Self-Compassion Mediates Improvement in Well-being in a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program in a Community-Based Sample

Background: Medical students are at high risk of depression, distress and burnout, which may adversely affect patient safety. There has been growing interest in mindfulness in medical education to improve medical student well-being. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is a commonly used, standardized format for teaching mindfulness skills. Previous research has suggested that MBSR may be of particular benefit for medical students. This narrative review aims to further investigate the benefits of MBSR for undergraduate medical students. Methods: A search of the literature was performed using MedLine, Embase, ERIC, PSYCInfo, and CINAHL to identify relevant studies. A total of 102 papers were identified with this search. After review and application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 9 papers were included in the study. Results: MBSR training for medical students was associated with increased measures of psychological well-being and self-compassion, as well as improvements in stress, psychological distress and mood. Evidence for effect on empathy was mixed, and the single paper measuring burnout showed no effect. Two studies identified qualitative themes which provided context for the quantitative results. Conclusions: MBSR benefits medical student well-being and decreases medical student psychological distress and depression.

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Impact of a mindfulness-based stress reduction program on stress and well-being in school going adolescents: A preliminary study

Neuropsychiatrie de l Enfance et de l Adolescence ◽

10.1016/j.neurenf.2012.04.062 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 60 (5) ◽

pp. S129

Author(s):

U. Anand ◽

M.P. Sharma

Keyword(s):

Stress Reduction ◽

Well Being ◽

Reduction Program ◽

Preliminary Study ◽

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

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Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction for Executives: Results from a Field Experiment

Business Perspectives and Research ◽

10.1177/2278533717692906 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 113-123 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Zubin R. Mulla ◽

Kalaiselvan Govindaraj ◽

Srinivasa Rao Polisetti ◽

Elis George ◽

Nagraj Rao S. More

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Diastolic Blood Pressure ◽

Stress Reduction ◽

High Stress ◽

Well Being ◽

Stress Indicators ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Self Compassion ◽

Stress Levels ◽

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

Mindfulness-based meditation has been reported to produce positive effects on psychological and physiological well-being, and to reduce stress levels. The present study examined the effects of a 16-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program on stress levels and self-compassion of 22 executives of a large public sector oil company located in the south of India. The study was a pre- and post-test experimental design in which participants were tested for physiological and psychological parameters, both before and after the intervention. Physiological assessment was carried out through the testing of blood cortisol and measurement of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Participants also reported on variables such as self-compassion, and various stress indicators such as physical indicators, sleep indicators, behavioral indicators, emotional indicators, and personal habits. Results from the present study suggest that a 16-week MBSR intervention not only had a positive impact on various stress indicators (physical, sleep, behavioral, emotional, and personal habits) and self-compassion but also reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure and blood cortisol levels. The findings suggest that MBSR can be a useful stress management intervention for addressing the issues of high stress for senior executives in Indian organizations.

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Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Hope in Women Participating in Alternative Sentencing Programs

Research on Social Work Practice ◽

10.1177/1049731521993230 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 104973152199323

Author(s):

Heather Chancellor McIntosh ◽

Krista Kezbers ◽

Rachel Nichols ◽

Chan Hellman

Keyword(s):

Perceived Stress ◽

Stress Reduction ◽

Female Offenders ◽

Community Based ◽

Alternative Sentencing ◽

Life Trajectories ◽

Self Compassion ◽

Intervention Models ◽

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction ◽

Survey Comparison

Purpose: Alternative sentencing programs for women with nonviolent drug offenses may provide opportunities to change the life trajectories of women and their families. The primary purpose of this study was to assess whether a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention could improve levels of hope following treatment. A second objective was to assess whether MBSR intervention could influence perceived stress, self-compassion, and mindfulness. Methods: Participants attended a 6-week mindfulness class, with outcomes measured using pretest–posttest survey comparison. Results: Paired sample t tests showed improvements in hope, stress, self-compassion, and mindfulness following treatment. Discussion: Community-based intervention models, such as MBSR therapy in alternative sentencing programs, may alleviate negative psychological impacts experienced by female offenders. These results align with previous research that suggests participants may see improved ability to regulate emotions following MBSR therapy. This research indicates that MBSR therapy, for women in alternative sentencing programs, may promote hope as a learned psychological skill.

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