Considerations for sociocultural adaptations of a mindfulness-based program within a low socioeconomic setting in Cape Town, South Africa

Background: The effectiveness of mindfulness-based programs in cultivating a sense of well-being has been demonstrated in many populations globally. However, mindfulness research is lacking in low socioeconomic contexts. This study explored how a mindfulness-based program may be adapted to be feasible, acceptable, and accessible to participants in a low socioeconomic setting in Cape Town, South Africa.

Methods: Using purposive and snowball sampling and semi-structured interviews, the perspectives of 14 stakeholders in the field of mindfulness were explored. The data were thematically analyzed.

Findings: Stakeholders agreed that MBPs could be adapted to increase acceptability, accessibility, and feasibility for participants. The themes that emerged included strategies to encourage attendance and retention, program structure, program content, trauma sensitivity, the qualities and training of the facilitator, communication strategies, the language used, and the approach to translation.

Conclusion: Stakeholders agreed that adapted mindfulness-based programs may be beneficial to participants in low socioeconomic contexts if appropriately and sensitively adapted to the needs of the population and context. Further research is invited into the nuances of what, where, when, and how mindfulness-based programs are offered in low-resource and especially high-risk trauma environments, such as those in South Africa.