Exploring the Role of Mindfulness in the Well-being of Junior Doctors. (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cohen, Matthew; Matthews, Chanais; Bu, Chris; Jones, Marc; Hearn, Jasmine
• Is Part Of: BJPsych open. Volume 8(2022)Supplement 1
• Page Start: S19
• Page End: S19
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental health -- Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2022.116
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2056-4724

Abstract

Abstract : Aims: This study aims to explore the relationship between mental well-being (The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale), stress (Appraisal of Life Events Scale) and mindfulness (5 Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire) by means of a questionnaire. Methods: The questionnaire was part of a mixed-method study looking into Mindfulness Resilience and Effectiveness Training in foundation doctors. In total 144 foundation doctors across the North West of England completed the questionnaire over a period of 5 months. Results: A Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationships between mental well-being, appraisal of stress and mindfulness. Results show that there was a significant, negative, and somewhat weak association between mental well-being and the appraisal of stressful life events (r = (142) –.23, p = .006). A significant, positive, and strong relationship was also found between the two variables mindfulness and mental well-being (r (142) = .60, p < 0.001), in addition to a significant, weak positive relationship between mindfulness and appraisal of stressful life events (r (142) = –.18, p = .033). Conclusion: The results indicate that those with greater mental well-being were better able to tolerate stressful life events and appraise them as a challenge. Likewise, those with greater mindfulness scores showed greater well-being suggesting that improving one may improve the other. This has implications for intervention development (e.g., training in mindfulness) which can help to further improve well-being and appraisal of stressful life events in trainee doctors.