Mindfulness has attracted increased interest in the field of health professionals’ education due ... more Mindfulness has attracted increased interest in the field of health professionals’ education due to its proposed double benefit of providing self-help strategies to counter stress and burnout symptoms and cultivating attitudes central to the role of professional helpers. The current study explored the experiential aspects of learning mindfulness. Specifically, we explored how first-year medical and psychology students experienced and conceptualized mindfulness upon completion of a 7-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program. Twenty-two students participated in either two focus group interviews or 10 in-depth interviews, and we performed an interpretive phenomenological analysis of the interview transcripts. All students reported increased attention and awareness of psychological and bodily phenomena. The majority also reported a shift in their attitudes towards their experiences in terms of decreased reactivity, increased curiosity, affect tolerance, patience and self-acceptance, and improved relational qualities. The experience of mindfulness was mediated by subjective intention and the interpretation of mindfulness training. The attentional elements of mindfulness were easier to grasp than the attitudinal ones, in particular with respect to the complex and inherently paradoxical elements of non-striving and radical acceptance. Some participants considered mindfulness as a means to more efficient instrumental task-oriented coping, whilst others reported increased sensitivity and tolerance towards their own state of mind. A broader range of program benefits appeared dependent upon embracing the paradoxes and integrating attitudinal elements in practising mindfulness. Ways in which culture and context may influence the experiences in learning mindfulness are discussed along with practical, conceptual and research implications. Keywords: mindfulness, stress reduction, interpretative phenomenological analysis, health care education, burnout prevention
Background: Distress and burnout among medical and psychology professionals are commonly reported... more Background: Distress and burnout among medical and psychology professionals are commonly reported and have implications for the quality of patient care delivered. Already in the course of university studies, medicine and psychology students report mental distress and low life satisfaction. There is a need for interventions that promote better coping skills in students in order to prevent distress and future burnout. This study examines the effect of a seven-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme on mental distress, study stress, burnout, subjective well-being, and mindfulness of medical and psychology students. Methods: A total of 288 students (mean age = 23 years, 76% female) from the University of Oslo and the University of Tromsø were randomly allocated to an intervention or control group. The control group continued with their standard university courses and received no intervention. Participants were evaluated using self-reported measures both before and after the intervention. These were: the ‘General Health Questionnaire, Maslach Burnout Inventory Student version, Perceived Medical School Stress, Subjective Well-being, and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire’ and additional indices of compliance. Results: Following the intervention, a moderate effect on mental distress (Hedges’g 0.65, CI = .41, .88), and a small effect on both subjective well-being (Hedges’g 0.40, CI = .27, .63) and the mindfulness facet ‘non-reacting’ (Hedges’g 0.33, CI = .10, .56) were found in the intervention group compared with the control group. A higher level of programme attendance and reported mindfulness exercises predicted these changes. Significant effects were only found for female students who additionally reported reduced study stress and an increase in the mindfulness facet ‘non-judging’. Gender specific effects of participation in the MBSR programme have not previously been reported, and gender differences in the present study are discussed. Conclusion: Female medical and psychology students experienced significant positive improvements in mental distress, study stress, subjective well-being and mindfulness after participating in the MBSR programme.
Training in mindfulness for patients with stress and chronic illness.
Background. Training based... more Training in mindfulness for patients with stress and chronic illness.
Background. Training based on mindfulness has developed into a method for managing stress and health problems over the last 25 years.
Material and methods. 144 patients (88 % women), troubled by stress and chronic illness, used the method (8-week course) in a randomised controlled study in general practice. Effects on quality of life (QoL) were measured using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire (WHO). Subjective health was measured using the Subjective Health Complaint (SHC) inventory and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL-5).
Results. 92 % of the patients completed all 8 weeks of the course. The participants rated its importance to 8.5 on a scale from 1 to 10. An increase in QoL and subjective health from start to finish of the course (p < 0.001) was observed, while the control group remained unchanged. The changes in QoL were maintained at 3 and 6 months follow-up, while subjective health continued to improve during that period. Changes were independent of age, sex, education and marital-, work- and health insurance status. Improvements were positively correlated with the self-reported amount of mindfulness training. Effect sizes (Cohen’s d) were in the range of 0.5 – 0.6 and were highest for mental symptoms and mental function.
Interpretation. The method gives the patients a tool they can use to improve their health and QoL. By increased understanding and ability to deal with ones own health the patients seem to see themselves and their lives in a new way. The method may be suitable for schools and universities in addition to patient education centres. ARticle in Norwegian
Tidsskrift for den Norske lægeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny række, Jan 6, 2003
1. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2003 Nov 6;123(21):3062-3. [Mindfullness training--a method for self-r... more 1. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2003 Nov 6;123(21):3062-3. [Mindfullness training--a method for self-regulation of health]. [Article in Norwegian]. de Vibe M. Lierskogen legekontor, 3422 Lierskogen. mdevibe@frisurf.no. PMID: 14618178 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]. ...
Tidsskrift for den Norske lægeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny række, Jan 10, 2006
Training based on mindfulness has developed into a method for managing stress and health problems... more Training based on mindfulness has developed into a method for managing stress and health problems over the last 25 years. 144 patients (88% women), troubled by stress and chronic illness, used the method (8-week course) in a randomised controlled study in general practice. Effects on quality of life (QoL) were measured using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire (WHO). Subjective health was measured using the Subjective Health Complaint (SHC) inventory and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL-5). 92% of the patients completed all 8 weeks of the course. The participants rated its importance to 8.5 on a scale from 1 to 10. An increase in QoL and subjective health from start to finish of the course (p < 0.001) was observed, while the control group remained unchanged. The changes in QoL were maintained at 3 and 6 months follow-up, while subjective health continued to improve during that period. Changes were independent of age, sex, education and marital-, work- and health insurance status. Imp...
Mindfulness has attracted increased interest in the field of health professionals’ education due ... more Mindfulness has attracted increased interest in the field of health professionals’ education due to its proposed double benefit of providing self-help strategies to counter stress and burnout symptoms and cultivating attitudes central to the role of professional helpers. The current study explored the experiential aspects of learning mindfulness. Specifically, we explored how first-year medical and psychology students experienced and conceptualized mindfulness upon completion of a 7-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program. Twenty-two students participated in either two focus group interviews or 10 in-depth interviews, and we performed an interpretive phenomenological analysis of the interview transcripts. All students reported increased attention and awareness of psychological and bodily phenomena. The majority also reported a shift in their attitudes towards their experiences in terms of decreased reactivity, increased curiosity, affect tolerance, patience and self-acceptance, and improved relational qualities. The experience of mindfulness was mediated by subjective intention and the interpretation of mindfulness training. The attentional elements of mindfulness were easier to grasp than the attitudinal ones, in particular with respect to the complex and inherently paradoxical elements of non-striving and radical acceptance. Some participants considered mindfulness as a means to more efficient instrumental task-oriented coping, whilst others reported increased sensitivity and tolerance towards their own state of mind. A broader range of program benefits appeared dependent upon embracing the paradoxes and integrating attitudinal elements in practising mindfulness. Ways in which culture and context may influence the experiences in learning mindfulness are discussed along with practical, conceptual and research implications. Keywords: mindfulness, stress reduction, interpretative phenomenological analysis, health care education, burnout prevention
Background: Distress and burnout among medical and psychology professionals are commonly reported... more Background: Distress and burnout among medical and psychology professionals are commonly reported and have implications for the quality of patient care delivered. Already in the course of university studies, medicine and psychology students report mental distress and low life satisfaction. There is a need for interventions that promote better coping skills in students in order to prevent distress and future burnout. This study examines the effect of a seven-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme on mental distress, study stress, burnout, subjective well-being, and mindfulness of medical and psychology students. Methods: A total of 288 students (mean age = 23 years, 76% female) from the University of Oslo and the University of Tromsø were randomly allocated to an intervention or control group. The control group continued with their standard university courses and received no intervention. Participants were evaluated using self-reported measures both before and after the intervention. These were: the ‘General Health Questionnaire, Maslach Burnout Inventory Student version, Perceived Medical School Stress, Subjective Well-being, and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire’ and additional indices of compliance. Results: Following the intervention, a moderate effect on mental distress (Hedges’g 0.65, CI = .41, .88), and a small effect on both subjective well-being (Hedges’g 0.40, CI = .27, .63) and the mindfulness facet ‘non-reacting’ (Hedges’g 0.33, CI = .10, .56) were found in the intervention group compared with the control group. A higher level of programme attendance and reported mindfulness exercises predicted these changes. Significant effects were only found for female students who additionally reported reduced study stress and an increase in the mindfulness facet ‘non-judging’. Gender specific effects of participation in the MBSR programme have not previously been reported, and gender differences in the present study are discussed. Conclusion: Female medical and psychology students experienced significant positive improvements in mental distress, study stress, subjective well-being and mindfulness after participating in the MBSR programme.
Training in mindfulness for patients with stress and chronic illness.
Background. Training based... more Training in mindfulness for patients with stress and chronic illness.
Background. Training based on mindfulness has developed into a method for managing stress and health problems over the last 25 years.
Material and methods. 144 patients (88 % women), troubled by stress and chronic illness, used the method (8-week course) in a randomised controlled study in general practice. Effects on quality of life (QoL) were measured using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire (WHO). Subjective health was measured using the Subjective Health Complaint (SHC) inventory and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL-5).
Results. 92 % of the patients completed all 8 weeks of the course. The participants rated its importance to 8.5 on a scale from 1 to 10. An increase in QoL and subjective health from start to finish of the course (p < 0.001) was observed, while the control group remained unchanged. The changes in QoL were maintained at 3 and 6 months follow-up, while subjective health continued to improve during that period. Changes were independent of age, sex, education and marital-, work- and health insurance status. Improvements were positively correlated with the self-reported amount of mindfulness training. Effect sizes (Cohen’s d) were in the range of 0.5 – 0.6 and were highest for mental symptoms and mental function.
Interpretation. The method gives the patients a tool they can use to improve their health and QoL. By increased understanding and ability to deal with ones own health the patients seem to see themselves and their lives in a new way. The method may be suitable for schools and universities in addition to patient education centres. ARticle in Norwegian
Tidsskrift for den Norske lægeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny række, Jan 6, 2003
1. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2003 Nov 6;123(21):3062-3. [Mindfullness training--a method for self-r... more 1. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2003 Nov 6;123(21):3062-3. [Mindfullness training--a method for self-regulation of health]. [Article in Norwegian]. de Vibe M. Lierskogen legekontor, 3422 Lierskogen. mdevibe@frisurf.no. PMID: 14618178 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]. ...
Tidsskrift for den Norske lægeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny række, Jan 10, 2006
Training based on mindfulness has developed into a method for managing stress and health problems... more Training based on mindfulness has developed into a method for managing stress and health problems over the last 25 years. 144 patients (88% women), troubled by stress and chronic illness, used the method (8-week course) in a randomised controlled study in general practice. Effects on quality of life (QoL) were measured using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire (WHO). Subjective health was measured using the Subjective Health Complaint (SHC) inventory and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL-5). 92% of the patients completed all 8 weeks of the course. The participants rated its importance to 8.5 on a scale from 1 to 10. An increase in QoL and subjective health from start to finish of the course (p < 0.001) was observed, while the control group remained unchanged. The changes in QoL were maintained at 3 and 6 months follow-up, while subjective health continued to improve during that period. Changes were independent of age, sex, education and marital-, work- and health insurance status. Imp...
Uploads
Papers by Michael de Vibe
Keywords: mindfulness, stress reduction, interpretative phenomenological analysis, health care education, burnout prevention
implications for the quality of patient care delivered. Already in the course of university studies, medicine and
psychology students report mental distress and low life satisfaction. There is a need for interventions that promote
better coping skills in students in order to prevent distress and future burnout. This study examines the effect of a
seven-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme on mental distress, study stress, burnout,
subjective well-being, and mindfulness of medical and psychology students.
Methods: A total of 288 students (mean age = 23 years, 76% female) from the University of Oslo and the University
of Tromsø were randomly allocated to an intervention or control group. The control group continued with their
standard university courses and received no intervention. Participants were evaluated using self-reported measures
both before and after the intervention. These were: the ‘General Health Questionnaire, Maslach Burnout Inventory
Student version, Perceived Medical School Stress, Subjective Well-being, and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire’
and additional indices of compliance.
Results: Following the intervention, a moderate effect on mental distress (Hedges’g 0.65, CI = .41, .88), and a small
effect on both subjective well-being (Hedges’g 0.40, CI = .27, .63) and the mindfulness facet ‘non-reacting’
(Hedges’g 0.33, CI = .10, .56) were found in the intervention group compared with the control group. A higher level
of programme attendance and reported mindfulness exercises predicted these changes. Significant effects were
only found for female students who additionally reported reduced study stress and an increase in the mindfulness
facet ‘non-judging’. Gender specific effects of participation in the MBSR programme have not previously been
reported, and gender differences in the present study are discussed.
Conclusion: Female medical and psychology students experienced significant positive improvements in mental
distress, study stress, subjective well-being and mindfulness after participating in the MBSR programme.
Background. Training based on mindfulness has developed into a method for managing stress and health problems over the last 25 years.
Material and methods. 144 patients (88 % women), troubled by stress and chronic illness, used the method (8-week course) in a randomised controlled study in general practice. Effects on quality of life (QoL) were measured using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire (WHO). Subjective health was measured using the Subjective Health Complaint (SHC) inventory and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL-5).
Results. 92 % of the patients completed all 8 weeks of the course. The participants rated its importance to 8.5 on a scale from 1 to 10. An increase in QoL and subjective health from start to finish of the course (p < 0.001) was observed, while the control group remained unchanged. The changes in QoL were maintained at 3 and 6 months follow-up, while subjective health continued to improve during that period. Changes were independent of age, sex, education and marital-, work- and health insurance status. Improvements were positively correlated with the self-reported amount of mindfulness training. Effect sizes (Cohen’s d) were in the range of 0.5 – 0.6 and were highest for mental symptoms and mental function.
Interpretation. The method gives the patients a tool they can use to improve their health and QoL. By increased understanding and ability to deal with ones own health the patients seem to see themselves and their lives in a new way. The method may be suitable for schools and universities in addition to patient education centres.
ARticle in Norwegian
Keywords: mindfulness, stress reduction, interpretative phenomenological analysis, health care education, burnout prevention
implications for the quality of patient care delivered. Already in the course of university studies, medicine and
psychology students report mental distress and low life satisfaction. There is a need for interventions that promote
better coping skills in students in order to prevent distress and future burnout. This study examines the effect of a
seven-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme on mental distress, study stress, burnout,
subjective well-being, and mindfulness of medical and psychology students.
Methods: A total of 288 students (mean age = 23 years, 76% female) from the University of Oslo and the University
of Tromsø were randomly allocated to an intervention or control group. The control group continued with their
standard university courses and received no intervention. Participants were evaluated using self-reported measures
both before and after the intervention. These were: the ‘General Health Questionnaire, Maslach Burnout Inventory
Student version, Perceived Medical School Stress, Subjective Well-being, and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire’
and additional indices of compliance.
Results: Following the intervention, a moderate effect on mental distress (Hedges’g 0.65, CI = .41, .88), and a small
effect on both subjective well-being (Hedges’g 0.40, CI = .27, .63) and the mindfulness facet ‘non-reacting’
(Hedges’g 0.33, CI = .10, .56) were found in the intervention group compared with the control group. A higher level
of programme attendance and reported mindfulness exercises predicted these changes. Significant effects were
only found for female students who additionally reported reduced study stress and an increase in the mindfulness
facet ‘non-judging’. Gender specific effects of participation in the MBSR programme have not previously been
reported, and gender differences in the present study are discussed.
Conclusion: Female medical and psychology students experienced significant positive improvements in mental
distress, study stress, subjective well-being and mindfulness after participating in the MBSR programme.
Background. Training based on mindfulness has developed into a method for managing stress and health problems over the last 25 years.
Material and methods. 144 patients (88 % women), troubled by stress and chronic illness, used the method (8-week course) in a randomised controlled study in general practice. Effects on quality of life (QoL) were measured using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire (WHO). Subjective health was measured using the Subjective Health Complaint (SHC) inventory and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL-5).
Results. 92 % of the patients completed all 8 weeks of the course. The participants rated its importance to 8.5 on a scale from 1 to 10. An increase in QoL and subjective health from start to finish of the course (p < 0.001) was observed, while the control group remained unchanged. The changes in QoL were maintained at 3 and 6 months follow-up, while subjective health continued to improve during that period. Changes were independent of age, sex, education and marital-, work- and health insurance status. Improvements were positively correlated with the self-reported amount of mindfulness training. Effect sizes (Cohen’s d) were in the range of 0.5 – 0.6 and were highest for mental symptoms and mental function.
Interpretation. The method gives the patients a tool they can use to improve their health and QoL. By increased understanding and ability to deal with ones own health the patients seem to see themselves and their lives in a new way. The method may be suitable for schools and universities in addition to patient education centres.
ARticle in Norwegian