Mindfulness Training Research Articles

Mindfulness, crashes, and risky driving behaviors among adolescents and young adults in the United States

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the association between individual-level mindfulness and a range of risky driving behaviors among U.S. adolescents. MethodsWe conducted a survey of a nationally representative sample of 16–19-year-olds, recruited from the National Opinion Research Center AmeriSpeak panel, a probability-based sample. Participants completed the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale. Risky driving measures were adapted from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Spline regression analysis was performed to identify the threshold where mindfulness scores significantly changed driving behaviors. ResultsAfter adjusting for age, gender, and race, adolescents reporting higher mindfulness scores were significantly less likely to engage on all risky driving behaviors and significantly less likely to have been involved in a crash. Spline regression analysis indicated that a mindfulness score of 75 corresponded to the minimum marginal probability change averaged across the outcomes of interest. DiscussionThis paper describes a previously unknown association between mindfulness and risky driving in a vulnerable population which is at higher risk of injury and death from motor vehicle crashes. The strength of the associations across a range of behaviors suggests mindfulness could be a general protective factor for adolescents’ driving behaviors and suggests that mindfulness training may be a promising safety intervention for adolescents. A mindfulness score of 75 could be a potential target for mindfulness training interventions aiming to reduce risky driving behaviors and crashes among teenage drivers.Abbreviations: ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; CI, Confidence Interval; MAAS, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale; NORC, University of Chicago’s National Opinion Research Center; YRBS, Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

Mindfulness improves psychological health and supports health behaviour cognitions: Evidence from a pragmatic RCT of a digital mindfulness-based intervention.

Mindfulness-based interventions can improve psychological health; yet the mechanisms of change are underexplored. This pre-registered remote RCT evaluated a freely accessible digital mindfulness programme aiming to improve well-being, mental health and sleep quality. Health behaviour cognitions were explored as possible mediators. Participants from 91 countries (N = 1247, Mage = 27.03 [9.04]) were randomized to 30 days of mindfulness practice or attention-matched control condition. Measures of well-being, depression, anxiety, stress, sleep quality, barriers self-efficacy, self-regulation and behavioural predictors (e.g., attitudes and behavioural intentions) were taken at baseline, 1-month (post-intervention) and 2-months (follow-up). Linear regression examined intervention effects between and within groups. Longitudinal mediation analyses explored indirect effects through health behaviour cognitions. Three hundred participants completed post-intervention measures. Those receiving mindfulness training reported significantly better well-being (Mdifference = 2.34, 95%CIs .45-4.24, p = .016), lower depression (Mdifference = -1.47, 95%CIs -2.38 to -.56, p = .002) and anxiety symptoms (Mdifference = -.77, 95%CIs -1.51 to -.02, p = .045) than controls. Improvements in well-being and depression were maintained at follow-up. Intervention effects on primary outcomes were mediated by attitudes towards health maintenance and behavioural intentions. Mediating effects of attitudes remained when controlling for prior scores in models of depression and well-being. Digital, self-administered mindfulness practice for 30 days meaningfully improved psychological health, at least partially due to improved attitudes towards health behaviours and stronger behavioural intentions. This trial found that digital mindfulness is a promising and scalable well-being tool for the general population, and highlighted its role in supporting health behaviours.

The mindful resiliency in recovery model: empowering the transcendence of stigma

IntroductionMindfulness-based interventions show unique promise in treating substance use disorders among marginalized populations who face heightened stigma. The Mindful Resiliency in Recovery Model is introduced as a novel theoretical framework articulating how mindfulness training can mitigate the adverse effects of stigma, enhance psychological resilience, and facilitate sustained recovery from addiction.MethodsThe current manuscript synthesizes various models of mindfulness processes, stigma, and substance use disorder recovery to propose an integrated theoretical framework on the promise of mindfulness-based interventions in supporting recovery. Further, the current manuscript draws upon empirical literature to establish preliminary support for the premises and hypotheses of the Mindful Resiliency in Recovery Model concerning the mechanisms influencing the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions among marginalized individuals.ResultsPreliminary evidence supports the premises of the proposed model. There is evidence to suggest that specific processes like increased present-moment awareness, acceptance, decentering, reappraisal, and savoring may be especially salient in mitigating internalized stigma and fostering resiliency in recovery. There is a need for additional research on these processes, and contextual factors that may moderate their efficacy.DiscussionThe Mindful Resiliency in Recovery Model has significant implications for optimizing mindfulness-based interventions to empower marginalized individuals to transcend stigma and actualize their capacity for wellbeing in substance use disorder recovery. It provides a roadmap for future research on the mechanisms and contextual factors affecting the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions for marginalized and stigmatized communities. It further offers guidance to clinicians utilizing mindfulness-based interventions to support individuals experiencing stigma.

Mindfulness Exercises Reduce Acute Physiologic Stress Among Female Clinicians.

Approximately 50% of clinicians experience excessive emotional, physical, and mental stress, with repercussions across the entire medical system. Mindfulness exercises may mitigate this excessive stress. Heart rate variability (HRV) is an objective stress measure that can quantify which mindfulness exercises provide the greatest stress reduction. To define the impact of specific mindfulness exercises on HRV, a surrogate for physiologic stress, and the relationship between physiologic (HRV) and subjective stress measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory during a one-day mindfulness workshop. This was a prospective observational pilot study performed at a quaternary children's hospital with diverse subspecialists of pediatric nurses, nurse practitioners, and physicians. Our primary outcome measure was change in HRV from baseline during three mindfulness exercises. The grounding, deep breathing, and body scan exercises all produced statistically significant changes in HRV among our 13 female participants. The body scan exercise produced statistically significant changes in all studied HRV parameters compared with baseline. We observed significant increases in Root Mean Square of Successive Differences between normal heartbeats (p = 0.026), high frequency (p ≤ 0.001), and the parasympathetic nervous system index (p ≤ 0.001) reflecting increased parasympathetic tone (e.g., relaxation), whereas sd 2/sd 1 ratio (p ≤ 0.001) and the stress index (p = 0.004) were decreased reflecting sympathetic withdrawal (e.g., decreased stress). Subjective stress decreased after 1-day mindfulness training (44.6 to 27.2) (p < 0.001). Individuals with the largest decrease in subjective stress also had the most improvement in HRV during the body scan exercise. Clinician stress levels (HRV) improved after participating in grounding, deep breathing, and body scan meditations, which may highlight their importance as stress reduction tools for clinicians. Monitoring of HRV during mindfulness exercises may provide deeper understanding of which specific exercises produce the greatest physiologic stress reduction for individual participants and the trend of these changes over time.

Bridging the gap between entrepreneurial intentions and behavior: examining the role of mindfulness

PurposeThis study investigates the role of mindfulness in the relationship between entrepreneurial intention and behavior.Design/methodology/approachTo investigate the effect of mindfulness on entrepreneurial intention and behavior, we adopt a conceptual framework based on the theory of planned behavior and develop our hypothesis, anticipating that mindfulness has a moderating effect on the entrepreneurial intention–behavior relationship. We conduct an empirical study by administering a survey questionnaire with 329 respondents who attended a training program organized by one of the leading management institutes in India.FindingsWe find a positive effect of entrepreneurial intention and mindfulness on entrepreneurial behavior. Further, mindfulness has a moderating effect on the entrepreneurial intention–behavior relationship.Research limitations/implicationsThe study has a few limitations. It was conducted among unemployed youth who participated in a government-sponsored training program for the promotion of entrepreneurship. Although not all the participants in the program were automatically eligible for government funding for starting a business, their entrepreneurial intention–behavior relationship may vary based on their conditions after the training concluded. This study emphasizes only the relationship between mindfulness and entrepreneurial intention behavior, considering EI and well-being implicit in mindfulness. Other contingent factors might also influence the entrepreneurship intention–behavior relationship, but our argument is that, ultimately, all emotional and rational factors can be subordinated to mindfulness. Hence, future research could be carried out to study the effect of mindfulness practice, entrepreneurial intention and the effectiveness of implementation behavior. Further longitudinal studies could be designed to understand how mindfulness training bridges the gap in the entrepreneurial intention–behavior relationship.Practical implicationsThrough this study, we offer empirical evidence on the role of mindfulness in moderating the intention–behavior relationship in entrepreneurship. Mindfulness makes people more aware of their internal and external environment when they pay attention with a purpose that helps them to regulate their emotions, cognition, novelty seeking and social contexts to sustain the ups and downs in starting a business.Originality/valueThe findings of the study offer new insights into the nuanced association between entrepreneurial intention and behavior through the lens of mindfulness.

How COVID-19 pandemic and Ukrainian crisis shaped mental health services for medical students in Poland?

The mental health of medical students is a crucial concern in contemporary medical education. This manuscript reports the availability and shape of psychological support for medical students in Poland in the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukrainian crisis. A survey comprising 10 questions was distributed to 22 medical schools in Poland, with a 59% response rate. The findings reveal that psychological support programs are predominantly managed by internal university units. Funding sources vary, with some universities utilizing internal budgets and others leveraging European funds or external projects. The support modalities are primarily hybrid, catering to student preferences. Limitations exist in the number of consultations, although some universities provide extended support based on student needs. Assistance is offered in multiple languages, with additional programs like stress-reduction workshops and mindfulness training being available in several universities. A notable increase in demand for psychological support post-COVID-19 was reported, with some universities establishing their programs during or after the pandemic. The commentary highlights the rising need for mental health services among medical students and underscores the importance of flexible, inclusive, and well-funded support. The effective functioning of these programs aligns with the broader objective of fostering a resilient and emotionally balanced healthcare workforce.

Influence of employee job crafting in Chinese manufacturing enterprises on safety innovation performance: a moderated mediation model

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the influence of employees’ job crafting on safety innovation performance through psychological empowerment and the moderation effects of employees’ mindfulness traits and job complexity on such impact. Design/methodology/approach This study conducted structure equation modeling to analyze data collected from 1,566 employees in 96 manufacturing enterprises in northern and central China. Findings Results showed that employees’ job crafting has a positive effect on safety innovation performance, partially through psychological empowerment, and that effect was moderated by employee mindfulness traits and job complexity. Practical implications Manufacturing enterprises should seek to promote employees’ job crafting behavior in the workplace, improve employees’ psychological empowerment and pay attention to mindfulness training for enterprise managers and employees, so as to reduce the probability of unsafe behavior. Originality/value This study reveals the underlying influence mechanism of employees’ job crafting on safety innovation performance using the self-determination theory and suggests that psychological empowerment is critical in determining how employees’ job crafting influences safety innovation performance. Furthermore, both employees’ mindfulness traits and job complexity positively moderate the above mediation.

Effectiveness of psychoeducation interventions for pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus: an integrative review

BackgroundGestational diabetes mellitus occurs in approximately 15–17% of pregnant women worldwide and causes high mortality and morbidity for mothers and infants. Pregnant women who are newly diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus experience higher levels of stress and anxiety than pregnant women without this condition. Thus, it is important to identify effective interventions to help pregnant women cope with the additional stress and anxiety associated with pregnancy-related complications.AimThis integrative review aimed to synthesise evidence on the effects of educational interventions for pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus regarding knowledge, self-efficacy, self-care behaviour, anxiety, depression, and birth outcomes.MethodsAn integrative review of articles published between 2009 and 2024, written in English and Arabic. The review followed the Whittemore and Knafl’s 5-stage process framework.ResultsFrom the 922 abstracts identified using search terms, 16 articles were eligible for this review. Psychoeducational interventions were provided for (1) informational support: information about gestational diabetes mellitus, diabetes mellitus, blood glucose monitoring, exercise management, diet management, and stress; (2) motivational support: setting individual goals, enhancing health behaviours, and motivational messages; (3) emotional support: expression of feelings, enforcement of self-management, and sharing of experiences; and (4) relaxation techniques: breathing exercises, meditation, and mindfulness. In this review, only two studies entirely focused on reducing stress and anxiety through cognitive-behavioural stress management training and mindfulness training. The effects of the interventions on self-efficacy, knowledge, depression, anxiety, and birthing outcomes were inconsistent due to variations in intervention designs and duration. However, consistent positive outcomes were found in self-care behaviours.ConclusionThis integrative review found informational and motivational support were frequently used by pregnant women. In contrast, emotional support and relaxation techniques were rarely used. Psychoeducational interventions may enhance self-care behaviours, improve self-efficacy, and reduce stress and depression for women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Nurses and midwives play an essential role in providing holistic care through comprehensive psychoeducational interventions for pregnant women.

The Western Australian medical schools mindfulness project: a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundEvidence for the longer-term benefits of online mindfulness training for medical students, including in the reduction of stress and improved wellbeing, is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a novel online mindfulness training program on trait mindfulness, wellbeing and study engagement of medical students at program completion and 6-month follow-up.MethodsThis was a randomised waitlist control study of an 8-week, online, mindfulness-based intervention versus normal curriculum alone for medical students (N = 114). The primary outcome measures were the changes from baseline to program completion at Week 8 for self-reported trait mindfulness (Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale), self-compassion (Self-Compassion Scale) and study engagement scores (Utrecht Work Engagement Scale for Students). The secondary outcome measures were these score changes from baseline to 6-month follow up. Intervention and control students completed surveys at all three time points. Program adherence (Mindfulness Adherence Questionnaire) was also measured in the intervention group.ResultsThe intervention group experienced modest but statistically significant improvements in mindfulness (9%, p = 0.0002), self-compassion (5%, p = 0.026), and study engagement (4%, p = 0.035) from baseline to Week 8. They also reported a sustained improvement of 5% (p = 0.017) in mindfulness scores at 6 months. The control group reported no significant changes at Week 8 or 6 Months. Between-group comparisons showed that compared to the control group, the intervention group improved significantly more in mindfulness (p = 0.0076), and statistically marginally more in study engagement (p = 0.0534) at Week 8. No statistically significant between-group differences were observed at 6 months.ConclusionsThese results add to the small but growing body of evidence suggesting that online mindfulness-based interventions with minimal contact can improve, albeit in modest magnitude, mindfulness and possibly study engagement in medical students for the duration of a mindfulness program. Further refinements to the program may be important to maintain improvements in the longer-term.Trial registrationRegistration number ACTRN12624000783527.

Mindfulness training for pregnant women with high blood pressure

Mindfulness training for pregnant women with high blood pressure

A Brief Mindfulness-Based Intervention Pilot Study: Lessons Learned in Feasibility and Acceptability Among Healthcare Professionals Experiencing Burnout

We explored the feasibility of a virtual-reality delivered mindfulness training intervention on burnout symptoms among corporate employees and clinicians in the Intensive Care Unit and Palliative Care Unit (PCU). To develop the VR mindfulness intervention we leveraged the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behavior model (COM-B) as a guide for the design and implementation of the VR mindfulness training intervention. Using a pre-posttest within subjects design we assessed burnout syndrome, job stress and work-related outcomes such as workplace behavior using self-reported measures at baseline and one-month follow up. Due to COVID-19 we were unable to assess 3-month follow-up. Feasibility was measured based on the number of times participants returned for subsequent sessions. Pearson’s correlation shows that more distress and mindfulness were positively related in clinical employees. For corporate employees we saw an increase in mindfulness pre and post-test and a reduction in counterproductive work behavior. However, the co-efficient alpha for the counterproductive work behavior scale was -0.51, therefore results should be interpreted with caution. Lastly, we identified barriers to feasibility in recruitment and retention of participants. The results of the present study hold potential for future interventions to reduce job stress and burnout through virtual reality mindfulness-based interventions.

Mindfulness matters: unravelling its influence on job demands and emotional exhaustion in remote work

Purpose The study aims to investigate the impact of job demands-client-front demands (JDCF) and job demands-office-front demands (JDOF) and family demands (FD) on the perceived competency of work from home (PCWFH) and emotional exhaustion (EE) of remote workers. The study also investigates the impact of mindfulness as a moderator. Design/methodology/approach To study the variables, a quantitative survey of 675 remote workers and an interview of 30 remote workers was conducted. The data analysis showed that JDCF, JDOF and FD significantly and negatively affect PCWFH. PCWFH also had a negative impact on EE, supporting the detrimental effect of poor perceived competence on increasing EEs. Findings The finding emphasises the value of a supportive work environment and mindfulness training sessions in dealing with the difficulties of remote work. The study concluded that respondents with mindfulness training better manage their emotions to produce better work results. Practical implications Managers should include mindfulness practice in their daily routine to enhance their performance and manage EE in remote work. Originality/value In augmenting mindfulness literature, this study provides insight into how managers can leverage on mindfulness practice to improve performance.

A Brief Analysis of the Application of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Reducing the Sense of Loneliness Among International Students

With the deepening of globalization, the number of international students has grown significantly. In unfamiliar environments, these students face challenges such as academic pressure and cross-cultural adaptation, which often lead to feelings of loneliness. In severe cases, loneliness can negatively impact their mental health and daily lives. As a psychological intervention, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) integrates mindfulness training with cognitive exercises, making its application in mental health highly significant. This paper first explains the definition and origin of MBCT and discusses its value in regulating emotions, changing thought patterns, and maintaining mental health. Based on the current causes of loneliness among international students, this paper explores targeted applications of MBCT to offer practical intervention methods that promote the holistic and healthy growth of international students.

Do emotional demands and exhaustion affect work engagement? The mediating role of mindfulness.

The current paper seeks to elucidate the interrelationships among emotional demands (ED), emotional exhaustion (EE), mindfulness, and work engagement (WE), with an explanation of the mediating role of mindfulness within indicated relationships. Nurses working in a stress-related environment face some emotional challenges. New methods such as mindfulness should be learned; therefore, positive outcomes occur along with new developments. Responses were received from nurses through a self-report questionnaire using the convenience sample technique. Four hundred and twenty-nine nurses from health institutions in Istanbul participated in the study. The PLS-SEM technique was used to test the research model. ED and mindfulness, EE and mindfulness, and mindfulness and WE relationships were found. While mindfulness was a mediator between EE and WE, it was not a mediator between ED and WE. It has been revealed that nurses cope with job-related challenges by being present at the moment with high awareness. Furthermore, mindful nurses also foster positive outcomes. Precautions should be taken because of the nursing shortage. It is better to provide mindfulness training to nursing students in schools before their professional lives. Implementing and using technologies might be helpful for nurses.

Is mindfulness associated with decreased hopelessness among young gay and bisexual men? The roles of perceived parental support for sexual orientation and expectation of rejection

ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate the association between mindfulness and hopelessness among Chinese young gay and bisexual men, as well as the mediating roles of perceived parental support for sexual orientation and expectation of rejection. Differences between gay and bisexual men are also considered. Scales measuring mindfulness, hopelessness, perceived parental support for sexual orientation, and expectation of rejection were administered to 509 gay and bisexual men. Structural equation modelling was used to test the mediating pathways. As a result, mindfulness was negatively associated with hopelessness, with expectation of rejection acting as a mediator. Additionally, a sequential mediating effect of perceived parental support for sexual orientation and expectation of rejection was also found. Models differed significantly between gay and bisexual men, with gay men having a stronger effect on the path from mindfulness to expectation of rejection than bisexual men. In conclusion, Mindfulness may help improve hopelessness among gay and bisexual men. This may be further supported by increasing perceived parental support for sexual orientation and lowering the expectation of rejection. More mindfulness training should be provided, and this may be particularly relevant and useful for gay men.

Mindful Wealth Management: Thematic Integration and Analysis of Mindfulness in Financial Decision-Making

Purpose: This paper explores the influence of mindfulness on financial decision-making, aiming to develop a comprehensive framework that integrates psychological and behavioral finance perspectives. It addresses gaps in current literature, including the limited exploration of personality traits like openness and conscientiousness and the role of mindfulness across generations. Study Design: The research employs a conceptual analysis based on a comprehensive literature review, synthesizing insights from psychology, finance, and neurobiology. The study also examines the intersection of mindfulness and emerging financial technologies such as robo-advisors and cryptocurrencies. Findings: The study identifies how mindfulness influences financial behaviors, particularly in risk aversion, cognitive flexibility, and emotional regulation. It highlights generational differences in financial decision-making and mindfulness’s role in navigating digital financial environments. Contributions: This paper introduces a revised conceptual framework that expands the understanding of mindfulness in financial decision-making. It includes new dimensions, such as personality traits, generational differences, and the interaction between mindfulness and digital finance. Implications: The findings provide actionable insights for financial advisors, practitioners, and policymakers. Recommendations include the integration of mindfulness-based strategies tailored to individual traits and generational needs, as well as mindfulness training in leadership development programs to foster ethical and resilient decision-making.

Changes in Trait Mindfulness after a Brief Mindfulness Training Program of Self-Breathing.

Developing and cultivating mindfulness exerts a positive effect on psychological and cognitive performance. Sharpening the skill requires continuous mindfulness-based training (MT), which can be challenging for people leading busy lives. Therefore, the current study examined whether trait mindfulness can be improved by a flexible and brief MT program of self-breathing using a pre-post intervention design. Trait mindfulness was assessed using the Japanese version of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) before the intervention (pre), after 2 weeks (during), and 4 weeks after the intervention started (post). Data were analyzed using the Friedman test followed by the Dunn-Bonferroni correction. The study sample consisted of 22 healthy participants aged from 20 to 60 years with no previous experience with yoga or meditation equivalent to MT. The mean number of days of MT practice was 26.4, and 11 participants had interruptions. The median values of pre-, during-, and post-total FFMQ scores were 115.5, 123, and 129, respectively. Significant differences were observed in the total pre and post (p < 0.001) and during and post (p = 0.002) FFMQ scores, though a medium effect was found (r = 0.30) only between the pre and post scores. Of the five sub-scales of FFMQ, significant differences were observed only between pre and post Observing (p = 0.01), Nonreactivity (p < 0.001), and Describing (p = 0.01), and during and post Nonjudging (p = 0.016), and Nonreactivity (p = 0.025). Our findings suggest that the simple, brief, and flexible self-breathing method employed in this study has a substantial effect on fostering trait mindfulness and, therefore, can be adopted by people with hectic daily schedules.

Effects of kangaroo mother care combined with nurse-assisted mindfulness training for reducing stress among mothers of preterm infants hospitalized in the NICU: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundKangaroo mother care (KMC) can have a positive effect on the mental well-being of a mother. However, there are specific challenges associated with the process that may contribute to increased anxiety for the mother. By integrating nurse-assisted mindfulness training alongside KMC guidance, nurses may effectively alleviate maternal stress to a greater extent.MethodsA single-centre randomized controlled trial was conducted to investigate the effects of KMC combined with nurse-assisted mindfulness training. The study included preterm infants with a gestational age of less than 32 weeks or a birth weight of less than 1500 g and their mothers, who were randomly divided into two groups. The intervention group consisted of mothers who received KMC combined with nurse-assisted mindfulness training for 14 days. The control group comprised mothers who received only KMC for 14 days. Data from both groups were collected and compared for analysis.ResultsForty-seven infants and their mothers were included in the intervention group, whereas 44 pairs were included in the control group. After the intervention, the parental stressor scale scores for the neonatal intensive care unit (PSS: NICU) (3), PSS: NICU (4), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores for the intervention group were lower than those for the control group, whereas the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) (1), FFMQ (4), and FFMQ (5) scores for the intervention group were higher. The degree of change in the PSS: NICU and HADS scores was inversely correlated with the degree of change in the FFMQ score. The breast milk feed rate and weight gain rate were greater in the intervention group than in the control group. No adverse reactions were observed in either group.ConclusionsKangaroo mother care combined with nurse-assisted mindfulness training is an acceptable, feasible, and effective procedure for reducing anxiety in mothers of preterm infants in the NICU, with potential benefits for the short-term prognosis of these infants.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1900023697, registered on June 8, 2019, retrospectively registered.

Sleep Quality in High-Risk Pregnancies: Mixed Methods Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial of a Mindfulness Training Intervention.

Objectives: Sleep difficulties in pregnancy are common and increase the risk for obstetric complications. Past research shows that mindfulness training (MT) is helpful for improving sleep in non-pregnant adults and may improve sleep during pregnancy. However, it is unknown if MT improves sleep among pregnant people at risk for obstetric complications. We examined the effects of MT on sleep quality in individuals at risk of developing hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Methods: Twenty-nine participants (mean age, 32 ± 4 years; mean gestational age, 16 ± 3weeks) at risk for hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) were randomized to an 8-week phone-delivered MT intervention (n = 15) or treatment as usual (TAU; n = 14), designed to test MT feasibility and acceptability. As part of the study, participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and participated in a semi-structured individual qualitative interview which queried for sleep changes over pregnancy. Results: Participants randomized to MT reported less daytime sleep dysfunction compared to TAU (F = 5.79, p = 0.03, ηp2 = 0.28). Qualitative data illustrated the common experiences of sleep disturbance across both study groups; however, MT participants reported an improved ability to initiate sleep and return to sleep using mindfulness skills. About half of the participants in the MT condition reported an improvement in overall sleep quality due to less interference related to anxiety and restlessness, while other MT participants reported no change in sleep quality. Conclusions: Results from this study confirm that pregnant individuals frequently encounter sleep challenges. Findings also suggest that MT may be a helpful tool in improving sleep quality among pregnant people at risk for obstetric complications.

Change starts with the body: Interoceptive appreciation mediates the effect of mindfulness training on behavior change – an effect moderated by depression severity

Mindfulness catalyzes health behavior change. Yet, interoception is dysregulated in depression, potentially impairing behavioral activation. We examined the mediating role of interoceptive appreciation, as measured by how much one trusts and listens to internal bodily signals, on behavior change. Primary care patients with depression, anxiety, or stress disorders related to chronic illness were randomized to Mindfulness Training for Primary Care (MTPC) using the Mindful Behavior Change curriculum or a low-dose mindfulness comparator. Participants (N = 274) completed the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) at 0 and 8 weeks. At week 7, participants chose a health behavior action plan. During weeks 8–10, participants reported their action plan initiation (API) level. We investigated the effect of MTPC on API level (MTPC-API), the mediating role of interoceptive appreciation (Body Listening [MAIA-BL] + Trusting [MAIA-T]), and baseline depression severity as a moderator. MTPC had a significant direct effect on API. Interoceptive appreciation (MAIA-BL + MAIA-T) had a significant indirect effect on API (CI=0.15–0.56). Without depression (n = 76), MAIA-BL partially mediated MTPC-API (CI=0.02–0.87). With moderate-to-severe depression (n = 132), MAIA-T partially mediated MTPC-API (CI=0.01–0.85). Interoceptive appreciation helps people listen to motivating bodily signals. In depression, regaining body trust may be an important step on a mindful path towards change.