Perceptions of Mindfulness in a Low-Income, Primarily African American Treatment-Seeking Sample

Abstract

Individuals with low socioeconomic status (SES) and members of racial/ethnic minority groups often experience profound disparities in mental health and physical well-being. Mindfulness-based interventions show promise for improving mood and health behaviors in higher-SES and non-Latino White populations. However, research is needed to explore what types of adaptations, if any, are needed to best support underserved populations. This study used qualitative methods to gain information about a) perceptions of mindfulness, b) experiences with meditation, c) barriers to practicing mindfulness, and d) recommendations for tailoring mindfulness-based interventions in a low-income, primarily African American treatment-seeking sample. Eight focus groups were conducted with 32 adults (16 men and 16 women) currently receiving services at a community mental health center. Most participants (91%) were African American. Focus group data were transcribed and analyzed using NVivo 10. A team of coders reviewed the transcripts to identify salient themes. Relevant themes included beliefs that mindfulness practice might improve mental health (e.g., managing stress and anger more effectively) and physical health (e.g., improving sleep and chronic pain, promoting healthier behaviors). Participants also discussed ways in which mindfulness might be consistent with, and even enhance, their religious and spiritual practices. Results could be helpful in tailoring mindfulness-based treatments to optimize feasibility and effectiveness for low-SES adults receiving mental health services.

Text Messaging to Enhance Mindfulness-Based Smoking Cessation Treatment: Program Development Through Qualitative Research

“…Overall, the concept of mindfulness and related SMS text messages were well received in this sample of low-income, predominantly African American adults. Given that the majority of research on mindfulness has been conducted with higher income, primarily Caucasian samples, this study adds to the growing literature on perceived acceptability and utility of mindfulness interventions in lower income, African American samples [19,38,39]. Participants in mindfulness treatment studies often do not practice mindfulness on their own as much as instructed [20].…”

“…Such messages might also fit well in the context of mindfulness treatment. For example, in a qualitative study of mindfulness among low-income, primarily African American adults, participants noted practicing mindfulness through religious or spiritual experiences (eg, while praying, listening to religious music, or reading sacred texts [19]). Although mindfulness-based smoking cessation treatment is typically taught in a secular context, it may be worthwhile to encourage individuals to incorporate spirituality in any way that is helpful.…”

“…Practicing a nonjudgmental, compassionate attitude toward oneself could be especially useful for people from marginalized backgrounds [18], and mindfulness practice (eg, mindfully focusing on one’s breath) does not require a high level of education or resources. We found that low SES, predominantly African American adults perceived the ability to practice mindfulness on their own (regardless of availability of external resources) as empowering and beneficial to both mental and physical health [19]. Regardless of the target population, between-session mindfulness practice (eg, sitting meditation, gentle yoga, mindful awareness of breath) is thought to be integral in producing benefits [10].…”

Efficacy of a mindful-eating programme to reduce emotional eating in patients suffering from overweight or obesity in primary care settings: a cluster-randomised trial protocol

“…Restricted randomisation will be applied to balance clusters, creating comparable arms in terms of the number of clusters but also in the average per capita income of the assigned population to each PC health centre 79. The rationale of this is that this variable has been inversely related to the presence of overweight and obesity,80 81 and also to possible limitations in gaining benefits after mindfulness-based programmes 82. The maximally homogeneous cluster pairs in the average per capita income at the level of PC health centres will be matched and randomly divided between the intervention and control arms, as shown in figure 1.…”

Contemplative Practices: A Strategy to Improve Health and Reduce Disparities

“…Truly achieving improved health for all will require a tolerant and compassionate society, and with increased awareness and clarity comes the action to build the requisite systems to promote social and health equity, as well as the economic transformation needed to improve the lives of future generations [ 46 ]. A progressive increase in prescribing contemplative practices as a low- or no-cost, self-empowering tool for increasing spiritual awareness and improving health and self-reliance could help to reach low income, disenfranchised and often racial/ethnic minority communities that suffer most from societal-based stresses and high rates of treatable health disparities [ 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 ].…”