Efeitos do programa Mindfulness (versão adaptada) sobre a qualidade de vida em uma população universitária

Abstract

There is evidence that the Mindfulness program, which seeks full consciousness, has been used to improve the quality of life on persons with anxiety, depression, stress, and chronic pain. The therapy has behavioral, cognitive, and relaxation elements and does not involve a religious or spirituals components. The objective of this study was to explore, to know and to analyze the effects of 4 sessions of Mindfulness (adapted version) in 3 groups whose application's strategies of the program were different. One of the groups received classic intervention, while for the others there was inclusion of practices related to the positive psychology in relation to the happiness construct. To evaluate the possible effects, the following instruments were used: SF-36 to evaluate the quality of life; anxiety, depression and stress (EADS); subjective happiness scale; semi structured interview; weekly records. Evaluations were made at the beginning and at the end of the intervention. A complementary research design was used, combining quantitative and qualitative methods, which allowed to show positive effects on the mental health and quality of life of the participants. Overall, there was a decrease in stress, anxiety and depression indexes and an improvement in the mental component of the participants' quality of life. In conclusion, however, the association of positive psychology strategies to the Mindfulness potentializes the benefits which result in improve of stress, anxiety, depression and quality of life.