scholarly journals The Relative Contributions of Live and Recorded Online Mindfulness Training Programs to Lower Stress in the Workplace: A Longitudinal Observational Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Q Wolever ◽  
Michael TM Finn ◽  
Denise Shields
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Sampling Bias ◽  
Mindfulness Training ◽  
Delivery Mode ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Post Assessment

BACKGROUND Despite numerous gaps in the literature, mindfulness training in the workplace is rapidly proliferating. Many “online” or “digital mindfulness” programs do not distinguish between live teaching and recorded or asynchronous sessions, yet differences in delivery mode (e.g., face-to-face, online live, online self-guided, other) may explain outcomes. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to use existing data from an online mindfulness solutions company to assess the relative contribution of live and recorded mindfulness training to lower perceived stress in employees. METHODS Perceived stress and the amount of live and recorded online mindfulness training accessed by employees were assessed during eMindful’s One-Percent Challenge (OPC). The OPC is a 30-day program wherein participants are encouraged to spend 1% of their day (14 min) practicing mindfulness meditation on the platform. We used linear, mixed effects models to assess the relationship between stress reduction and usage of components of the eMindful platform (live teaching and recorded options) while controlling for potential reporting bias (completion) and sampling bias. RESULTS Participants who registered for the OPC included 8,431 from 44 companies, with 92% completing stress assessments prior to the OPC, and 28% completing the post-assessment. About a quarter completed both assessments (27%; n = 2,407). Most completers engaged in the platform at least once (90%), 8.5% accessed only recorded sessions while 33.8% participated only in the live programs. Most participants engaged in both live and recorded options, with those who used recordings at all (32.2%) tending to use them 3-4 times. Controlling for completer status, participation at all with the eMindful OPC reduced stress, B = -.32 [-0.35 – -0.30], SE = .01, t(2393.25) = -24.99, p < .001, Cohen’s d = -1.02. Participation in live programs drove decreases in stress, B = -.03, SE = .01, t(3258.61) = -3.03, p = .002, d = -.11, while participation in recorded classes alone did not. Regular practice across the month led to greater reduction in stress. CONCLUSIONS Live mindfulness programs, with recorded or on demand programs used to supplement live practices, confers the strongest likelihood of achieving a significant decrease in stress levels. CLINICALTRIAL NA

scholarly journals The Rural Clinical School of Western Australia Mindfulness Project

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Sarah Moore ◽  
Rita Barbour ◽  
Hanh Ngo ◽  
Craig Sinclair ◽  
Richard Chambers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Mindfulness Training ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Professional Impact

Background: Medical students experience high levels of stress during their training. Literature suggests that mindfulness can reduce stress and increase self-compassion levels in medical students. Most mindfulness training programs are delivered face-to-face and require significant time commitments, which can be difficult to achieve for rurally-based students with heavy academic workloads.Aim: We sought to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of a mindfulness training program delivered online to medical students at a Rural Clinical School.Methods: An 8-week online training program was delivered to third year medical students at the Rural Clinical School of Western Australia in 2016.Using quantitative-qualitative mixed-methods approach, we measured the frequency and duration of the participants’ mindfulness meditation practice, and assessed changes in their perceived stress, self-compassion and compassion levels, as well as personal and professional attitudes and behaviours.Results: 47 students were recruited to the study. 50% of participants were practising at least weekly by the end of the 8-week program, and 32% of responding students reported practising at least weekly 6 months following the intervention. There was a statistically significant reduction in participants’ perceived stress levels and a significant increase in self-compassion at 6 month follow up. Participants reported qualitative insights about the personal and professional impact of mindfulness meditation training as well as barriers to practice.

Relationships between Leisure Time Physical Activity and Perceived Stress

1996 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 315-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven G. Aldana ◽  
Leanne D. Sutton ◽  
Bert H. Jacobson ◽  
Michael G. Quirk
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽  
Type A Behavior ◽  
Life Changes ◽  
Working Adults ◽  
Confounding Variables ◽  
The Relationship

This study investigated the relationship between physical activity during leisure time and perceived stress among working adults ( N = 32,229). Data were gathered on physical activity, perceived stress, current health status, age, gender, life changes, ongoing problems, number of techniques used for stress reduction, and number of personality traits related to Type A behavior. To control for confounding variables Mantel-Haenszel summary risk estimates were used. Employees who expended more than 3.0 Kcal/kg−1 · day−1 in physical activity during leisure time were 0.78 and 0.62 times less likely to have moderate and high perceived stress, respectively. Working adults participating in moderate amounts of these activities have about half the rate of perceived stress as nonparticipants.

scholarly journals Do Mindfulness Meditation Apps Decrease Stress in College Students? (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaitana, M. Dahle ◽  
Audrey Hooper ◽  
Aaron, J Cheung ◽  
Ashley Young ◽  
AliceAnn Crandall
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Stress Change ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
Study Interval ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND Mindfulness meditation apps have become popular self-help technology tools to manage stress and improve mental health. Mindfulness meditation classes have been associated with decreased stress levels, but the impact of mindfulness meditation apps at reducing stress levels among college students has not been thoroughly examined. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to assess how the frequency and duration of mindfulness meditation app use during a two-week interval affected self-reported stress levels. The study analyzed how minutes and days of app use during a 14-day period impacted change in self-reported stress compared to baseline. METHODS A longitudinal sample of 85 undergraduate students were recruited to the study through fliers and in-class announcements. Eligibility requirements ensured that participants had no prior or limited (< 2 hours) experience with mindfulness meditation. Pre- and post-assessment survey questions included perceived stress levels and the frequency and duration of meditation app use during the two-week study interval. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess whether there was a relationship between app use and change in stress. RESULTS The mean Perceived Stress Scale scores at time 1 and time 2 significantly differed (P < .001; t = 3.47), such that there was a significant decrease in self-reported stress over the study interval. The number of minutes of mindfulness mobile app use over the 14 days of the study was not predictive of stress change (P = .14), but the number of days practicing mindfulness was a significant predictor of stress change (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS Consistently practicing mindfulness may be more predictive of stress reduction than length of practice, as evidenced by a significant relationship between change in stress and number of days practicing mindfulness meditation, but not number of minutes practiced.

scholarly journals The effect of online multimedia psychoeducational interventions on the perceived stress and resilience of hospitalized patients with COVID-19: a quasi-experimental study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Shaygan ◽  
Zahra Yazdani ◽  
Adib Valibeigi
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Psychological Techniques ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Psychological Pressure ◽  
Psychoeducational Interventions

Abstract Background There are evidence suggesting that quarantine might have undesirable psychological impacts on the patients. Therefore, it is important to seek for ways to alleviate the psychological pressure as well as increase the resilience of the patients who are quarantined due to infection with COVID-19. The present study was conducted to examine the effect of an online multimedia psychoeducational intervention on perceived stress and resilience of patients hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19. Method: Participants in this fully online trial were 50 consecutive patients who were hospitalized in 2 hospitals in Shiraz, after being diagnosed with COVID-19. Before the start of intervention, four inpatient wards of two hospitals were randomly assigned to either experimental or control condition. All eligible participants in wards allocated to the intervention condition received online multimedia psychoeducational interventions during 2 weeks, whilst patients in wards allocated to the control condition only received face-to-face or telephone based psychological counseling in case of need. Psychoeducational interventions mainly included cognitive–behavioural techniques, mindfulness-based stress reduction and positive psychotherapy. Patients were assessed on perceived stress and resilience at baseline and 2 weeks later. Results Compared with the control group, patients who used online multimedia psychoeducational interventions reported fewer perceived stress and greater resilience after 2 weeks. Discussion The findings of the present study provide a successful first attempt at implementing online multimedia psychoeducational interventions to promote resilience and mitigate stress of patients who are hospitalized due to infection with COVID-19. The present results could help mental health professionals to determine which psychological techniques should be emphasized to promote patients' resilience in the context of COVID-19 disease.

Strategies for Designing Clergy and Spouse Obesity-Related Programs

2020 ◽  
pp. 089011712096057
Author(s):  
Brook E. Harmon ◽  
Shaila M. Strayhorn ◽  
Nathan T. West ◽  
Michael Schmidt ◽  
Benjamin L. Webb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Interview Guide ◽  
Personal Connections ◽  
Clergy Spouse ◽  
Clergy Spouses ◽  
Promotion Strategies ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose: Clergy have influence on the health of congregations and communities yet struggle with health behaviors. Interventions tailored to their occupation-specific demands and unique needs may provide a solution. Qualitative methods were used to identify opportunities and resources for the development of an effective obesity-related program for clergy. Approach: Ninety-minute focus groups were held with clergy (3 groups) and spouses (3 separate groups). Discussion explored: Program target(s); Opportunities and barriers that influence diet, physical activity, and stress-reduction practices; Empowering and culturally relevant health promotion strategies. Setting: All study activities took place in Memphis, TN. Participants: Eighteen clergy and fourteen spouses participated. All clergy were male, all spouses were female. Method: Previous research with clergy informed the interview guide and the PEN-3 framework aided in organizing the coding of clergy and spouse focus groups. Focus groups were audio recorded and transcripts analyzed using NVivo® 12. Results: Themes included: 1) Intervention targets—clergy, spouses, congregations; 2) Opportunities and barriers—making time, establishing boundaries, church traditions, individuals who support and hinder behavior change; 3) Intervention strategies—tools for healthy eating, goal setting, camaraderie, combining face-to-face with eHealth modalities. Conclusion: The relationship between clergy, spouse, and congregation make it important for obesity-related programs to target the unique needs of both clergy and spouses. Strategies should focus on healthy eating and personal connections no matter the modality used.

scholarly journals Protocol for Research on a Model Focused on Mindfulness Training to Support Weight Management after Bariatric Surgery

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1739-1739
Author(s):  
Preciosa Martinez-Motta ◽  
Adriana Campa ◽  
Valerie George ◽  
Agustin Castellanos
Keyword(s):  
Bariatric Surgery ◽  
Weight Management ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Psychological Flexibility ◽  
Mindfulness Training ◽  
Intuitive Eating ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
Bariatric Patients ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives Bariatric surgery has been proposed as a potential treatment for individuals who are severely obese. However, the literature indicates that 20–50% of bariatric patients, experience weight regain 18–24 months after surgery. In addition, some studies suggest that a large percentage of bariatric patients present with inability to respond appropriately to hunger and satiety cues and have difficulty dealing with stress. These factors might ultimately impact successful long-term weight management. Mindfulness meditation has been proposed as an approach that can reduce stress and increase awareness of physical sensations, such as hunger and satiety, while promoting increases in psychological flexibility. Based on these factors and research on the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), we developed a model: The Mindfulness Meditation/Acceptance and Commitment Approach (MMACT), to support successful weight management in bariatric patients. This study will evaluate the impact of a mindfulness training, based on the MMACT model, on the constructs of mindfulness, psychological flexibility, perceived stress, and intuitive eating in adults post-bariatric surgery. We hypothesized that such intervention will increase mindfulness and psychological flexibility, which will lead to a decrease in perceived stress and an increase in intuitive eating. Methods Individuals 12 to 36 months post-bariatric surgery will be recruited to participate in a 6-session mindfulness training program. The training will take place in group settings of 8–10 participants (final n = 45) and outcome measurements will be assessed at three time points, baseline, six and ten weeks. Results The impact of the training on outcome measurements (i.e., mindfulness, psychological flexibility, perceived stress, and intuitive eating) will be evaluated through four validated questionnaires, the Short Form Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II, the Perceived Stress Questionnaire, and the Intuitive Eating Scale – 2. Conclusions Evaluation of the MMACT will provide further insight into what factors may impact perceived stress and intuitive eating in bariatric patients and determine the feasibility of mindfulness-based trainings in this population. Funding Sources C.V. Starr Scholarship.

scholarly journals The Study on Mental Health at Work: Design and sampling

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 584-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uwe Rose ◽  
Stefan Schiel ◽  
Helmut Schröder ◽  
Martin Kleudgen ◽  
Silke Tophoven ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sampling Bias ◽  
Sampling Procedure ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Representative Study ◽  
Employment Conditions ◽  
Sample Characteristics ◽  
Sampling Procedures ◽  
The Relationship

Aims: The Study on Mental Health at Work (S-MGA) generates the first nationwide representative survey enabling the exploration of the relationship between working conditions, mental health and functioning. This paper describes the study design, sampling procedures and data collection, and presents a summary of the sample characteristics. Methods: S-MGA is a representative study of German employees aged 31–60 years subject to social security contributions. The sample was drawn from the employment register based on a two-stage cluster sampling procedure. Firstly, 206 municipalities were randomly selected from a pool of 12,227 municipalities in Germany. Secondly, 13,590 addresses were drawn from the selected municipalities for the purpose of conducting 4500 face-to-face interviews. The questionnaire covers psychosocial working and employment conditions, measures of mental health, work ability and functioning. Data from personal interviews were combined with employment histories from register data. Descriptive statistics of socio-demographic characteristics and logistic regressions analyses were used for comparing population, gross sample and respondents. Results: In total, 4511 face-to-face interviews were conducted. A test for sampling bias revealed that individuals in older cohorts participated more often, while individuals with an unknown educational level, residing in major cities or with a non-German ethnic background were slightly underrepresented. Conclusions: There is no indication of major deviations in characteristics between the basic population and the sample of respondents. Hence, S-MGA provides representative data for research on work and health, designed as a cohort study with plans to rerun the survey 5 years after the first assessment.

The Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Hope and Stress

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 696-707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricky T. Munoz ◽  
Steve Hoppes ◽  
Chan M. Hellman ◽  
Kara L. Brunk ◽  
Jedidiah E. Bragg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Path Analysis ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Lower Stress ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Meditation Group ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose: To evaluate mindfulness meditation as an antecedent of reductions in stress and increases in hope. Method: A quasi-experimental design ( N = 46; meditation group, n = 23; comparison group, n = 23) using a community sample was used to evaluate the impact of mindfulness meditation on stress and hope. A path analysis was also used to model a directional relationship between meditation participation and increases in hope mediated by reductions in stress. Results: The data indicated that the meditation group exhibited significantly higher hope and lower stress than the comparison group. The path analysis indicated that reductions in stress fully mediated the relationship between mindfulness meditation and increases in hope. Discussion: The data support that meditation can increase hope via stress reduction. The results suggest a need for further research into mindfulness meditation and hope, especially since increasing hope is a fundamental aim of strengths-based practice.

scholarly journals A Six-Session Mindfulness-Based Training to Support Weight Management After Bariatric Surgery in Clients of Hispanic Origin

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1231-1231
Author(s):  
Motta Preciosa Martinez ◽  
Valerie George ◽  
Adriana Campa ◽  
Agustin Castellanos
Keyword(s):  
Bariatric Surgery ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Mindfulness Training ◽  
Intuitive Eating ◽  
Dispositional Mindfulness ◽  
Hispanic Origin ◽  
Bariatric Patients ◽  
Post Bariatric Surgery ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives Objective: To understand more about the impact of mindfulness training on perceived stress levels, dispositional mindfulness, intuitive eating, and psychological flexibility.in bariatric patients of Hispanic origin, 12–36 months post-bariatric surgery. Background: Mindfulness meditation has been proposed as an approach to reduce stress and increase awareness of physical sensations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a six-session mindfulness-based training on dispositional mindfulness, perceived stress levels, intuitive eating, and psychological flexibility in bariatric patients of Hispanic origin 12–36 months post surgery. Methods The mindfulness group training was based on The Mindfulness Meditation/Acceptance Commitment Approach (MMACT) and focused on the following topics: mind body connection, stress management, intuitive eating, self-compassion, and acceptance & commitment. Participants were recruited from flyers posted in a private dietitian's practice and snowball sampling. Results For the first group, sixty potential participants were screened and seven (12%, 3 males and 4 females, mean age 50.6 ± 6, mean BMI 34.7 ± 6) agreed to participate. The mean scores at baseline, six, and ten weeks were: Five Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire (80.1 ± 8, 84 ± 11, 83 ± 14), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (18 ± 8, 17 ± 10, 17 ± 11), Perceived Stress Questionnaire (0.4 ± 0.2, 0.4 ± 0.2, 0.3 ± 0.2), and Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (2.7 ± 0.3, 2.9 ± 0.4, 3.1 ± 0.5), this last one with significant difference (P &lt; 0.01) between baseline and week ten. Conclusions This research provides preliminary data on how mindfulness training may affect factors that influence weight stability post bariatric surgery in clients of Hispanic origin. Funding Sources None.

scholarly journals How does mindfulness training improve moral cognition: A theoretical and experimental framework for the study of embodied ethics

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunes Sevinc ◽  
Sara Lazar
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Ethical Behavior ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Mindfulness Training ◽  
Moral Cognition ◽  
Moral Action ◽  
The Relationship

Mindfulness meditation has been primarily studied within the context of individual’s psychological well being and/or in relation to it’s potential to enhance cognitive skills such as attention and working memory. However, in Buddhism, mindfulness is used as a tool to cultivate wholesome actions, and as a means to promote virtuous, prosocial qualities. In this article, we postulate that heightened awareness of physiological and mental phenomena following mindfulness training may contribute to altered processing of morally relevant information and promote moral action. We will first briefly summarize neuroscientific investigations into moral cognition, and provide a theoretical and an experimental framework for the investigation of the relationship between mindfulness and ethical behavior.

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