Date Presented 03/28/20
This qualitative study explored the effect of mindful meditation on reduction of stress in young adults through an online survey of open-ended questions using Qualtrics. Participants were recruited from a closed Facebook meditation community and various social media outlets. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis until saturation was reached. Multiple researchers and data collection from multiple sources ensured triangulation, rigor, and trustworthiness of the data.
Primary Author and Speaker: Jian Jones
Additional Authors and Speakers: Gabriell Herrera, Stephen Johnson, Priya Mistry, Barbara Kornblau, Debora Oliveira
PURPOSE: Stress, whether emotional, physical, or mental, is detrimental to health. It is a condition of mental tension that comes from harmful and demanding circumstances (Schneiderman, N., Ironson, G., & Siegel, S. D. 2005). Mindfulness is the state of awareness. This is the mental state of focusing on full cognitive understanding of a moment while accepting self- feelings, thoughts and bodily sensations (Shapiro et al., 2005). Meditation is the process and training of the mind to focus. “To engage in contemplation or reflection; To engage in mental exercise (such as concentration on one’s breathing or repetition of a mantra) for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness” (Merriam-Webster, n.d.). This study explored the relationship between mindful meditation and stress reduction.
DESIGN: This narrative qualitative study explored the effect of mindful meditation to reduce stress in young adults through an online survey of open-ended questions using Qualtrics. Participants were recruited from a meditation closed Facebook community and various social media outlets. Participant were adult, United States citizens, between the ages of 18-35, from all genders, races, sexes, and ethnicities.
METHOD: Participants reported data through a link to Qualtrics. Each participant responded to open-ended survey questions. Participants self-reported stress and uses for mindfulness meditation in relationship to stress. Questions asked how individuals view stress and the effect of mindful meditation on stressors in their lives. Content analysis was used to analyze data until saturation was reached. Researcher worked together to deduce themes from the data, which was reviewed by an experienced qualitative researcher. Multiple researchers and data collection from multiple sources ensured triangulation, rigor, and trustworthiness of the data.
RESULTS: A total of 18 people attempted the survey. 3 Male and 8 Female participants took the survey. The data shows the following ethnicities participated in this survey: Non-Hispanic white, Non-Hispanic black or African American, and Non-Hispanic Asian/pacific islander. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis until saturation was reached at participant 5. The voices of the participants reported the benefits of mindful meditation include feeling calm/relaxed, achieving peace of mind and focusing and developing a routine. Participants also reported, they use meditation to cope with everyday stressors and unexpected stressors. Furthermore, participants reported meditation helps them recognize the things they have control over in their lives, and lessens the stress brought on by the things they do not have control over in their lives.
CONCLUSION: The voices of you adults reminds occupational therapist that mindful meditation is a tool for clients experiencing stress or pain, to promote calm/relaxation and peace of mind. More research is needed to confirm and expand the roles of mindful meditation in occupational therapy with other populations.
IMPACT STATEMENT: The voices from this study suggest occupational therapy practitioners can use mindful meditation as a tool to add to practice. Mindful meditation can provide a powerful intervention for occupational therapy practice, to reduce stress and improve peace of mind in young adults.
References
Meditation. 2019. In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved June 15, 2019, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meditation
Schneiderman, N., Ironson, G., & Siegel, S. D. (2005). Stress and health: psychological, behavioral, and biological determinants. Annual review of clinical psychology, 1, 607–628. DOI: 10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.1.102803.144141
Shapiro, S.L., Astin, J.A., Bishop, S.R., & Cordova, M. (2005). Mindfulness-based stress reduction for healthcare professionals: Results from a randomized trial. International Journal of Stress Management, 12, 164- 176. DOI:10.1037/1072-5245.12.2.164
