MYPATH: A novel mindfulness and yoga-based peer leader intervention to prevent violence among youth experiencing homelessness.

Young adults experiencing homelessness (YAEH) are at elevated risk for violence victimization and perpetration. However, there are no evidence-based violence prevention interventions for homeless populations. This study is an evaluation of a novel mindfulness-based peer-leader intervention designed to reduce violence and improve mindfulness in YAEH. A social network of YAEH receiving services at a drop-in agency was recruited in Summer 2018 (n = 106) and peer-leaders identified at baseline (n = 12). Peer leaders were trained in mindfulness and yoga skills during a 1-day intensive workshop and seven 1-h weekly follow-up workshops and encouraged to share their knowledge with in-network peers. Postintervention data were collected 2 and 3 months after baseline. Two one-way repeated-measures analyses of variance (ANOVAs) tested differences in means for mindfulness and fighting. ANOVA models showed significant increases in group mean mindfulness F(2, 110) = 3.42, p < 0.05 and significant decreases in group mean violent behavior F(2, 112) = 5.23, p < 0.01 at the network level. Findings indicate a network-based, peer-leader model can be effective for influencing complex, socially conditioned attitudes and behaviors among YAEH. Additional advantages of the peer-leader model include relatively few direct-service person-hours required from providers and convenience to participants able practice skills in their relevant social contexts.

Direct and indirect effects of mindfulness, PTSD, and depression on self-stigma of mental illness in OEF/OIF veterans.

OBJECTIVE: Two of the most common and costly mental health diagnoses among military veterans who served in the post-9/11 conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq are posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, but over half of veterans who screen positive for these problems do not seek treatment. A key barrier is self-stigma of mental illness. Mindfulness has shown promise as an explanatory variable in the context of mental health symptoms and self-stigma, but these associations are underexplored in the veterans' literature. This study examines direct and indirect effects among mindfulness, PTSD and depression, and self-stigma in post-9/11-era military veterans. METHOD: A sample of 577 veterans from 3 large American cities completed surveys capturing mindfulness, symptoms of PTSD and depression, and self-stigma. A structural equation modeling approach was used to examine direct and indirect effects among study variables. RESULTS: Mindfulness was associated with less PTSD and depression and indirectly with less self-stigma through the PTSD pathway. PTSD was associated with more depression and self-stigma, and depression was not significantly associated with self-stigma. CONCLUSION: PTSD is strongly associated with self-stigma in military veterans, many of whom do not seek mental health treatment. Findings show that mindfulness is a promising intervention target for reducing symptoms of PTSD directly and reducing associated self-stigma of mental illness indirectly. Additional investigation of links between mindfulness, PTSD and depressive symptoms, and self-stigma in military veterans is warranted. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Can Mindfulness Help to Predict Veterans' Mental Health Service Utilization?

Post-9/11 era military veterans are at high risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, but less than half of veterans who screen positive for these disorders seek mental health treatment. Self-stigma of mental illness has emerged as a core barrier to mental health service use (MHSU) in this population. Mindfulness is associated with attention control, nonjudgment, and reduced self-stigma in civilians, but associations between PTSD and depression, mindfulness, self-stigma, and MHSU have never been investigated in military veterans. The present study used a logistic regression modeling strategy to investigate main and interaction effects for PTSD, depression, mindfulness, and self-stigma on MHSU. Study findings demonstrated a positive main effect for PTSD and negative main effects for mindfulness and self-stigma on MHSU, and a positive interaction effect for mindfulness and PTSD on MHSU. Findings suggest that more mindful individuals with PTSD symptoms are more likely to seek mental health services, whereas less mindful individuals with PTSD symptoms are less likely to seek treatment. More research into the potential for mindfulness to enhance MHSU outcomes for military veterans appears warranted.

Effect of Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention on Impulsivity Trajectories Among Young Adults in Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment.

OBJECTIVES: Impulsivity has been identified as an important construct in predicting the initiation and maintenance of substance use among at-risk populations. Interventions emphasizing mindfulness strategies appear particularly promising in reducing substance use and marking change in various aspects of impulsivity. METHODS: The current study used a rolling group mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) intervention for young adults in residential substance use disorder treatment. We examined change in impulsivity facets measured by the S-UPPS for youth randomly assigned to MBRP (n = 45) versus those assigned to treatment as usual plus 12 step/self-help (n = 34). We also examined how change in impulsivity mediated changes in substance use post-treatment. RESULTS: In general, results indicated that MBRP is effective at reducing facets of trait impulsivity in treatment-seeking individuals with SUDs. Only positive and negative urgency mediated the relation between treatment assignment and substance use. CONCLUSIONS: MBRP is a viable and useful intervention for young adults in residential treatment for substance use disorders and can aid in marked change in facets of impulsivity. Both positive and negative urgency were significant mechanisms of change in reducing substance use following treatment. Results are discussed focused on the utility of MRBP as a clinical intervention for at-risk, marginalized, and young adults.