Search

Background: Mindfulness-based interventions can improve psychological health; yet the mechanisms of change are underexplored. This pre-registered remote RCT evaluated a freely accessible digital mindfulness programme aiming to improve well-being, mental health and sleep quality. Health behaviour cognitions were explored as possible mediators., Methods: Participants from 91 countries (N = 1247, M age  = 27.03 [9.04]) were randomized to 30 days of mindfulness practice or attention-matched control condition. Measures of well-being, depression, anxiety, stress, sleep quality, barriers self-efficacy, self-regulation and behavioural predictors (e.g., attitudes and behavioural intentions) were taken at baseline, 1-month (post-intervention) and 2-months (follow-up). Linear regression examined intervention effects between and within groups. Longitudinal mediation analyses explored indirect effects through health behaviour cognitions., Results: Three hundred participants completed post-intervention measures. Those receiving mindfulness training reported significantly better well-being (M difference  = 2.34, 95%CIs .45-4.24, p = .016), lower depression (M difference  = -1.47, 95%CIs -2.38 to -.56, p = .002) and anxiety symptoms (M difference  = -.77, 95%CIs -1.51 to -.02, p = .045) than controls. Improvements in well-being and depression were maintained at follow-up. Intervention effects on primary outcomes were mediated by attitudes towards health maintenance and behavioural intentions. Mediating effects of attitudes remained when controlling for prior scores in models of depression and well-being., Conclusions: Digital, self-administered mindfulness practice for 30 days meaningfully improved psychological health, at least partially due to improved attitudes towards health behaviours and stronger behavioural intentions. This trial found that digital mindfulness is a promising and scalable well-being tool for the general population, and highlighted its role in supporting health behaviours., (© 2024 The Author(s). British Journal of Health Psychology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Psychological Society.)

Objectives: The Covid-19 pandemic led the British Tinnitus Association to offer more online support to people with tinnitus. The aim of this study was to understand how low-intensity group-based digital interventions could benefit people with tinnitus., Design: Semi-structured interviews explored participants' experiences and views on receiving support via an online group., Study Sample: Sixteen people with tinnitus who had attended a recent online tinnitus group and/or workshop were recruited using convenience sampling., Results: Three overarching themes were extrapolated from the data: feeling part of a community, being reliably informed, and living better with tinnitus., Conclusions: Participants reported significant benefits from both types of online group. There was appreciation for the accessibility of help during lockdown, and participants felt that this type of support would continue to be valuable post-pandemic. As seen in research on face-to-face groups, benefits came from a supportive community of people with tinnitus and knowledgeable, skilled and trustworthy facilitation and information provision. Outcomes focussed on feeling less isolated, more informed and hopeful. Online groups could offer an accessible ongoing resource supporting people on their journey with tinnitus.

Background: Physical activity and mindfulness meditation can be effective for maintaining good mental wellbeing, with early-stage research suggesting even greater effectiveness in tandem. Literature is lacking on the perceptions and acceptability of these practices, particularly in a preventative context. The study aimed to explore attitudes toward mental health and its maintenance through physical activity and mindfulness meditation in the university student population., Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with a sample of 16 students from 10 United Kingdom universities ( M age  = 23 years, SD  = 3.22) recruited through social media and stratified to have varied wellbeing symptoms, physical activity levels, and experience with mindfulness meditation. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to elicit meaning from the data., Results: Four main themes were constructed. Participants held a " Dualist view of health ," in which mental and physical aspects were seen as distinct but connected, and prioritized physical health maintenance. The " Low-point paradox ," where engagement is most difficult during the time of greatest need, was identified as a crucial psychological barrier across health behaviors. " Unfamiliarity with mindfulness practice " was common, as were misconceptions inhibiting practice. Finally, participants were intrigued by combining physical activity and mindfulness, supposing that " Whole is greater than the sum of its parts ," with mutual reinforcement of the two techniques cited as biggest motivating factor., Conclusion: Effective preventative mental health strategies for adults, including university students, should accommodate for common psychological barriers and facilitators to health maintenance behaviors, including misconceptions surrounding mindfulness, to increase acceptability. Combining physical activity and mindfulness meditation is one promising preventative approach that warrants further investigation., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Remskar, Western, Maynard and Ainsworth.)

Poor student well-being at UK universities is overstretching institutional support services, highlighting a need for effective new resources. Despite extensive literature on mental health and well-being interventions, students' engagement with support remains unexplored. The study aimed to understand students' experience of engagement with well-being support, identify their well-being needs and form concrete recommendations for future intervention design and delivery. The Person-Based Approach to intervention design was followed to centralise users' experience, in turn maximising acceptability and effectiveness of resources. An online survey (N = 52) was followed by three focus groups (N = 14). Survey data were analysed descriptively, and reflexive thematic analysis was performed on qualitative data. Mixed-methods data integration produced four key student priorities for well-being resources - ease of access, inclusive and preventative approach, sense of community and a safe space, and applying skills to real-life contexts. Five actionable guiding principles for intervention design were produced through consultation with expert stakeholders. This work helps understand why and how students engage with support at university. The resulting recommendations can inform future intervention development, leading to more acceptable, engaging and effective student well-being resources., (© 2022 The Authors. Stress and Health published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)