Mindfulness predicts less depression, anxiety, and social impairment in emergency care personnel: A longitudinal study
Maren Westphal, Melanie M. Wall, Thomas Corbeil, Dagmar Iris Keller, Monika Brodmann Maeder, Ulrike Ehlert, Aristomenis Konstantinos Exadaktylos, Roland M Bingisser, Birgit Kleim
PLoS One December 15, 2021 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260208 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Longitudinal prospective cohort study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 190 |
| Population | Emergency room personnel (73% residents, 16% medical students, 11% nurses) |
| Duration | 6-month follow-up (assessments at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months) |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Citations | 21 |
| Key findings | Baseline dispositional mindfulness predicted less depression, anxiety, and social impairment 6 months later, remaining a strong predictor after controlling for time-varying work stressors, negative life events, and social support at work. Mindfulness also moderated the adverse impact of poor social support at work on depression. The authors state this is the first longitudinal study to show mindfulness prospectively predicts these outcomes and propose mindfulness as a potential resilience factor. |
Abstract
Medical personnel working in emergency rooms (ER) are at increased risk of mental health problems and suicidality. There is increasing evidence that mindfulness-based interventions can improve burnout and other mental health outcomes in health care providers. In contrast, few longitudinal prospective studies have examined protective functions of dispositional mindfulness in this population. The objective of this study was to examine whether mindfulness prospectively predicts anxiety, depression, and social impairment in a sample of emergency care professionals. The authors administered online surveys to ER personnel prior to work in ER, and at 3 and 6 months follow up. Participants were 190 ER personnel (73% residents, 16% medical students, 11% nurses). Linear mixed effects regression was used to model longitudinal 3-month and 6-month follow up of depression, anxiety, and social impairment. Predictors included time-varying contemporaneous work stressors, perceived social support at work and life events, and baseline dispositional mindfulness, demographics, and workplace characteristics. Mindfulness indexed when starting ER work predicted less depression, anxiety, and social impairment 6 months later. Mindfulness remained a strong predictor of mental health outcomes after controlling for time-varying stressful events in emergency care, negative life events, and social support at work. Mindfulness moderated the adverse impact of poor social support at work on depression. To our knowledge, this is the first longitudinal study to show that mindfulness prospectively and robustly predicts anxiety, depression, and social impairment. Results support the role of mindfulness as a potential resilience factor in at-risk health care providers.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Antidepressant effects of a single dose of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a preliminary report Patients with a depressive disorder | 2015 | Observational study | |
| Patterning of Cognitive and Somatic Processes in the Self-Regulation of Anxiety: Effects of Meditation versus Exercise Regular practitioners of physical exercise or meditation | 1978 | Retrospective study | n = 77 |
| Dynamic coupling of whole-brain neuronal and neurotransmitter systems Healthy humans | 2020 | Observational study | |
| Psychedelics not linked to mental health problems or suicidal behavior: A population study Randomly selected United States adults | 2015 | Observational cohort | n = 135,095 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Effect of a mindfulness program on stress, anxiety, depression, sleep quality, social support, and life satisfaction: a quasi-experimental study in college students. Frontiers in Psychology 2025
- The Impact of Mindfulness on Stress and Resilience During Military Medical Field Exercises. Military Medicine July 1, 2026
- Unpacking the role of psychopathology in the state-to-trait mindfulness transition: A longitudinal structural equation modeling study. Journal of Affective Disorders June 2, 2026
- Mindfulness mediates the relationship between positive parenting and aggression, depression, and suicidal ideation: A longitudinal study in middle school students. Frontiers in Psychology November 3, 2022
Cites 19
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects Psychological Inquiry October 19, 2007
- Association of an Educational Program in Mindful Communication With Burnout, Empathy, and Attitudes Among Primary Care Physicians JAMA September 22, 2009
- The toronto mindfulness scale: Development and validation Journal of Clinical Psychology 2006
and 14 more in the library