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Improving Mental Health and Well‐Being through Informal Mindfulness Practices: An Intervention Study
Author(s) -
Shankland Rebecca,
Tessier Damien,
Strub Lionel,
Gauchet Aurélie,
Baeyens Céline
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
applied psychology: health and well‐being
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.276
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1758-0854
pISSN - 1758-0846
DOI - 10.1111/aphw.12216
Subject(s) - mindfulness , anxiety , mental health , depression (economics) , clinical psychology , psychology , intervention (counseling) , population , life satisfaction , medicine , psychotherapist , psychiatry , environmental health , economics , macroeconomics
Background Mindfulness‐based programs have been shown to be effective in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms, and enhancing well‐being. However, it remains unclear whether longer formal mindfulness practices are necessary to obtain such results. We therefore aimed to assess the effectiveness of a program (FOVEA, 8 weeks, 2h/week) which was only based on brief and informal practices. Methods Using a switching replication design, participants ( N = 139) were assigned to a FOVEA or a wait‐list group, and completed the following self‐report questionnaires online at three time points: perceived stress, anxiety, depression, satisfaction with life (dependent variables), and mindfulness (mediating variable). They also completed a daily practice diary. Results Relative to the wait‐list group, FOVEA participants showed significantly reduced perceived stress, anxiety, and depression, and increased satisfaction with life. These changes were completely mediated by increased mindfulness, and were maintained 2.5 months after the end of the program. The effect sizes were moderate to large. Conclusions These results underline the potential benefits of a mindfulness informal practices program for the general population. This type of program could constitute a first step towards more formal practices once the motivation to practice has been enhanced by the perceived benefits of brief practices.