Considerations for Research and Development of Culturally Relevant Mindfulness Interventions in American Minority Communities

Abstract

As many health disparities in American minority communities (AMCs) are stress related, there has been an increased interest in the development of mindfulness programs as potential stress-reduction measures in these communities. However, the bulk of the extant literature on mindfulness research and mindfulness interventions is based upon experiences with the larger White community. The intent of this commentary is to share a framework that includes key cultural considerations for conducting research and developing culturally salient mindfulness programs with AMCs. We build on our experiences and the experiences of other researchers who have explored mindfulness in African-and Native American communities; in particular, we examine issues around community outreach with an emphatic gesture toward emphasizing protection of AMCs and their participants. Discussed are considerations with respect to attitudinal foundations in mindfulness-based research and program development with these communities. However, the overall message of this paper is not to provide a Bto-do^list of research steps, but to rather, encourage researchers to turn inward and consider the development of skillful characteristics that will increase the likelihood of a successful research venture while also protecting the cultural traditions of the AMC of interest.

Mindfulness and Behavior Change

“…430 While MBPs may be beneficial for addressing difficulties experienced by these populations (e.g., mindfulness-based relapse prevention may be more effective when delivered within groups composed primarily of ethnic/racial minorities), 431 , 432 the current research base disproportionately represents well-educated, Caucasian, economically advantaged individuals. 166 , 425 The paucity of ethno-racial diversity in both MBP researchers 433 and MBP research participants 166 , 425 mirrors the lack of diversity in psychological and biomedical research. 434 …”

Greater Mindfulness is Associated With Better Academic Achievement in Middle School

“…Future studies should expand to students from rural and suburban school districts and across a full distribution of SES. Additionally, as MBIs become widespread across different socioeconomic and cultural contexts, variation in teaching methods that is culturally sensitive may promote MBI efficacy (Proulx et al, ). Furthermore, future studies may distinguish among multiple aspects of mindfulness beyond attentional awareness, such as kind intention and loving awareness (reviewed in Chiesa, ).…”

Recommendations for a culturally-responsive mindfulness-based intervention for African Americans

“…Despite the growing allure of these interventions, MBIs have mainly included the experiences and social references of White culture [31]. Also, they have primarily heralded the universality of human suffering with limited attention to unique race-related sequela that contribute to harmful health among people of color [31]. Given this, culturally-relevant adaptations have been largely non-existent, with few exceptions [13,17,33,38].…”