An Exploratory Study of Radical Mindfulness Training with Severely Economically Disadvantaged People: Findings of a Canadian Study

Abstract

This article describes a two-phased research project that piloted a modified mindfulnessbased stress reduction (MBSR) intervention developed specifically for a severely economically disadvantaged population. The terms severely economically disadvantaged (SED) and ''severely marginalised'' were used to describe the participants who experience socioeconomic disadvantage and social isolation as well as significant medical, psychological, physical, and learning challenges. Phase one of the project consisted of community focus groups to determine what types of mindfulness-based interventions would most benefit this population. Based on this feedback, the first author developed a modified MBSR intervention he called radical mindfulness training (or RMT). Phase two was a pilot study of RMT with 11 SED participants who accessed services at a local community health centre; eight participants completed the program, and seven of the participants completed Self Compassion and Satisfaction with Life scales and qualitative interviews. Results revealed an overall mean increase in self compassion and satisfaction with life after completing the program. Qualitative findings provided further evidence of the nature of the participants' perceived effectiveness of this program. The authors conclude that the findings from his limited exploratory study substantiate the need for further study of the RMT program.This article presents the development and study of a modified mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention for severely economically disadvantaged (SED) people who are socially marginalised and living with multiple and severe difficulties. Mindfulness can be described as a process of bringing a certain quality of attention to moment-by-moment experience (Kabat-Zinn, 1990). It involves the self-regulation of attention, which involves sustained attention, attention switching, and inhibition of elaborative processing. The ability to evoke mindfulness is developed using various

Mind–Body Approaches to Treating Mental Health Symptoms Among Disadvantaged Populations: A Comprehensive Review

“…51,53,70 The reviewed studies provide preliminary evidence of the feasibility and acceptability of mindfulness-based interventions among high-risk disadvantaged populations. The studies of MBSR among disadvantaged individuals reported program completion rates ranging from 66% to 70%, 57,61,64 which is slightly higher than retention rates that have been reported for other evidence-based mental health treatments. These relatively high completion rates are particularly significant given the time-intensive nature of MBSR.…”

“…[54][55][56][57][58]61,64 The remaining studies reviewed the efficacy of interventions based on mindfulness-based interventions, including yoga, meditation, and guided imagery. 51,59,60,62,[64][65][66][67][68][69][70] The studies reviewed here used mindfulness-based interventions in a wide range of high-risk disadvantaged populations, including racial/ethnic minorities, individuals with chronic health conditions (including AIDS and breast cancer), drug and alcohol users, and victims of interpersonal violence and trauma. All of the reviewed studies provided evidence that mindfulness-based interventions are effective in improving physical and mental health, functioning, self-care, and overall quality of life.…”

“…The identified studies provide preliminary evidence that mindfulness-based interventions are efficacious in reducing mental health symptoms [50][51][52][53][54][55] and improving general health, [56][57][58][59][60] daily functioning, interpersonal relationships, and overall quality of life. 55,[61][62][63][64][65] Manuscripts included in the review are presented in Table 1.…”

“…64 A total of 22 participants attended the first informational class, 11 attended the second class, and 8 finished the course. All but 1 of the participants was homeless, or near homeless, and all had experienced one or more episodes of major depression.…”

Mindfulness equity and Western Buddhism: reaching people of low socioeconomic status and people of color

“…The handout on meeting oppression with mindfulness was a slightly adapted version of the "Nine Instructions to Overcome Oppression", as used by the Radical Mindfulness Training (Hick and Furlotte 2010). The local resources handout listed information on weekly beginner classes and a monthly people of color group at a local Insight Meditation center, which was just a half mile away, as well as information on a nearby Christian Centering Prayer group and a local Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction teacher.…”