RE: SOCW6060 – Discussion 2 – Response to 2 students (WK10)

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Mindfulness Interventions

Respond to two colleagues:

• Comparing the studies that you and your colleague identified and the experiences you presented from your mindful practice exercise, evaluate one strength and one limitation of using mindfulness interventions for the client (consider how culturally relevant it is, how aligned it is with social work ethics, etc.).

Use peer reviewed reference. Ask question in response to further discussion, and use subheadings)

Response to Kristie

Response to listening to “Body and Sound Meditation” (UCLA Health, n.d.).

What were you thinking while you were listening?

I was thinking I hope this works, because I need some stress relief. My wondering thoughts kept creeping in. Can I do this for five minutes?

In 2 to 3 sentences, describe your experience practicing this technique and how this experience influences your choice on whether to use it with a client during practice.

My experience practicing the technique was mixed in the beginning, open to new opportunity but laborious, as I am too busy. I completed the exercise and discovered I had relaxed. I would use this technique in future practice. I think that it would be a good beginning and ending exercise to ground and relax clients.

Provide the reference for the study you found and be sure to use citations in the body of your post using APA guidelines.

Britton, W. B., Shahar, B., Szepsenwol, O., & Jacobs, W. J. (2012). Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Improves Emotional Reactivity to Social Stress: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial. Behavior Therapy, 45(2), 365-380.

In 1 to 2 sentences, briefly summarize the methodological context (i.e., research method, how data was collected, and the instruments used) of the studies and the findings.

Britton, Shahar, Szepsenwol, & Jacobs (2012), conducted qualitative methodology. Data was collected from volunteers responding to a community advertisement for a meditation-based depression relapse prevention program. Clinical interviews and the use of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression determined eligibility. Pre and post-test self-reported questionnaires were used to collect data. Analysis followed an 8-week mindfulness intervention program.

Evaluate the findings in terms of their validity and applicability for Helen Petrakis.

The research concluded that mindfulness meditation training is associated with decreasing anxiety. Construct validity was high, due to the multi-dimensional research criteria. This training would be useful for Helen P. to help reduce emotional reactivity to the stressors in her life. This type of approach equips her with additional coping skills that would decrease her depressive symptoms. According to Garland, mindfulness practices are applicable with different ages and cultures (2017). This study finds that mindfulness mediation training is beneficial for psychological well-being.

References

Britton, W. B., Shahar, B., Szepsenwol, O., & Jacobs, W. J. (2012). Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Improves Emotional Reactivity to Social Stress: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial. Behavior Therapy, 45(2), 365-380.

Garland, E. L. (2013). Mindfulness research in social work: Conceptual and methodological recommendations. Social Work Research, 37(4), 439–448. https://doi.org/10.1093/swr/svt038

Response to Shannon

My Experience with Mindful Meditation

Upon listening to a guided meditation recording, I found that it was difficult for me to quiet the mind and focus just on my breathing and my body. After a couple of minutes in, I found that I was focused on my breath, but I would occasionally have sporadic thoughts pop into my mind such as what I am eating for dinner, how much homework I have, what time am I going to put the alarm for work etc. I did have a moment of peace and relaxation which was refreshing.

Describe your experience practicing this technique and how this experience influences your choice on whether to use it with a client during practice.

My experience practicing this technique was interesting because I paid attention to how much I think about in a day, it really placed things into perspective because I realized that I do not try to stay present; I am always thinking about my next move. I would like to implement this practice with my clients because it does help the person relax and find peace even if its momentary.

Provide the reference for the study you found and be sure to use citations in the body of your post using APA guidelines.

Oord, S., Bögels, S., & Peijnenburg, D. (2012). The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents. Journal Of Child & Family Studies, 21(1), 139-147. doi:10.1007/s10826-011-9457-0

Briefly summarize the methodological context of the studies and the findings and

evaluate the findings in terms of their validity and applicability for the client

Oord, Bogels, and Peijnenburg (2012) conducted a study on the effectiveness of mindfulness training for children aged 8-12 with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Children with ADHD have problems maintaining attention over prolonged periods of times, and have difficulty holding goals and plans (Oord, Bogels, & Peijnenburg, 2012). The researchers conducted an 8-week mindfulness training with the children followed by an 8-week follow up (Oord, Bogels, & Peijnenburg, 2012). The researchers utilized a quasi-experimental waitlist control; the families who had to wait at least six weeks before the treatment began were given waitlist assessments to control the effects of time (Oord, Bogels, & Peijnenburg, 2012). The researchers used the Disruptive Behavior Disorder Rating Scale (DBDRS), Mindfulness Attention and Awareness Scale (MAAS), and the ADHD Rating Scale (ARS) as a measure for the study (Oord, Bogels, & Peijnenburg, 2012). The researchers found that the parents reported a significant reduction in their child’s ADHD symptoms after receiving mindfulness training.

References

Oord, S., Bögels, S., & Peijnenburg, D. (2012). The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents. Journal Of Child & Family Studies, 21(1), 139-147. doi:10.1007/s10826-011-9457-0