Pilot study of an online brief mindfulness-based intervention to improve the well-being of managers and reduce their stress at work.
Ángela Asensio-Martínez, Lorena Adame, Alejandra Aguilar-Latorre, Benito Millán, Marta Domínguez-garcía, Rosa Magallón-botaya
International journal of occupational safety and ergonomics : JOSE September 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2024.2358676 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Non-randomized controlled trial Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 23 |
| Population | Managers (17 men and six women, average age 50 years) |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based emotional regulation for managers (MBERM) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Emotional regulation Job stress Managers Online intervention |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key findings | The mindfulness-based emotional regulation intervention significantly reduced depression, anxiety, exhaustion, alienation, and stress, and improved psychological flexibility, self-efficacy, and non-reactivity in managers. |
Abstract
Objectives. The COVID-19 pandemic, remote work and new technologies have heightened workplace pressures. Effective response and essential organizational changes require business leaders to be more adaptable, with managers' presence playing a pivotal role in successful implementation. The study assesses a brief mindfulness-based emotional regulation for managers (MBERM) intervention, to reduce workplace stress and enhance managerial well-being. Methods. An 8-week non-randomized controlled trial was conducted with a waiting list control group and an intervention group. Pre-post differences were measured by Student's t test or Wilcoxon test, and effect size calculated using the Hedge's g formula. The sample included 23 managers (17 men and six women) with average age 50 years. The study assessed anxiety and depressive symptoms, psychological flexibility, perceived self-efficacy, general work-related well-being, perceived stress and mindfulness. Results. Statistically significant changes were observed in the intervention group in depression, anxiety, work-related acceptance and action, general self-efficacy, exhaustion, alienation, stress and non-reactivity. The control group showed no statistically significant changes in any of the variables. Conclusion. The MBERM intervention could improve the emotional and work-related well-being of managers and reduce stress levels and burnout. Further study of this intervention is needed to promote adherence and ensure a long-term improvement.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- The Effects of Loving-Kindness Meditation Guided by Short Video Apps on Policemen's Mindfulness, Public Service Motivation, Conflict Resolution Skills, and Communication Skills. Behavioral Sciences July 4, 2025
- The effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction on self-compassion and parent-child relationship quality in health caregivers BMC Psychology November 16, 2025
Cites 14
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation Perspectives on Psychological Science October 10, 2017
- Mindfulness-based interventions: an overall review British Medical Bulletin April 21, 2021
and 9 more in the library