The Cultural Relevance of Mindfulness Meditation as a Health Intervention for African Americans

Woods-Giscombé, Cheryl L.; Gaylord, Susan

doi:10.1177/0898010113519010

Cited by 154 publications

(85 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…In contrast, we found a significant association between non-white race and younger age and WTP in MBSR. A recent qualitative study of the impact of mindfulness meditation in 15 African American adults found that such meditation was particularly culturally relevant, but that its presentation may need to be adapted to encourage participation [30]. Furthermore, non-white populations may experience barriers to participating in MBSR, ranging from financial concerns and availability to conflicting religious ideologies and a disconnect with white teachers, which could contribute to the difference between receptivity and utilization.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cancer-Related Search for Meaning Increases Willingness to Participate in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

et al. 2015

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Objective A cancer diagnosis can prompt an examination and reevaluation of life’s meaning, purpose, and priorities. There is evidence that Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) may help facilitate the meaning-making process. This study examined the influence of meaning in life on willingness to participate (WTP) in MBSR and identified factors associated with the search for and/or presence of meaning. Methods A cross-sectional survey study of 300 patients undergoing radiation therapy was conducted. WTP in MBSR was dichotomized into yes/no by asking: “Would you participate in an MBSR program if it was offered at the cancer center?” The search for, and the presence of, meaning were assessed using the Meaning in Life Questionnaire. Results Eighty patients (27%) indicated WTP in MBSR. In a multivariate logistic regression model, search for meaning was the only significant predictor of WTP in MBSR [AOR=1.04, p=<0.001, CI=1.01–1.08]. Identifying as non-white (Adj β = 4.62; 95% CI, 2.22 to 7.02; p < .001), and reporting subclinical (Adj β = 3.59; 95% CI, 0.84 to 6.34; p = .01) or clinical levels (Adj β = 5.52; 95% CI, 2.41 to 8.63; p = .001) of anxiety were the strongest predictors of search for meaning. Conclusion Our study indicates that patients searching for meaning are receptive to MBSR. Nonwhite patients and those experiencing high levels of anxiety are most likely to endorse a search for meaning. Future research is needed to understand how best to support patients who are searching for meaning and remove barriers to evidence-based programs like MBSR.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cancer-Related Search for Meaning Increases Willingness to Participate in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

et al. 2015

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“…Mindfulness training is an acceptable approach for AAs for stress management and may be useful for prevention of stress-related health disparities [14]. Although mindfulness interventions for weight loss in AA women have not been reported thus far, such approaches have been used in multiracial populations of patients with cancer to target improvement in inflammation and psychosocial health.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Weight loss with mindful eating in African American women following treatment for breast cancer: a longitudinal study

Chung

Zhu

Friedmann

et al. 2015

Support Care Cancer

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Purpose Women with higher body mass index (BMI) following breast cancer (BC) treatment are at higher risk of BC recurrence and death than women of normal weight. African American (AA) BC patients have the highest risk of BC recurrence and gain more weight after diagnosis than their white counterparts. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between a mindful eating intervention and weight loss in AA women following chemotherapy for BC. Methods A single-group 24-week longitudinal pilot study with repeated measures was conducted. AA women (N= 22, BMI=35.13 kg/m2, range=27.08–47.21) with stage I–III BC who had finished active cancer treatment received a 12-week mindful eating intervention with individual dietary counseling and group mindfulness sessions, followed by bi-weekly telephone follow-up for 12 weeks. Linear mixed models were used to evaluate the effects of the intervention and of baseline mindfulness on the weight change over time. Results In the overall group (N=22), MEQ scores increased over time (p=0.001) while weight decreased over time (−0.887 kg, p=0.015). Weight loss over time was associated with higher T1 MEQ scores (p=0.043). Participants in the higher MEQ group (n=11) at T1 experienced significant weight loss over time (−1.166 kg, p=0.044), whereas those in the low MEQ (n=11) did not lose weight. Participants who were diagnosed with stage 1 BC experienced significant weight loss over time (−7.909 kg, p=0.014). Conclusions This study suggests that a mindful weight loss program may be effective for weight reduction and maintenance in some AA women who have completed treatment for BC, particularly those diagnosed with stage 1 BC and with initially higher mindful eating behaviors. Mindful weight loss program is proposed as a promising way in which to reduce obesity-related conditions in AA BC survivors.

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“…18 Their spiritual practices (eg, prayer, singing hymns) serve to strengthen this relationship with God by encouraging practitioners to be receptive to God's message by being emotionally, physically, and spiritually engulfed into the present experience of worship. 22 Thus, spirituality has been found to be a meaningful coping mechanism among African Americans. 23 pressive symptoms, increasing the risk for cognitive impairment and diagnosis of dementia.…”

Section: Influence Of Spirituality On Depression-induced Inflammationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Spirituality on Depression-Induced Inflammation and Executive Functioning in a Community Sample of African Americans

et al. 2019

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African Americans (AAs) are disproportionately affected by cerebrovascular pathology and more likely to suffer from premature cognitive decline. Depression is a risk factor for poorer cognitive functioning, and research is needed to identify factors that serve to mitigate its negative effects. Studies have demonstrated positive influences of spirituality within the AA community. Determining whether spirituality attenuates the effects of depressive symptoms on cognitive functioning and the pathophysiological mechanisms that explain these relationships in AAs is paramount. This study examines the influence of daily spiritual experiences on the relationship between depressive symptoms and cognitive functioning, and how inflammatory markers may partially explain these associations. A sample of 212 (mean age= 45.6) participants completed the Daily Spiritual Experience Scale (DSES), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Trail Making Test A and B (TMT) and Stroop Color and Word Test (Stroop). Blood samples were collected to measure inflammatory mediators (IL-6, IL-1a, TNF-a). Linear regression analyses were used to evaluate associations. Higher BDI-II scores were associated with poorer psychomotor speed and visual scanning, measured by TMT A (B=1.49, P=.01). IL-6 explained a significant amount of variance in this relationship (B=.24, CI 95% [.00, .64]). IL-6 also significantly mediated the relationship between depressive symptoms and psychomotor speed and mental flexibility, measured by TMT B performance (B=.03, CI 95% [.003, .095]). Frequent spiritual experiences among AAs may ameliorate the negative influence of depressive symptoms on cognitive functioning.Ethn Dis. 2019;29(2):267-276; doi:10.18865/ed.29.2.267

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The Cultural Relevance of Mindfulness Meditation as a Health Intervention for African Americans

Cited by 154 publications

References 31 publications

Cancer-Related Search for Meaning Increases Willingness to Participate in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

Cancer-Related Search for Meaning Increases Willingness to Participate in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

Weight loss with mindful eating in African American women following treatment for breast cancer: a longitudinal study

Influence of Spirituality on Depression-Induced Inflammation and Executive Functioning in a Community Sample of African Americans

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