Effectiveness evaluation of online Mindfulness in mental health and alcohol consumption in medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression, and alcohol consumption has increased among medical students. Mindfulness is an intervention to decrease these psychopathologies and alcohol consumption; however, evidence has shown unclear results regarding its efficacy. Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of an online Mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) on stress, anxiety, and depression symptomatology levels, as well as on alcohol consumption and mindfulness status in medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method. A quasi-experimental study was conducted on 237 students, obtaining sociodemographic data. In addition the levels of psychopathology, alcohol consumption, and state of mindfulness: were measured pre-and post-intervention through the DASS-21, AUDIT, and MASS instruments. Eight online Mindfulness sessions were conducted once a week for approximately one hour each. Results. MBI did not reduce levels of psychopathologies or alcohol consumption, nor did the mindfulness status improve. High levels of psychopathologies, dropout rate, and lack of voluntary participation were the main factors limiting the effectiveness of the online MBI. Discussion and conclusion. The online MBI wasn’t effective among the population under study: we recommend generation strategies where students are involved in and complete intervention programs. Results from this research will help enhance future online mindfulness interventions.

Consumo de sustancias psicoactivas y calidad de vida en empleados realizando teletrabajo durante pandemia del Covid-19

“…De acuerdo con la población analizada, se encuentran diferentes conclusiones, como las de Tavares et al (2020); Wang et al (2020); Restrepo y Arboleda (2021); Herrera y Vizioli (2021); Mejia-Lobo, Guarín y Sánchez (2022); Giraldo (2022); Tomasina y Pisani (2022); y, German-Ponciano et al (2023), quienes encontraron cifras de afectaciones en la salud mental, materializadas en ansiedad, angustia emocional, afectación en el sueño y en la alimentación, agotamiento físico y mental, depresión por efectos del confinamiento producido por la COVID-19 y por el desempeño laboral mediante teletrabajo y trabajo en casa. Asuntos que, en los resultados de la presente investigación, no evidencian cifras tan elevadas, sino que exponen un comportamiento conservador en escalas bajas, sin embargo, en las dimensiones medidas de calidad de vida en salud, la salud mental y el rol emocional son las más afectadas, principalmente en mujeres.…”