Adaptation of a mindfulness-based intervention for trauma-exposed, unhoused women with substance use disorder.
Dana Rose Garfin, Alexandra Amador, Jessica Osorio, Krista Sadiwa Ruivivar, April Torres, Adeline M. Nyamathi
Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice and Policy December 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1037/tra0001486 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Mixed-method, community-engaged study Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 28 |
| Population | Trauma-exposed women experiencing homelessness with symptoms of PTSD and substance use disorder living at a drug treatment site |
| Interventions | meditation body scans class discussion and home practice |
| Topics | Addiction Meditation |
| Citations | 8 |
| Key points | Women experiencing homelessness with trauma exposure, PTSD, and substance use disorder rated MBSR activities as highly acceptable and feasible, with 71% to 89% finding each activity 'a great deal helpful.' |
Abstract
Women experiencing homelessness (WEH) report exceedingly high rates of trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance use disorder (SUD). Mindfulness-based interventions including Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) may help lower traumatic stress-related symptoms and reduce SUD, but have been underexplored in community-based settings serving WEH with symptoms of PTSD and SUD. We used a mixed-method, community-engaged approach that implemented a Community Advisory Board and the ADAPT-ITT (assessment, decision, adaptation, production, topical experts, integration, training, testing) framework, including intervention demonstrations, to adapt and refine MBSR for WEH experiencing symptoms of PTSD/SUD. Trauma-exposed WEH (N = 28) living at a drug treatment site provided perspectives and feedback on an MBSR demonstration via quantitative questionnaires and four focus groups. Quantitative measures indicated high perceived acceptability and feasibility: Nearly all WEH reported MBSR activities (including yoga, meditation, body scans, class discussion, and home practice) would be at least "somewhat helpful"; between 71.43% to 89.29% reported each activity would be "a great deal helpful." Most reported the focus group sessions were useful for providing feedback relevant for improving program design and administration. Qualitative findings revealed four themes aligning with quantitative findings that provided useful suggestions to guide MBSR implementation with trauma-exposed WEH: (a) perception of feasibility and effectiveness of MBSR, (b) strategies for successful recruitment, (c) strategies for successful retention, and (d) characteristics of the MBSR trainer. Focus group recommendations could bolster intervention compliance, engagement, and completion for MBSR and community-based programs for WEH more generally. Results provide suggestions for implementing a trauma-sensitive approach when administering MBSR to trauma-exposed WEH. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychedelic therapy for smoking cessation: Qualitative analysis of participant accounts Participants who completed a psilocybin-facilitated smoking cessation pilot study | 2018 | Qualitative follow-up study using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis | n = 12 |
| Therapeutic Effects of Ritual Ayahuasca Use in the Treatment of Substance Dependence—Qualitative Results Therapists, expert researchers, and individuals who underwent ayahuasca-assisted... | 2014 | Qualitative study | n = 29 |
| Exploring ayahuasca‐assisted therapy for addiction: A qualitative analysis of preliminary findings among an Indigenous community in Canada Indigenous adults in Canada who participated in ayahuasca-assisted ceremonial retreats | 2019 | Qualitative study | n = 11 |
| Self-reported negative outcomes of psilocybin users: A quantitative textual analysis Users who self-reported psilocybin experiences on an online platform | 2020 | Qualitative study | n = 346 |
| Reports of self-compassion and affect regulation in psilocybin-assisted therapy for alcohol use disorder: An interpretive phenomenological analysis. non-Hispanic White cisgender men and women with alcohol use disorder | 2023 | Qualitative study | n = 13 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- The Experience of Women With Breast or Gynecological Cancer After Participation in an Online Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (e-MBCR) Program: Secondary Outcomes Analysis of a Pilot Mixed Methods Randomized Controlled Trial. Psycho-Oncology November 1, 2025
- Mindfulness and self-compassion in trauma-related adjustment among adult women: a three-wave multi-regional study. Frontiers in Psychology May 29, 2026
- Mindfulness-Based Intervention Improves Depression, Anxiety, and Quality of Life in Unstably-Housed Women with PTSD and Substance Use Disorder Mindfulness October 1, 2025