Mindfulness based stress reduction adapted for depressed disadvantaged women in an urban Federally Qualified Health Center

Abstract

Background: In this study we examine the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of mindfulness based stress reduction adapted for delivery in an urban Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).

Methods: Thirty-one African- American adult women ages 18-65 with depressive symptoms enrolled to participate in an 8-week mindfulness group intervention. The primary outcome (depression) and secondary outcomes (stress, mindfulness, functioning, well-being, and depression stigma) were assessed at baseline, 8 and 16-weeks.

Results: Depressive symptoms significantly decreased from baseline to 16 weeks. A significant decrease in stress and significant increase in mindfulness was found from baseline to 8 weeks and baseline to 16 weeks. Additionally, aspects of well-being-self-acceptance and growth-significantly increased from baseline to 8-weeks. Stigma significantly increased from baseline to 8 weeks and significantly decreased from 8 to 16 weeks (all p's < 0.05).

Conclusions: Mindfulness-based interventions implemented in FQHCs may increase access to effective treatments for mental health symptoms.

Keywords: Depression; Disadvantaged; Mental health; Mindfulness; Race/ethnicity; Women.