Outcome of a web-based mindfulness intervention for families living with mental illness - A feasibility study.
Study Goal
To develop and assess outcomes of a web-based mindfulness intervention for families living with a person with mental illness.
Results Summary
The study showed significant improvements in mindfulness, perceived stress, caregiver burden, and self-compassion post-intervention and at 3-month follow-up. The intervention was deemed acceptable and feasible with positive, relevant outcomes.
Population
Families living with a person with mental illness.
Effective Dosage
8-week web-based mindfulness intervention (specific dosage not detailed).
Duration
8 weeks with 3-month follow-up.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
web-based mindfulness intervention | increase | levels of mindfulness | families living with a person with mental illness | - | showed significant improvements | #1 |
web-based mindfulness intervention | decrease | levels of perceived stress | families living with a person with mental illness | - | showed significant improvements | #2 |
web-based mindfulness intervention | decrease | levels of caregiver burden | families living with a person with mental illness | - | showed significant improvements | #3 |
web-based mindfulness intervention | increase | levels of self-compassion | families living with a person with mental illness | - | showed significant improvements | #4 |
BACKGROUND: Families living with a person with mental illness can experience distress requiring therapeutic interventions. Web-based mindfulness interventions have shown beneficial health outcomes for both clinical and healthy populations, and may help families cope and overcome barriers that can otherwise hinder a help-seeking process. AIMS: To develop and assess outcomes of a web-based mindfulness intervention for families living with a person with mental illness. METHODS: A pilot study investigating an 8-week web-based mindfulness intervention with a pre-post design and follow-up after 3 months, with mindfulness as the primary outcome and perceived stress, caregiver burden and self-compassion as secondary outcomes. The study included a sample of 97 persons approached by advertisement in newspapers, newsletters, and online. RESULTS: The study showed significant improvements in levels of mindfulness post-intervention and at follow-up as well as significant improvements in levels of perceived stress, caregiver burden, and self-compassion both post-intervention and at follow-up. DISCUSSION: Acceptability and feasibility of the intervention were high, outcomes were relevant, and the intervention showed positive and significant results supporting the hypothesis that the intervention may help families cope with a stressful situation. CONCLUSION: Further randomized controlled studies of the intervention are needed to investigate the intervention's effectiveness, including dose-effect studies.