Critical Mindfulness in Social Work: Exploring the Potential of Reflexive Self-Care in the Journey from Student to Social Worker

May combine two claims.

Mindfulness may constitute a 'technology of the self' by increasing participants' awareness of internalised oppression, loosening attachment to negative self-constructs and engendering kindlier inner dialogues.

“This supports the proposition that mindfulness may constitute a 'technology of the self' (Ng, 2016), by increasing participants' awareness of internalised oppression (Berila, 2016), loosening attachment to negative selfconstructs and engendering kindlier inner dialogues (Fredrickson et al., 2008;Dougan, 2011).”

• cites Ng, 2016Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Berila, 2016Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Fredrickson et al., 2008 sourcePartly supported

  The paper describes loving-kindness meditation as cultivating warmth and caring toward oneself and others, which partly supports the idea of a kindlier relationship with oneself. It does not report that participants loosened attachment to negative self-constructs or developed kindlier inner dialogues. The Discussion also notes that the study found no increase in its measure of compassion. (LLM, conf=0.82)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

May combine two claims.

Some participants struggled with emotionally challenging experiences and felt they had to downplay them, mirroring reports of social work cultures that encourage the suppression of emotion.

“A vivid sense of some participants struggling with emotionally challenging experiences and feeling they had to downplay them -as one put it, to be a”

• cites Rajan-Rankin, 2014 sourceSupported

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

For Sarah, this amounted to a recognition of the validity of her needs and identity in her own right.

“For Sarah, this amounted to a recognition of the validity of her needs and identity in her own right:”

May combine two claims.

The key themes to emerge from a pre-programme qualitative questionnaire were difficulties managing stress and desire to find ways of improving this.

“The key themes to emerge from a pre-programme qualitative questionnaire were, difficulties managing stress and desire to finds ways of improving this, which is consistent with other research (Howie et al., 2016).”

• cites Howie et al., 2016 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Maureen described gaining awareness of how she associated motherhood with normative tasks, such as housework, that required sacrifice on her part.

“Relatedly, Maureen described gaining awareness of how she associated motherhood with normative tasks, such as housework, that required sacrifice on her part:”

May combine two claims.

Sarah and Maureen were the only participants with children and both spoke of feeling guilty for not matching up to their expectations as mothers.

“Sarah and Maureen were the only participants with children and both spoke of feeling guilty for not matching up to their expectations as mothers.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Iris reported how one NVC practice revealed her tendency to castigate herself.

“For example, Iris reported how one NVC practice revealed her tendency to castigate herself:”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

These insights reflected participants' deepening explorations of self.

“These insights reflected participants' deepening explorations of self.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

For Sarah, competing demands related to studying and working intersected with her guilt, leading to a realisation that she had internalised a set of unreachable ideals.

“For Sarah, this intersected with competing demands related to studying and working, leading to a realisation that she had internalised a set of unreachable ideals:”

May combine two claims.

NVC was credited with deepening participants' understanding of empathy and providing a tangible means of translating it into practice.

“Overall, NVC was credited with deepening participants' understanding of empathy and, importantly, for providing a tangible means of translating it into practice.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Maureen identified the organisational environment as a major obstacle to dealing constructively with the day-to-day emotional labour of post-qualifying practice.

“Maureen identified the organisational environment as a major obstacle to dealing constructively with the day-to-day emotional labour of post-qualifying practice”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Maureen relayed how mindfulness and self-compassion practices enabled her to step out of a habit of personalising and internalising her mental health experiences as 'something wrong' with her.

“She relayed how mindfulness and self-compassion practices enabled her to step out of a habit of personalising and internalising it as “something wrong” with her.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Orla relayed how using mindfulness practices enabled her to counter this 'label' by stepping back and recognise anxious thoughts as just thoughts, rather than 'the truth'.

“Orla relayed how using mindfulness practices enabled her to counter this 'label' by stepping back and recognise anxious thoughts as just thoughts, rather than “the truth”.”

May combine two claims.

Participants reported that the in-situ use of mindfulness enabled them to be more present with service users and reduce tendencies to personalise difficult exchanges, including in response to anger.

“Participants reported that the in-situ use of mindfulness enabled them to be more present with service users and reduce tendencies to personalise difficult exchanges, including in response to anger:”

May combine two claims.

Mindfulness was reported as central to participants' ability to engage reflexively, with seven participants giving examples of its use in practice and personal time.

“The role of mindfulness was, however, reported as central, with seven participants giving examples of its use in practice situations and in personal time.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Iris linked this tendency to internalised assumptions about her own and others' expectations and described being better able to identify those assumptions as 'constructs' and relate to herself with greater acceptance for being who she was and doing 'what's good' for her.

“She linked this tendency to internalised assumptions about her own and others' expectations and described being better able to identify those assumptions as “constructs” and relate to herself with greater acceptance for being who she was and doing “what's good” for her.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Maureen described this as a reflexive process, in which the worker enables the service user to articulate feelings such as anger and frustration to arrive at a clearer mutual understanding of the experience and its antecedents.

“She described this as a reflexive process, in which the worker enables the service user to articulate feelings such as anger and frustration to arrive at a clearer mutual understanding of the experience and its antecedents:”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Participants recounted decisions including placing siblings with different foster carers.

“This included placing siblings with different foster carers, raising the question”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Maureen described recognising feelings of shame related to depression.

“Maureen also described recognising feelings of shame related to depression.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Helen identified NVC as a counter to 'back and forth' modes of communication that get stuck and pathologise service users.

“Helen identified NVC as a counter to “back and forth” modes of communication that get stuck and pathologise services users.”

May combine two claims.

Participants had enhanced awareness of their own emotional states, their potential negative impact on interactions, and used mindfulness practices to bracket them.

“This rests firstly on participants' enhanced awareness of their own emotional states, their potential negative impact on interactions and the use of mindfulness practices to bracket them (Gockel and Deng, 2016;Kinman, Grant and Kelly, 2019).”

• cites Gockel and Deng, 2016 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Kinman, Grant and Kelly, 2019Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Maureen related her internalised view to dyslexia, identifying a causal relationship between negative responses from educators and the development of this internalised view.

“Maureen related it to dyslexia, identifying a causal relationship between negative responses from educators and the development of this internalised view:”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Participants felt pressured to dress-up decisions related to a lack of resources, for example returning a young person to her mother despite significant risk.

“It also involved feeling pressured to dress-up decisions related to a lack of resources in organisational”

May combine two claims.

Despite their positive impact, participants indicated that the processes described fluctuated, citing examples of where they reverted to negative self-conceptualisations.

“Despite their positive impact, participants indicated that the processes described fluctuated, citing examples of where they reverted to negative self-conceptualisations, such as a “do I deserve it mode?”(Maria).”

May combine two claims.

In pre-qualifying employment and as NQSWs, mindfulness enhanced acknowledgment of tendencies to avoid conflict with people in power and improved confidence in addressing practice challenges including workload.

“In pre-qualifying employment and as NQSWs, it was found to enhance acknowledgment of tendencies to avoid conflict with people in power and improve confidence in addressing practice challenges, including workload”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Connecting with this frustration led Orla to further explore the woman's history through discussion with a senior colleague and recognise the role trauma played in her presentation and how this was linked to her need for frequent reassurance.

“Connecting with this frustration led to further exploration of the woman's history through discussion with a senior colleague and recognition of the role trauma played in her presentation, and how this was linked to her need for frequent reassurance.”

May combine two claims.

Mindfulness was valued as a 'reserve' to tap into when feeling under pressure and as important in juggling competing demands of placement, study, work and personal life.

“The value of mindfulness was encapsulated in various ways, including, as a”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

In her analysis, Maureen cited using NVC as a mechanism for getting beneath service users' comments in order to understand the needs and experiences of social disenfranchisement informing their behaviours.

“In her analysis, Maureen cited using NVC as a mechanism for getting beneath service users' comments in order to understand the needs and experiences of social disenfranchisement informing their behaviours.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Orla advised that this enabled her to adapt a more trauma-informed approach, while being open with the woman about limitations on her time as a student and agreeing a strategy with her for accessing support.

“Orla advised that this enabled her to adapt a more trauma-informed approach, while at the same time being open with the woman about the limitations on her time as a student and agreeing a strategy with her for accessing support.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Key to NVC's perceived value was a capacity for engendering empathy.

“Key to its perceived value was a capacity for engendering empathy.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

NVC was valued by Iris for countering discriminatory tropes such as 'hard to reach' service users.

“She commented on its value in countering discriminatory tropes, such as”

May combine two claims.

The findings showed transformative change across a range of areas for the six participants who completed the mindfulness programme and for two who continued with mindfulness practices independently after leaving.

“The findings showed transformative change across a range of areas for the six participants who completed the mindfulness programme (Helen, Iris, Maria, Maureen, Orla and Sarah) and for two who were unable to finish, but had continued with mindfulness practices independently after leaving (David and Francis) (pseudonyms).”

May combine two claims.

NVC emerged as an enabler, allowing better understanding of the social context for behaviours, prioritising service user voice, reframing pathologising narratives and helping to side-step conflictual modes of communication.

“NVC emerged as an enabler in this process, allowing for a better understanding of the social context for behaviours, prioritising service user voice, reframing pathologising narratives and helping to side-step conflictual modes of communication (Suarez et al., 2014).”

• cites Suarez et al., 2014 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

Stepping back and using needs/feelings analysis helped minimise blame and encourage identification of broader social factors including trauma and labelling.

“Here, stepping back and using needs/feelings analysis helped minimise blame and encourage identification of broader social factors, including trauma and labelling.”

May combine two claims.

Mindfulness supported constructive working practices including leaving work on time and maintaining clearer work/home boundaries.

“It also supported constructive working practices, including, leaving work on time and maintaining clearer work/home boundaries (Iris, Maureen, Sarah, Orla, Maria)”

May combine two claims.

The use of mindfulness as a critical self-care practice helped mitigate tendencies to internalise stress and support questioning of the organisational factors involved.

“In this, the use of mindfulness as a critical self-care practice was found to help mitigate tendencies to internalise stress and support questioning of the organisational factors involved.”

May combine two claims.

Participants' developing insights regarding self and identity constructs were supported by mindfulness, NVC and compassion practices, and these constructs are informed by social norms and stereotypes.

“They convey how participants' developing insights were supported by mindfulness, NVC and compassion practices regarding self and identity constructs, and how these are informed by social norms and stereotypes.”

May combine two claims.

For most participants, needs and compassion practices helped precipitate recognition of being strongly predisposed towards meeting other people's needs before their own and highlighted associations between gender and role of carer.

“For most, this helped precipitate recognition of being strongly predisposed towards meeting other people's needs before their own and highlighted associations between gender and role of carer (Maureen; Sarah; Helen; Iris).”

May combine two claims.

The themes were validating the importance of self-care and developing awareness of internalised oppression; supporting reflexive engagement with service users; and better mitigating distress and role conflict.

“These were: validating the importance of self-care and developing awareness of internalised oppression; supporting reflexive engagement with service users; and better mitigating distress and role conflict.”

May combine two claims.

For students and social workers, critical mindfulness holds the potential to enable self-care that provides relief from work-related stress, but also enhance awareness of the role of inequality and power including organisational pressure in defining their and service users' experiences.

“For students and social workers, this holds the potential to enable self-care that provides relief from work-related stress, but also enhance awareness of the role of inequality and powerincluding organisational pressure -in defining their and service users' experiences.”

May combine two claims.

Mindfulness practices such as meditation cannot side-step difficult social and economic conditions, but may provide space for a person to see how they have been shaped by them.

“The argument is that while mindfulness practices such as meditation cannot side-stepping difficult social and economic conditions, they may provide space for a person to see how they have been shaped by them.”

• cites Ng, 2016Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Mindfulness is subject to growing censure for having been co-opted to consumerist ends, signified by the term 'McMindfulness'.

“Mindfulness is, however, subject to growing censure for having been co-opted to consumerist ends; the term 'McMindfulness' signifying its dislocation from Buddhist ethics and reconfiguration as an individualistic, feel-good distraction from modern ills and enabler of fitness for the employment market (Purser, 2019).”

• cites Purser, 2019Not checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

Critical mindfulness represents a form of self-care that may help alleviate personal distress, but might also facilitate insight into how it is mediated at individual and collective levels.

“Positioned this way, critical mindfulness represents a form of self-care that may help alleviate personal distress, but might also facilitate insight into how it is mediated at individual and collective levels.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Ng frames mindfulness as a critical means of self-care that may question conformity by enhancing awareness of how the self is shaped by the choices the self makes and how this process is conditioned by an 'analytic of governmentality'.

“Drawing upon Foucault's work on 'technologies of the self', Ng (ibid.)frames mindfulness as a critical means of self-care; one that may question conformity by enhancing awareness of how the self is shaped by the choices the self makes and how this process is conditioned by an 'analytic of governmentality', centred on prevailing ideology and social norms.”

• cites Ng, 2016Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Despite evidence for the organisational and structural origins of stress, the emphasis on resilience directs attention to the social worker, exhorting them to adapt.

“Viewed in this way, despite the evidence for the organisational and structural origins of stress within the profession, the emphasis on resilience directs attention to the social worker, exhorting them to adapt, in order: … to achieve psychological fitness for the rigors of neo-liberalism's relentless and unending competition (Garrett, 2015, p.13).”

• cites Garrett, 2015 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

Work-related stress compromises efficacy in professional care-givers and has negative implications for practice with service users.

“Work-related stress is known to compromise efficacy in professional care-givers, therefore also having negative implications for practice with service users (Greenglass et al., 2003).”

• cites Greenglass et al., 2003 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Reflexivity involves awareness of social work as a process in which interactions are influenced by factors including power and socialisation.

“Reflexivity is defined in different ways but the iteration referred to here (Houston and Marshall, 2020) involves awareness of social work as a process in which interactions are influenced by factors including power and socialisation; the argument being that practice lacking in reflexive awareness will compound oppression.”

• cites Houston and Marshall, 2020Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

There is a substantial body of evidence attesting to mindfulness's efficacy for mitigating stress in a wide range of professional contexts.

“Defined as the ability to foster present moment, non-judgemental awareness (Kabat-Zinn, 1991), there is now a substantial body of evidence attesting to its efficacy for mitigating stress in a wide range of professional contexts (Khoury et al., 2015).”

• cites Khoury et al., 2015 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The emergent concept of 'critical mindfulness' explores the potential of mindfulness as a critically informed practice.

“In response, the emergent concept of 'critical mindfulness' (Ng, 2016) explores the potential of mindfulness as a critically informed practice.”

• cites Ng, 2016Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

One study found that mindfulness engendered awareness of how social work students' habits of mind, including categorising people into 'good' and 'bad', contributed to oppression.

“One found that mindfulness engendered awareness of how social work students' habits of mind, including categorising people into 'good and 'bad', contributed to oppression (Wong, 2004).”

• cites Wong, 2004Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Reflexivity enables practitioners to be sensitive to the sway of power and ideology on themselves and service users and to reflect on how personal and social domains have shaped meaning, narrative, biography and life-course.

“Houston and Marshall (ibid., p.5) suggest that reflexivity enables practitioners: … to be sensitive to the sway of power and ideology on themselves and service users… it assists them to reflect on how various personal and social domains have shaped meaning, narrative, biography and the life-course.”

• cites Houston and Marshall, 2020Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Three participants left the programme before finishing: two males due to a clash with new employment over the summer period but continued to practise mindfulness in their own time; and one female who felt it would be too time-consuming.

“Three participants left the programme before finishing: two males, who described being unable to see it through due to a clash with new employment over the summer period, but who continued to practise mindfulness in their own time; and one female who felt it would be too time-consuming.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Thematic analysis enabled discernment of patterns in experience and how participants made sense of them.

“The former enabled discernment of patterns in experience and how participants made sense of them (Braun and Clarke, 2006).”

• cites Braun and Clarke, 2006 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Practice lacking in reflexive awareness will compound oppression.

“Reflexivity is defined in different ways but the iteration referred to here (Houston and Marshall, 2020) involves awareness of social work as a process in which interactions are influenced by factors including power and socialisation; the argument being that practice lacking in reflexive awareness will compound oppression.”

• cites Houston and Marshall, 2020Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Longitudinal qualitative research enabled the investigation of participants' experiences of using mindfulness over time.

“LQR enabled the investigation of participants' experiences of using mindfulness over time (Holland et al., 2006).”

• cites Holland et al., 2006Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Six participants completed the programme, all of whom were female in the 20 to 30 age range.

“Six participants completed the programme, all of whom were female in the 20 to 30 age range.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

There is a relatively small but growing research base exploring mindfulness in social work, mainly in North America.

“There is a relatively small but growing research base exploring mindfulness in social work, mainly in North America.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Framework analysis allowed for comparison at different stages and the identification of possible causes of change for each participant over time.

“The latter allowed for comparison at different stages and the identification of possible causes of change for each participant over time (Lewis, 2007).”

• cites Lewis, 2007 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Transformative learning theory was selected to evaluate any reported changes, consistent with its focus on the potential of education to alter people's sense-making in emancipatory ways.

“Transformative learning theory was selected to evaluate any reported changes, consistent with its focus on the potential of education to alter people's sense-making in emancipatory ways (McCusker, 2013).”

• cites McCusker, 2013 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The study's extended length afforded a significantly longer data gathering period than most qualitative studies in mindfulness.

“This also afforded a significantly longer data gathering period than most qualitative studies in mindfulness.”

May combine two claims.

Hick and Furlotte (2010) employed 'radical mindfulness training' with 'severely economically disadvantaged' people, with results showing increases in self-compassion and life satisfaction.

“In another, Hick and Furlotte (2010) employed 'radical mindfulness training' with 'severely economically disadvantaged' people, with results showing increases in self-compassion and life satisfaction.”

• cites Hick and Furlotte (2010) sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Hick and Furlotte's typology finds parallels between 'radical mindfulness training' and critical social theory in facilitating insight into how daily life is coloured by the social relations of oppression.

“Theoretical propositions include Hick and Furlotte's (2009) typology, which finds parallels between 'radical mindfulness training' and critical social theory in facilitating insight into how daily life is coloured by “the social relations of oppression” (p.15).”

• cites Hick and Furlotte's (2009)Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

It was not possible to determine the reasons for attrition.

“It was not possible to determine the reasons for attrition and numerous factors may have a played a role; for example, the programme start was delayed from January to May due to scheduling problems, which may have impacted in terms of participants' motivation or availability.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Sixteen students signed up to participate in the mindfulness programme, but this reduced to nine at its commencement.

“Sixteen students signed up to participate in the mindfulness programme, however, this reduced to nine at its commencement; seven females and two males, all of white British ethnicity, eight in the 20-30 and one in the 40-50 age ranges.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Participatory action research supported participants and researchers in a process of co-constructing knowledge and developing critical self-awareness.

“Drawing on McIntyre's (2008) definition, PAR, supported participants and researchers in a process of coconstructing knowledge and developing critical self-awareness.”

• cites McIntyre's (2008) sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

In a recent study, social workers reported significant decreases in stress and more positive relationships with peers and supervisors following mindfulness training compared to a waiting group.

“For example, in a recent study, social workers reported significant decreases in stress and more positive relationships with peers and supervisors following mindfulness training compared to a waiting group (Crowder and Sears, 2017).”

• cites Crowder and Sears, 2017 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The ethnic, gender and age characteristics of the group reflected that of the MSW student cohort as a whole.

“The ethnic, gender and age characteristics of the group reflected that of the MSW student cohort as a whole and, consequently, it is difficult to draw inferences about their role in the decision to take part.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Longitudinal framework analysis allowed the dynamics of change to be carefully examined and compared over time.

“Longitudinal framework analysis allowed for the dynamics of change to be carefully examined and compared over time.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

This pivoted on acknowledging needs and feelings to build relationships and understand the social context of behaviour.

“This also pivoted on acknowledging needs and feelings to build relationships and understand the social context of behaviour.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

In all data gathering activity, participants were asked to evidence reports of change with examples from personal experience, placement and/or post-qualifying practice.

“Also, in all data gathering activity, participants were asked to evidence reports of change with examples from personal experience, placement and/or post-qualifying practice.”

May combine two claims.

Limitations of the study include a reliance on self-reporting, the small sample size and the potential for researcher bias.

“Other limitations include a reliance on self-reporting, the small sample size and the potential for researcher bias, which the research design sought to mitigate in a number of ways.”

May combine two claims.

Overall, the changes suggest an emerging relationship between mindfulness practice and increased reflexivity, with narratives conveying shifts towards less oppressive self-identifications, based on greater awareness of the influence of social norms and the importance of meeting their own needs.

“Overall, however, the changes suggest an emerging relationship between mindfulness practice and increased reflexivity, with narratives conveying shifts towards less oppressive self-identifications, based on greater awareness of the influence of social norms and the importance of meeting their own needs.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The reported changes in participants' self-perceptions and practice can be attributed to the mindfulness programme rather than to other concurrent factors.
• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Participants' self-reports in interviews and discussion groups accurately reflect their experiences and changes.
• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The six participants who completed the programme are sufficiently representative of MSc Social Work students and newly qualified social workers to draw implications about the potential of critical mindfulness for this population.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The involvement of all participants and researchers at each stage of data analysis may have lessened the potential for researcher bias, but this was outwith the project's timeframe and resources.

“Similarly, the involvement of all participants and researchers at each stage of data analysis may have lessened the potential for researcherbias, however, this was out-with the project's timeframe and resources.”

May combine two claims.

The study offers preliminary indications of how critical mindfulness might encourage reflexive self-care within social work education and practice, extending beyond individual/therapeutic notions of self-care and constituting practices that provide insight into identity and behaviour in relation to self and others.

“Overall, the study offers preliminary indications of how critical mindfulness might encourage reflexive self-care within social work education and practice, extending beyond individual/therapeutic notions of self-care and constituting practices that provide insight into identity and behaviour in relation to self and others (Wong, 2004(Wong, , 2014)).”

• cites Wong, 2004Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Wong, 2014Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Participants were invited to explain the processes at play and encouraged to consider other influencing factors.

“They were also invited to explain, as far as possible, the processes at play and encouraged to consider other influencing factors.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The study's first limitation relates to intersectionality and how it manifested in participants' sense of self and personal histories.

“The first relates to intersectionality and how this manifested in participants' sense of self and personal histories.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The findings are limited in the extent to which they can account for the multiplicity of variables at play, including potential participant-bias.

“The findings are, however, limited in the extent to which they can account for the multiplicity of variables at play, including potential participant-bias.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

More direct and consistent emphases on intersectional issues in the sampling strategy, programme content and data gathering methods were warranted given the study's concern with reflexivity.

“As indicated, identity constructs, including motherhood, gender, mental health and disability were explored, but more direct and consistent emphases on intersectional issues in the sampling strategy, programme content and data gathering methods were warranted given the study's concern with reflexivity.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

These findings offer encouraging insights into the emergent potential of a critical conceptualisation of mindfulness in the transition from social work student to NQSW.

“These findings offer some encouraging insights into the emergent potential of a critical conceptualisation of mindfulness in the transition from social work student to NQSW.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The six participants who completed the programme were asked the same questions in each of the three interviews, enabling answers to be compared for consistency regarding the nature of change and potential causal factors.

“In this, the six participants who completed the programme were asked the same questions in each of the three interviews, thus enabling answers to be compared for consistency regarding the nature of change and potential causal factors (Holland et al., 2006).”

• cites Holland et al., 2006Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Sufficient information was provided to prospective participants in three phased introduction sessions prior to receiving their informed consent.

“This included providing sufficient information to prospective participants in three phased introduction sessions prior to receiving their informed consent.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The finding that mindfulness helps mitigate internalising stress and questioning organisational factors does not appear to have featured elsewhere in the social work literature, but it aligns with Houston and Marshall's focus on the organisational domain in reflexive practice.

“To date, this does not appear to have featured elsewhere in the social work literature, but it aligns with Houston and Marshall's (2020) focus on the organisational domain in reflexive practice.”

• cites Houston and Marshall, 2020Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

A strategy for dealing with any emotional upset was developed, including providing immediate and follow-on support.

“In addition, a strategy for dealing with any emotional upset was developed, which included providing immediate and follow-on support.”

May combine two claims.

Critical mindfulness has a role in reflexive understanding and engagement with service users, helping locate their experience in social contexts and facilitating empathic engagement.

“The findings also indicate a role for critical mindfulness in reflexive understanding and engagement with service users, that helps locate their experience in social contexts and facilitates empathic engagement.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The host university gave ethical approval and a £2000 scholarship grant.

“The host university gave ethical approval and a £2000 scholarship grant.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Mindfulness represents one of a number of possible approaches.

“In this, mindfulness represents one of a number of possible approaches.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Zeni's guidance helped minimise ethical risk around the time commitment involved and the lead researcher's status as a member of academic staff.

“Zeni's (2009) guidance helped minimise ethical risk around the time commitment involved and the lead researcher's status as a member of academic staff.”

• cites Zeni, 2009Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.