Community-Based Mindfulness Program for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion: Targeting Stress Reduction
Abstract
PURPOSE: Poorly managed stress leads to detrimental physical and psychological consequences that have implications for individual and community health. Evidence indicates that U.S. adults predominantly use unhealthy strategies for stress management. This study examines the impact of a community-based mindfulness training program on stress reduction. DESIGN: This study used a one-group pretest-posttest design. SETTING: The study took place at the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center in urban Los Angeles. SUBJECTS: A sample of N = 127 community residents (84% Caucasian, 74% female) were included in the study. INTERVENTION: Participants received mindfulness training through the Mindful Awareness Practices (MAPs) for Daily Living I. MEASURES: Mindfulness, self-compassion, and perceived stress were measured at baseline and postintervention. ANALYSIS: Paired-sample t-tests were used to test for changes in outcome measures from baseline to postintervention. Hierarchical regression analysis was fit to examine whether change in self-reported mindfulness and self-compassion predicted postintervention perceived stress scores. RESULTS: There were statistically significant improvements in self-reported mindfulness (t = -10.67, p < .001, d = .90), self-compassion (t = -8.50, p < .001, d = .62), and perceived stress (t = 9.28, p < .001, d = -.78) at postintervention. Change in self-compassion predicted postintervention perceived stress (β = -.44, t = -5.06, p < .001), but change in mindfulness did not predict postintervention perceived stress (β = -.04, t = -.41, p = .68). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that a community-based mindfulness training program can lead to reduced levels of psychological stress. Mindfulness training programs such as MAPs may offer a promising approach for general public health promotion through improving stress management in the urban community.
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There is a lack of research on MBSR for under- and unemployed individuals.
“While these are common issues for under- and unemployed individuals, there remains a lack of research on MBSR for this at-risk population, leaving questions about the potential positive impact of such programs.”
From Feasibility and Acceptability of a Community-Based Modified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program for the Under- and Unemployed (2020) · cites this paper as [25]
Adults in the U.S. predominantly use unhealthy strategies for managing stress.
“The evidence indicates that adults in the U.S. predominantly use unhealthy strategies for managing stress [8,9].”
From Comprehensive review of chronic stress pathways and the efficacy of behavioral stress reduction programs (BSRPs) in managing diseases. (2024) · cites this paper as [8]
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- Authors
- Galla, B. M., O'Reilly, G. A., Kitil, M. J., Smalley, S. L., & Black, D. S.
- Corresponding author
- Black, David S.
- Venue
- American Journal of Health Promotion
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2015-09
- Volume
- 30
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 36-41
- ISSN
- 0890-1171 (ISSN-L)
- 2168-6602
- OpenAlex
- W2136166700
- Cited by
- 39
- References
- 40
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 1
- FWCI
- 3.52
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- American Journal of Health Promotion (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health
- National Cancer Institute (T32CA009492)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health, psychology, and well-being
- Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
- Keywords
- mindfulness training, stress reduction, perceived stress, self-compassion, community-based intervention, health promotion, disease prevention, stress management strategies
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Empathy, Female, Health Promotion, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Stress, Psychological, Los Angeles, Meditation, Mindfulness
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