Effects of mindfulness meditation training offered in-person and via a virtual world on self-compassion: A study with U.S. military active duty and veterans
Issue title: Special Section: Complimentary Medicine for Work, Function and Health
Affiliations: [a] US Army Research Laboratory (Emeritus), Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, USA
| [b] Applied Research Associates (ARA), San Antonio, TX, USA
| [c] DCS Corp., Alexandria, VA, USA
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Valerie J. Berg Rice, US Army Research Laboratory (Emeritus), Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, USA. E-mail: [email protected] and E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Mindfulness-based, in-person programs are effective at reducing stress and enhancing resilience in military and civilian samples, yet few studies have examined or compared training offered via real-time, interactive social media. Such a program would have a wider-reach and could include those unable to attend in-person. There is also interest in resolving ambiguity about the effects of mindfulness training on individual difference variables, such as self-compassion. OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this research was to compare pre/post self-compassion for three interventions; Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction delivered in-person (IP), mindfulness meditation training delivered via a Virtual World (VW), and a wait-list Control Group (CG) among active duty and veteran U.S. military. METHODS:A 2 (pre/post)×3 (group) factorial design was conducted with 250 active duty and veteran U.S. Military service members, with self-compassion measures as dependent variables. RESULTS:Self Compassion improved 10% for the IP group and 14% for the VW group, while the CG group did not improve. Combined treatment groups yielded a 10.3% improvement in self-compassion compared with no change in the CG and with a group×time interaction effect (p < 0.01). Participants with lower initial self-compassion experienced greater benefits than those with higher baseline self-compassion (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION:IP and VW Mindfulness Meditation training were equally effective in increasing self-compassion. Adding effective on-line mindfulness delivery will promote self-compassion among a more extensive audience, likely yielding improved coping, confidence, connectedness, cheerfulness, steadiness, and self-satisfaction, while lessening anxiety, fear-of-failure, and stress among participants.
