurse-parents across various countries. The meta-synthesis revealed two main themes: (a) Clashes of dual roles, and (b) Accept, adapt, and compromise, which were supported by six subthemes. Nurse-parents struggled with dual roles, often neglected self-care, and experienced work-family conflicts. However, they learned to accept their situations, adapt by seeking help from family, friends, and colleagues, and compromise on career aspirations to prioritize their families. The importance of organizational support and flexibility in accommodating their dual roles was emphasized. Female nurse-parents face challenges in balancing their dual roles, resulting in fatigue, compromised self-care, and limited social interactions. The culture of self-sacrifice in nursing contributes to these challenges, impacting patient safety. Supportive interventions like mindfulness programs and exercise classes can promote well-being. Staffing shortages and shift work further affect the work-life balance for nurse-parents. Creating a supportive work environment for nurse-parents is crucial. Family-friendly shifts revised parental leave policies, and improved childcare support are needed. Supporting nurse-parents benefits their well-being and enhances patient care. Collaboration between healthcare organizations and policymakers is essential to address workforce shortages and implement changes.

Feasibility and Acceptability of Virtual Reality Mindfulness in Residents, Fellows, and Students at a University Medical Campus

ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility, acceptability, engagement, and impact of a virtual reality (VR) mindfulness program for students, residents, and fellows at a university medical campus. Patients and MethodsA total of 30 participants consented to participate in the study from September 13, 2021 to November 12, 2022. They completed a baseline assessment and were trained to use a VR headset to access mindfulness content. Participants were instructed to use the VR mindfulness program 3-5 times per week, or as often as they found helpful, and they completed midline and endline assessments and a semistructured interview about their experience with VR mindfulness. ResultsParticipant engagement in VR mindfulness ranged from 0 to 29 times over 8 weeks. Restricted free time, low portability, and privacy were identified as barriers to use. Participants reported positive experiences with VR mindfulness, especially with the gamified nature of the content. They also reported a desire for increased customization options. Participants’ stress scores decreased, and their mindful awareness and self-compassion scores increased. ConclusionOverall findings support evidence of the feasibility and acceptability of VR mindfulness for college students on a medical campus. Short sessions and variable content may maximize sustained engagement. Implementation efforts should support participant engagement by including training and technological support. Future research should replicate study methods with the addition of a comparison group and should focus on evaluating the efficacy of VR mindfulness in the college student population.

Virtual Reality Mindfulness and Personalized Exercise for Patients on Hemodialysis with Depressive Symptoms: A Feasibility Study

Nonadherence to exercise-related trials in hemodialysis (HD) patients is a significant burden worldwide. To address this issue, we assessed the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a combined pre-habilitative virtual-reality-based mindfulness (VRM) program and a personalized activity prescription (PARx) in HD patients with elevated depressive symptoms. Ten HD patients (age = 59.60 ± 13.66) with elevated depressive symptoms completed a 10-week intervention. Participants were randomized into either a VRM+PARx (n = 6) or PARx alone (n = 4) group. During the 2-week prehabilitation, the VRM+PARx group completed our VRM program, while the PARx alone group received usual HD care. Post-prehabilitation, both groups began our 8-week PARx program. Feasibility was assessed by rates of recruitment, retention, adherence, and acceptability and adoption. Preliminary efficacy was measured using metrics of depressive symptoms, mindfulness, fatigue, and physical activity (PA) energy expenditure. A 25% recruitment rate was documented, with 90% retention. A 75% exercise adherence rate was observed and PARx demonstrated high perceived autonomy support (M = 27.6 ± 2.1). Post-prehabilitation, the VRM+PARx group showed significant between-group improvement in mindfulness (p = 0.02) and a significant within-group reduction in depressive symptoms (p = 0.05); however, no difference between groups was observed (p = 0.07). Post-PARx, no between-group difference was evident in PA energy expenditure; however, within the VRM+PARx group, a significant increase in PA energy expenditure was observed (p &lt; 0.01). Fatigue remained unchanged. Our VRM and PARx programs demonstrated feasibility and potential efficacy for HD patients. However, to validate these findings, future trials should consider a larger sample size and a longer duration.

Developing a Mindfulness Program for Filipino Children

Developing a Mindfulness Program for Filipino Children

Perceived benefits of a remote yoga and mindfulness program for student musicians during COVID-19.

Perceived benefits of a remote yoga and mindfulness program for student musicians during COVID-19.

Culturally Adapting an Internet-Delivered Mindfulness Intervention for Indonesian University Students Experiencing Psychological Distress: Mixed Methods Study.

Psychological distress is prevalent among university students. However, the availability of evidence-based mental health treatment remains limited in many low- and middle-income countries, including Indonesia. Internet-delivered, mindfulness-based interventions that reduce distress have potential for treating university student distress at scale. Unfortunately, evidence-based, internet-delivered mindfulness treatments are not yet available in Indonesia. Cultural adaptation of established evidence-based, internet-delivered mindfulness interventions is needed. In this paper, we describe the process of culturally adapting an Australian internet-delivered mindfulness program (Introduction to Mindfulness) to be relevant and appropriate for treating Indonesian university students' psychological distress. To assist the cultural adaptation process, we used a systematic cultural adaptation framework and a mixed methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative methods. In study 1 (information gathering), we administered an internet-delivered questionnaire to Indonesian university students (n=248) to examine their preferences regarding an internet-delivered mindfulness intervention. In study 2 (preliminary design), a draft program was developed and independently reviewed by Indonesian stakeholders. Stakeholders (n=25) included local Indonesian mindfulness and mental health professionals (n=6) and university students (n=19), who were selected to maximize sample representativeness regarding personal and professional characteristics. To evaluate the initial design and cultural congruence of the internet-delivered mindfulness program in the Indonesian context, we conducted interviews and focus groups with stakeholders. Stakeholders also completed the Cultural Relevance Questionnaire. In study 1, most Indonesian university students (240/248, 96.8%) reported openness to an internet-delivered mindfulness program. Most of interested students (127/240, 52.9%) preferred the length of the program to be 3 to 4 sessions, with 45.8% (110/240) preferring brief lessons taking only 15 to 30 minutes to complete. They (194/240, 80.8%) recommended that the program be accessible both through websites and mobile phones. In study 2, Indonesian stakeholders generally found the internet-delivered program to be highly culturally appropriate in terms of language, concepts, context, treatment goals, and depictions of students' emotional and behavioral experiences. However, stakeholders also recommended some specific adaptations regarding the program's delivery model (eg, combining visual and audio modalities when delivering psychoeducation), cultural components (eg, including more social and spiritual activities), program practicality (eg, including rewards to promote engagement), and design elements (eg, including additional culturally relevant illustrations). Following stakeholder feedback, a new culturally adapted Indonesian internet-delivered mindfulness program called Program Intervensi Mindfulness Daring Mahasiswa Indonesia was created. This study highlights the process and importance of cultural adaptation of an evidence-based mindfulness treatment and demonstrates how this may be achieved for internet-delivered psychotherapy programs. We found that a culturally adapted internet-delivered mindfulness program was relevant for Indonesian students with some adjustments to the programs' content and delivery. Future research is now needed to evaluate the clinical benefit of this program.

"It Is Definitely a Good Program for Everyone from Every Community": A Qualitative Study of Community Partner Perspectives on the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Mindfulness Program.

Meeting the health needs of migrant and refugee communities is crucial to successful settlement and integration. These communities are often under-served by mental health services. Previous research has demonstrated the effectiveness of a group mindfulness-based intervention tailored for Arabic and Bangla speakers living in Sydney, Australia. This study aimed to explore community partner perspectives on the program's impact, contributing factors and sustainability, and to elicit suggestions for future development. Data were collected via semi-structured telephone interviews with a purposively selected sample of 16 informants. Thematic analysis was conducted using the Rigorous and Accelerated Data Reduction (RADaR) technique. Community partners welcomed the emphasis on promoting wellbeing and reported that the community-based in-language intervention, in both face-to-face and online formats, overcame many of the barriers to timely mental health care for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, with a beneficial impact on group participants, program providers, partner organisations and the broader community. Positive outcomes led to stronger community engagement and demand for more programs. For group mental health programs, both trust and safety are necessary. Relationships must be nurtured, diversity within CALD communities recognised, and projects adequately resourced to ensure partner organisations are not overburdened.

Digital Cognitive Training for Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

The present article used a pilot study to determine the effectiveness of digital cognitive mindfulness training developed based on dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) in reducing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children. The sample consisted of 90 children (8-10 years old) diagnosed with ADHD. The participants were randomized into two groups: an experimental group (n = 45) and a control group (n = 45). Results were assessed at three time points: before, after the study, and one month after the end of the study. Regarding ADHD symptoms, the ANCOVA results showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the study groups for inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity after testing. One month after completion of the program, there was a significant alleviation in symptoms of inattention, executive functioning, learning problems, aggression, and peer relationships. Hyperactivity was the only variable that showed a decrease both post-test and during follow-up. These results suggest that a DBT-based mindfulness program is a promising method of reducing ADHD symptoms in children.

Effects of a prenatal mindfulness program on longitudinal changes in stress, anxiety, depression, and mother–infant bonding of women with a tendency to perinatal mood and anxiety disorder: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundStress is a risk factor for poor physical and mental health, affecting new mothers’ ability, especially those with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, to maintain their everyday lives. Over the past 50 years, global incidences of depression and anxiety disorders have increased, reaching pandemic levels. These incidences represent major public health issues that are challenging to detect and treat. Mindfulness programs are viable for reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. The present study evaluates mindfulness intervention effects on stress, anxiety, depression, and mother–infant bonding.MethodsWe collected data on 102 women participating in a prenatal mindfulness program between July 2021 and March 2022; they were parallel and randomly assigned to experimental or control groups. The intervention group received an 8-week course in a prenatal mindfulness program, and the control group received usual standard prenatal care. The self-reported stress, pregnancy-related anxiety, and depression were assessed before and after the intervention and at 36 weeks of gestation. At 2 and 4 months postpartum, all participants provided self-reported their levels of stress, depression, and quality of mother-infant bonding.ResultsCompared to the control group, the experimental group that received the prenatal mindfulness intervention experienced reduced prenatal stress, anxiety, and depression and reduced postnatal stress and depression. Despite this, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the quality of mother-infant bonding.ConclusionsMindfulness prenatal programs are convenient and effective methods of decreasing stress, anxiety, and depression during the perinatal period. Based on our findings, prenatal mindfulness may play a role in mitigating mood and anxiety disorders and should be considered in future approaches to preventing psychological distress.Trial registration numberThis trial has been prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04693130) and the first registration date was 12/24/2020.

The Effect of an Adapted Mindfulness Program on Depression, Stress, and Self-compassion: A Pilot Study Among Filipino Public School Teachers

The Effect of an Adapted Mindfulness Program on Depression, Stress, and Self-compassion: A Pilot Study Among Filipino Public School Teachers

Examining the ethics of school-based mindfulness programs

ABSTRACT School-based mindfulness programs (SBMPs) are gaining prevalence in K-12 schools, yet little is known about how they foster students’ ethical development. Using a qualitative content analysis this study examined how three SBMP curricula promoted ethical literacy. The primary ethical frame was Care/Compassion with little evidence of Justice/Fairness and Rights. The main Prosocial Motivation was Perspective-Taking. The primary curricular tool used was Reflection, with Skills and Knowledge used to a lesser extent. Social-emotional learning domains differed across the curricula, but Responsible Decision-Making was least prevalent across all. Explicit terms related to morals/ethics were scarce. The emphasis on relational-related ethical frames and motivations represents a shift toward a more nuanced view of moral development that represents a dynamic interplay between self and other marked by compassion and empathy.

How do mindfulness and compassion programs improve mental health and well-being? The role of attentional processing of emotional information

Background and objectivesAlthough the benefits of Meditation-Based Programs are well documented, the mechanisms underlying these benefits have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, we examined whether: (1) formal training in mindfulness and compassion meditation modifies the distribution of attentional resources towards emotional information; and (2) whether changes in attentional processing of emotional information after the meditation programs mediate the improvements in psychological distress, emotion regulation, and well-being. MethodsA sample of 103 participants enrolled in the study: 36 in the mindfulness program (MBSR), 30 in the compassion program (CCT), and 37 in the no-intervention comparison group (CG). The assessment before and after the programs included the completion of an emotional Attentional Blink task (AB) together with self-report measures of psychological distress, emotion regulation, and well-being. ResultsMBSR and CCT reduced similarly the AB deficit, whereas no changes occurred in the CG. This AB reduction was found for the different emotional and non-emotional stimuli (i.e., negative, positive, and neutral), showing a significant disengagement from first-target emotions and significant accessibility of second-target emotions to consciousness. The effects of both meditation programs on the psychological measures were mediated by changes in the AB and emotion regulation skills. LimitationsDue to our naturalistic design in a real-world community setting, random assignment of participants was not feasible. ConclusionsMeditation may promote more flexible and balanced attention to emotional information, which may be a key transdiagnostic mechanism underlying its benefits on emotional distress and well-being.