Development and Effectiveness of a Web-Based Mindfulness Intervention for Families Living with Mental Illness
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Abstract
Background: Living close to a person with mental illness (MI) can contribute to feelings of added burden. Of families living with MI, 40% experience such psychological distress that they require therapeutic intervention. Mindfulness based interventions (MFI) show positive psychological effects on participants, i.e. increased subjective well-being, reduced psychological symptoms and emotional reactivity, and improved behavioral regulation, but also effectiveness in reducing caregiver stress.
Objective: The project’s aim is to develop and assess the effectiveness of a web based mindfulness program to support families living with mental illness. The main hypothesis is that participation in a web based MFI diminishes perceived stress and caregiver burden, enhances well-being, self-compassion and quality of life in participants through increased mindfulness.
Methods: The project includes: (1) a feasibility study (n=approx 40); (2) a randomized controlled study (RCT) to compare the effectiveness of an online MFI in an experimental group with a no treatment control group (n= will be based on power calculation based on results from feasibility study) that will be offered the program after post-assessment; and (3) a qualitative study to further explore the experienced value and usefulness of participating in an online MFI, motivation/hinders for participation, and possible confounders (n= approx 20).
Quantitative data will be collected through a socio-demographic questionnaire, validated self-assessment scales online pre- and post-intervention, and at a 6 months follow-up: Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) to measure aspects of mindfulness; CarerQoL7-D for caregiver burden; Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) to measure the degree to which situations in life in the past month are appraised as unpredictable, uncontrollable and overwhelming; the Scales of Psychological Well-Being measures self-acceptance, positive relations with others, autonomy, environmental mastery, purpose in life, and personal growth; Self-Compassion Scale (SFS) measures self-compassion, an aspect of mindfulness. Qualitative data will be collected through semi-structured interviews/focus groups.
Results: Research in progress. Quantitative data will be analyzed with descriptive and analytic statistics. Qualitative data will be analyzed with inductive qualitative analysis.
Conclusions: The project will contribute with further knowledge on the use and value of e-health solutions for families living with MI and add to the body of knowledge related to mindfulness for this specific population.
Objective: The project’s aim is to develop and assess the effectiveness of a web based mindfulness program to support families living with mental illness. The main hypothesis is that participation in a web based MFI diminishes perceived stress and caregiver burden, enhances well-being, self-compassion and quality of life in participants through increased mindfulness.
Methods: The project includes: (1) a feasibility study (n=approx 40); (2) a randomized controlled study (RCT) to compare the effectiveness of an online MFI in an experimental group with a no treatment control group (n= will be based on power calculation based on results from feasibility study) that will be offered the program after post-assessment; and (3) a qualitative study to further explore the experienced value and usefulness of participating in an online MFI, motivation/hinders for participation, and possible confounders (n= approx 20).
Quantitative data will be collected through a socio-demographic questionnaire, validated self-assessment scales online pre- and post-intervention, and at a 6 months follow-up: Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) to measure aspects of mindfulness; CarerQoL7-D for caregiver burden; Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) to measure the degree to which situations in life in the past month are appraised as unpredictable, uncontrollable and overwhelming; the Scales of Psychological Well-Being measures self-acceptance, positive relations with others, autonomy, environmental mastery, purpose in life, and personal growth; Self-Compassion Scale (SFS) measures self-compassion, an aspect of mindfulness. Qualitative data will be collected through semi-structured interviews/focus groups.
Results: Research in progress. Quantitative data will be analyzed with descriptive and analytic statistics. Qualitative data will be analyzed with inductive qualitative analysis.
Conclusions: The project will contribute with further knowledge on the use and value of e-health solutions for families living with MI and add to the body of knowledge related to mindfulness for this specific population.
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