Mindfulness and self-compassion as mediators of the Mindful2Work Training on perceived stress and chronic fatigue

Abstract

Objective There is increasing evidence that mindfulness-based interventions reduce stress and improve wellbeing in employees. However, less is known about the factors that mediate these effects. The aim of this study was to assess short-and long-termmediating effects of mindfulness and self-compassion on the effects of the Mindful2Work training. Methods Employees with burnout complaints (N = 124) filled in questionnaires concerning perceived stress, chronic fatigue, mindfulness, and self-compassion. Assessments took place before, directly after the training and at 6 weeks follow-up. The intervention consisted of 6 weekly sessions of 2 h, combining mindful physical activity, yoga, and mindful meditation, and a follow-up session 6 weeks later. Results Multiple parallel and serial mediation analyses indicated that increases in mindfulness mediated the effects from pre-to post-test on stress and fatigue. Regarding the mindfulness facets; acting with awareness mediated the effects during the training on both stress and fatigue, and non-reactivity on stress. Furthermore, increases in self-compassion mediated the effects from posttest to follow-up on stress and fatigue. Lastly, it was found that during and after the training, increases in mindfulness led to more self-compassion, which in turn led to less stress (and after the training also to less fatigue). Conclusion This study indicates that part of employees' stress and fatigue reduction over the course of the Mindful2Work training can be explained by increased mindfulness, and by increased self-compassion, directly and through increases of mindfulness.

Are mindful people less involved in online trolling? A moderated mediation model of perceived social media fatigue and moral disengagement

“…This result may be explained by the self-regulatory capacity of mindfulness (Brown & Ryan, 2003). In addition, mindfulness training improves the efficiency of self-regulation and presentmoment attention and awareness, thereby leading to less mental fatigue (Kudesia et al, 2020;van der Meulen et al, 2021).…”

“…Experimental research has suggested that increased mindfulness by mindfulness training can compensate for cognitive resources and led to less mental fatigue (Kudesia et al, 2020). Indeed, mindfulness was negatively associated with fatigue (Brown & Ryan, 2003;van der Meulen et al, 2021). Similarly, individuals with low mindfulness experience increased burnout when they use social media at work, whereas employees with a high level of mindfulness decrease their burnout when they use social media at work (Charoensukmongkol, 2016).…”

Fatigue, Self-Compassion and Life Satisfaction in Nurses

“…These results were contrary to the findings of the study by Finley et al, (2015); they stated that self-compassion features as an internal resource that reduces caregiver fatigue (Finley et al, 2015). As well, Van der Meulen et al, (2021) in research with the title Mindfulness and self-compassion as mediators of the Mindful2WorkTraining on perceived stress and chronic fatigue found that during and after the training, increases in mindfulness led to more self-compassion, which in turn led to less stress and after the training also to less fatigue. This finding could be explained by a variety of factors.…”