Influence on Forgiveness, Character Strengths and Satisfaction with Life of a Short Mindfulness Intervention via a Spanish Smartphone Application

Abstract

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) are a recognized effective psychological practice characterized by attention control, awareness, acceptance, non-reactivity, and non-judgmental thinking obtained through the practice of meditation. They have been shown to be useful in reducing stress and enhancing well-being in different contexts. In this research, the effectiveness of an MBI was evaluated on variables that can promote successful job performance such as mindfulness trait, positive and negative affect, forgiveness, personality strengths and satisfaction with life. The intervention was carried out through a smartphone application called “Aire Fresco” (Fresh Air) during 14 days in the middle of the quarantine produced by the Covid-19 pandemic. The study sample was composed of 164 Spanish people who were distributed in two groups: control group and experimental group, which were evaluated before and after the intervention. The MANCOVA performed showed an overall positive effect of the intervention on the variables evaluated. The different ANCOVAs carried out showed that the intervention was beneficial in increasing mindfulness trait, reducing negative affect or increasing life satisfaction, among others. Our study is, as far as we know, the first to demonstrate the effectiveness of a brief intervention in mindfulness conducted using a smartphone application in Spanish.

The Role of Mindfulness and Life Satisfaction in Psychological Distress During the COVID-19 Lockdown in New Zealand: a Quasi-experimental Study

“…It follows that mindfulness could contribute to greater life satisfaction, because it engenders appreciating the present moment and learning to let go of judgments or taking a nonjudgmental stance towards one’s own evaluations (Kabat-Zinn, 2001 ). Indeed, a mindfulness-based intervention facilitated in Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic was shown to have significantly increased life satisfaction levels among a large sample of students (Pizarro-Ruiz et al, 2021 ).…”

Effects of COVID-19 Mental Health Interventions among Community-based Children, Adolescents, and Adults: A Living Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials

“…The 6 trials 25-30 that tested standard interventions minimally adapted for mental health during COVID-19 were conducted in Oman (N = 46), 25 Malaysia (N = 61), 26 Spain (N = 164), 27 Iran (N = 150), 28 Serbia (N = 104), 29 and China (N = 104). 30 Participants were recruited via social media, 26,29 an internet survey, 25 and a university email list; 27 in 2 trials, recruitment method was not reported.…”

“…The 6 trials 25-30 that tested standard interventions minimally adapted for mental health during COVID-19 were conducted in Oman (N = 46), 25 Malaysia (N = 61), 26 Spain (N = 164), 27 Iran (N = 150), 28 Serbia (N = 104), 29 and China (N = 104). 30 Participants were recruited via social media, 26,29 an internet survey, 25 and a university email list; 27 in 2 trials, recruitment method was not reported. 28,30 Two trials tested standard cognitive behavioural therapy delivered individually (6 sessions) 25 or in groups (10 sessions) 28 ; both reported targeting mental health symptoms from COVID-19, but neither described COVID-19-specific intervention adaptations.…”

“…Two interventions tested standard self-guided journaling (one session) 25 or expressive writing (5 sessions) 29 adapted by instructing participants to write about experiences during the pandemic. Two tested self-guided mindfulness apps (14 sessions) 27 or audio recordings (5 sessions) 30 that were described as targeting COVID-19 mental health symptoms but did not describe clear adaptations for COVID-19 challenges.…”

“…29 The two studies that tested app-based or audio-recorded mindfulness interventions reported statistically significant effects on several variables in favour of the intervention. 27,30 The only trial that tracked adverse effects reported no adverse effects. 24…”