Skip to main content
Top
Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness 8/2022

07-07-2022 | ORIGINAL PAPER

Adolescents’ Experiences of Distress and Well-being During Intensive Mindfulness Practice: A Mixed-Methods Study

Auteurs: Michael J. Tumminia, Shana E. DeVlieger, Sharon Colvin, Thomas Akiva, Brian M. Galla

Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness | Uitgave 8/2022

Log in om toegang te krijgen
share
DELEN

Deel dit onderdeel of sectie (kopieer de link)

  • Optie A:
    Klik op de rechtermuisknop op de link en selecteer de optie “linkadres kopiëren”
  • Optie B:
    Deel de link per e-mail

Abstract

Objectives

In recent years, mindfulness has gone mainstream, reaching many adolescents through school programs and smartphone applications. Yet there is little empirical understanding of what mindfulness practice is like for adolescents. This mixed-methods study sought to capture adolescents’ lived experiences as they embarked on a period of intensive mindfulness practice.

Methods

Twenty-three self-selected youth (Mage = 16.68 years, SD = 1.55; 57% girls, 43% boys; 52% White, 13% African American, 4% Latino, 4% East Asian, and 26% Multiracial) participated in a 6-day residential mindfulness retreat. Participants completed self-report surveys, open-ended daily diaries, and discussed their experiences in focus groups. Qualitative data were analyzed using a two-cycle coding process to categorize common patterns of adolescents’ experiences during mindfulness practice and quantitative data were examined for demographic subgroup differences.

Results

Adolescents reported an array of experiences of distress from cognitive (83% of adolescents; e.g., self-loathing and rumination), to emotional (87% of adolescents; e.g., sadness), and to physical distress (44% of adolescents; e.g., physical pain) during mindfulness practice. They also described a range of well-being experiences from cognitive (87% of adolescents; e.g., self-inquiry and discovery), to emotional (65% of adolescents; e.g., acceptance), and to social well-being (39% of adolescents; e.g., loving-kindness and connection). The frequency of experiences of distress and well-being reported were relatively balanced overall, yet girls and experienced meditators reported greater distress.

Conclusions

This study paints a descriptive picture of adolescents’ experiences during mindfulness practice and suggested that their experiences might reflect core developmental concerns. Implications for adolescent development and contemplative science are discussed.
Bijlagen
Alleen toegankelijk voor geautoriseerde gebruikers
Literatuur
go back to reference Abujaradeh, H., Colaianne, B. A., Roeser, R. W., Tsukayama, E., & Galla, B. M. (2020). Evaluating a short-form Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in adolescents: Evidence for a four-factor structure and invariance by time, age, and gender. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 44(1), 20–30.CrossRef Abujaradeh, H., Colaianne, B. A., Roeser, R. W., Tsukayama, E., & Galla, B. M. (2020). Evaluating a short-form Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in adolescents: Evidence for a four-factor structure and invariance by time, age, and gender. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 44(1), 20–30.CrossRef
go back to reference Black, D. S. (2015). Mindfulness training for children and adolescents: A state-of-the-science review. In K. W. Brown, R. M. Ryan, & J. D. Creswell (Eds.), Handbook of mindfulness: Theory, research, and practice (pp. 283–310). Guilford Press. Black, D. S. (2015). Mindfulness training for children and adolescents: A state-of-the-science review. In K. W. Brown, R. M. Ryan, & J. D. Creswell (Eds.), Handbook of mindfulness: Theory, research, and practice (pp. 283–310). Guilford Press.
go back to reference Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). Erlbaum. Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). Erlbaum.
go back to reference Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2017). Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage. Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2017). Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage.
go back to reference Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2016). Qualitative inquiry and research design: choosing among five approaches. Sage. Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2016). Qualitative inquiry and research design: choosing among five approaches. Sage.
go back to reference Dunning, D. L., Griffiths, K., Kuyken, W., Crane, C., Foulkes, L., Parker, J., & Dalgleish, T. (2019). Research review: The effects of mindfulness-based interventions on cognition and mental health in children and adolescents – a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 60(3), 244–258. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.12980CrossRefPubMed Dunning, D. L., Griffiths, K., Kuyken, W., Crane, C., Foulkes, L., Parker, J., & Dalgleish, T. (2019). Research review: The effects of mindfulness-based interventions on cognition and mental health in children and adolescents – a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 60(3), 244–258. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1111/​jcpp.​12980CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Erikson, E. H. (1968). Identity, youth and crisis. Norton Inc. Erikson, E. H. (1968). Identity, youth and crisis. Norton Inc.
go back to reference Glaser, B. G. (1978). Theoretical sensitivity. Sociology Press. Glaser, B. G. (1978). Theoretical sensitivity. Sociology Press.
go back to reference Kornfield, J. (1979). Intensive insight meditation: A phenomenological study. The Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 11(1), 41. Kornfield, J. (1979). Intensive insight meditation: A phenomenological study. The Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 11(1), 41.
go back to reference Lerner, R. M., & Steinberg, L.(2009). Handbook of adolescent psychology (Vol. 1). John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Lerner, R. M., & Steinberg, L.(2009). Handbook of adolescent psychology (Vol. 1). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
go back to reference Matheny, K. B., Ashby, J. S., & Cupp, P. (2005). Gender differences in stress, coping, and illness among college students. Journal of Individual Psychology, 61, 4. Matheny, K. B., Ashby, J. S., & Cupp, P. (2005). Gender differences in stress, coping, and illness among college students. Journal of Individual Psychology, 61, 4.
go back to reference Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook. Sage. Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook. Sage.
go back to reference Roeser, R. W., Eccles, J. S., & Sameroff, A. J. (2000). School as a context of early adolescents' academic and social-emotional development: a summary of research findings. The Elementary School Journal, 443-471.https://doi.org/10.1086/499650 Roeser, R. W., Eccles, J. S., & Sameroff, A. J. (2000). School as a context of early adolescents' academic and social-emotional development: a summary of research findings. The Elementary School Journal, 443-471.https://​doi.​org/​10.​1086/​499650
go back to reference Ryan, T. (2012). A mindful nation: how a simple practice can help us reduce stress, improve performance, and recapture the American spirit. Hay House. Ryan, T. (2012). A mindful nation: how a simple practice can help us reduce stress, improve performance, and recapture the American spirit. Hay House.
go back to reference Saldaña, J. (2015). The coding manual for qualitative researchers. Sage. Saldaña, J. (2015). The coding manual for qualitative researchers. Sage.
go back to reference Schussler, D. L., Oh, Y., Mahfouz, J., Levitan, J., Frank, J. L., Broderick, P. C., Mitra, J. L., Berrena, E., Kohler, K., & Greenberg, M. T. (2021). Stress and well-Being: A systematic case study of adolescents’ experiences in a mindfulness-based program. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 30(2), 431–446. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-020-01864-5CrossRef Schussler, D. L., Oh, Y., Mahfouz, J., Levitan, J., Frank, J. L., Broderick, P. C., Mitra, J. L., Berrena, E., Kohler, K., & Greenberg, M. T. (2021). Stress and well-Being: A systematic case study of adolescents’ experiences in a mindfulness-based program. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 30(2), 431–446. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1007/​s10826-020-01864-5CrossRef
Metagegevens
Titel
Adolescents’ Experiences of Distress and Well-being During Intensive Mindfulness Practice: A Mixed-Methods Study
Auteurs
Michael J. Tumminia
Shana E. DeVlieger
Sharon Colvin
Thomas Akiva
Brian M. Galla
Publicatiedatum
07-07-2022
Uitgeverij
Springer US
Gepubliceerd in
Mindfulness / Uitgave 8/2022
Print ISSN: 1868-8527
Elektronisch ISSN: 1868-8535
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-022-01932-5

Andere artikelen Uitgave 8/2022

Mindfulness 8/2022 Naar de uitgave