Relative Impact of Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Psychological Flexibility on Alcohol Use and Burnout Among Law Enforcement Officers.

Objectives: In the present study, we investigated the relative impact of improvements in mindfulness, self-compassion, and psychological flexibility in predicting decreased burnout and alcohol use in a sample of law enforcement officers (LEOs) participating in a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI). Design: This study is a secondary analysis of pre/post data collected as part of a larger randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based resilience training (MBRT). Subjects: This secondary analysis comprises pre/post data from 28 LEOs recruited from a metropolitan area and its outlying regions in the Pacific Northwest. Intervention: MBRT is a MBI tailored specifically to the culture and needs of LEOs and other first responders. Outcome measures: All included data were obtained through self-report measures. Mindfulness was assessed by the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-Short Form, self-compassion was assessed by the Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form, psychological flexibility was assessed by the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, alcohol use was measured by the PROMIS® (v1.0) Alcohol Use-Short Form, and burnout was assessed by the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory. Results: In the first regression, only increases in mindfulness significantly predicted decreased postintervention problematic alcohol use. In the second regression, only increases in self-compassion significantly predicted decreased postintervention burnout. Conclusions: This study builds upon a growing body of literature on the relative impact of mindfulness, self-compassion, and psychological flexibility in predicting outcomes among high-stress cohorts. Results suggest that different components of MBIs may be emphasized to achieve unique benefits. The Clinical Trial Registration number for the parent study is NCT02521454.

Mindfulness-based Wellness and Resilience intervention among interdisciplinary primary care teams: a mixed-methods feasibility and acceptability trial.

AIMS: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate feasibility and acceptability of Mindfulness-based Wellness and Resilience (MBWR): a brief mindfulness-based intervention designed to enhance resilience and is delivered to interdisciplinary primary care teams. BACKGROUND: Burnout is a pervasive, international problem affecting the healthcare workforce, characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and decreased professional effectiveness. Delivery models of mindfulness-based resilience interventions that enhance feasibility for onsite delivery, consider cultural considerations specific to primary care, and utilize team processes that are integral to primary care are now needed. METHODS: We conducted a mixed-methods feasibility and acceptability trial of MBWR. Primary feasibility and acceptability outcomes were assessed by number of participants recruited, percent of MBWR treatment completer, and attrition rate during the 8-week intervention, and four items on a Likert-type scale. Secondary outcomes of perceived effects were measured by focus groups, an online survey, and self-reported questionnaires, including the Brief Resilience Scale, the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-Short Form, and the Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form. Participants included 31 healthcare providers on interdisciplinary primary care teams employed a safety-net medical center. In the MBWR group, 68% identified as Latinx, compared to 64% in the control group. FINDINGS: All criteria for feasibility were met and participants endorsed high levels of satisfaction and acceptability. The results of this study suggest that MBWR provides multiple perceived benefits to the individual healthcare provider, cohesion of the healthcare team, and enhanced patient care. MBWR may be a feasible and acceptable method to integrate mindfulness, resilience, and teamwork training into the primary care setting.

Mindfulness-based resilience training to reduce health risk, stress reactivity, and aggression among law enforcement officers: A feasibility and preliminary efficacy trial.

The primary objective of this study was to assess feasibility and gather preliminary outcome data on Mindfulness-Based Resilience Training (MBRT) for law enforcement officers. Participants (n = 61) were randomized to either an 8-week MBRT course or a no intervention control group. Self-report and physiological data were collected at baseline, post-training, and three months following intervention completion. Attendance, adherence, post-training participant feedback, and interventionist fidelity to protocol all demonstrated feasibility of MBRT for law enforcement officers. Compared to no intervention controls, MBRT participants experienced greater reductions in salivary cortisol, self-reported aggression, organizational stress, burnout, sleep disturbance, and reported increases in psychological flexibility and non-reactivity at post-training; however, group differences were not maintained at three-month follow-up. This initial randomized trial suggests MBRT is a feasible intervention. Outcome data suggest MBRT targets key physiological, psychological, and health risk factors in law enforcement officers, consistent with the potential to improve officer health and public safety. However, follow-up training or "booster" sessions may be needed to maintain training gains. A fully powered longitudinal randomized trial is warranted.