Department of Psychiatry

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Browsing Department of Psychiatry by browse.metadata.advisor "Alexander, Debra Whiting"

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    Feasibility of a mindfulness-based intervention for stress reduction and resilience for medical students at a large teaching hospital and medical campus in the western cape : a randomised controlled, comparative trial with supportive counselling
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-12) Boyd, Nicola Lindy; Alexander, Debra Whiting; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Psychiatry.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY : The high levels of stress experienced by medical students is cause for concern due to the negative academic and emotional consequences both for themselves, as well as their future patients and professional careers. South Africa’s context contributes additional unique stressors for South African medical students. Research is showing that mindfulness-based interventions are effective for the treatment of psychological issues as well as of benefit to healthy individuals. Online delivery of such interventions increase accessibility for time-constrained participants. There is limited information about the potential of online mindfulness-based interventions to increase medical students’ wellbeing, self-compassion and to address perceived stress. This feasibility study aimed to provide information by investigating the effects of a six-week online, teacher-facilitated mindfulness-based intervention for medical students in comparison to supportive counselling. An evaluative, experimental, mixed-methods design included the randomisation of 45 self-selected participants to one of two groups. Quantitative data was collected online at pre-, post- and 8-week follow up. A post-course completed feedback questionnaire, provided qualitative data to provide an understanding of participants’ experience of the programmes. Results indicated significant positive changes in both groups’ wellbeing, decreased perceived stress and self-reported, enhanced stress management. Unexpectedly, a significant change in decreased self-compassion was noted over the time period. Mindfulness reflected as a statistically significant treatment effect in the mindfulness group at post-course analysis. Based on the findings, an introduction of a stress management programme for medical students is recommended – one which includes mindfulness and stress- related psychoeducational components as part of a wider mental health strategy. A main study would contribute further information to this area and whether findings could be widened to benefit tertiary students in South Africa.