Using Mindfulness to Improve Mental Health Outcomes of Immigrant Women with Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence.
Ashley Vroegindewey, Bushra Sabri
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health October 5, 2022 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912714 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 18 |
| Population | Black immigrant women with recent intimate partner violence exposure and co-occurring mental health symptoms |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) practices |
| Topics | Meditation PTSD |
| Keywords | Coping Immigrant women Intimate partner violence Mental health Mindfulness-based stress reduction |
| Key findings | Women reported that mindfulness elements of the BSHAPE intervention supported healing and empowerment through positive appraisals and coping strategies. Beneficial elements included self-compassion, self-actualization, intentionality of moving forward, optimism, relaxation, self-care, reflection, self-awareness, self-control, and focused thinking. The authors conclude that incorporating mindfulness practices can benefit immigrant women in abusive relationships. |
Abstract
Immigrant women are disproportionately affected by intimate partner violence (IPV), which poses risk for mental health problems, such as PTSD and depression. Post-migration barriers limit immigrant women's access to supportive services, which can further debilitate their mental health symptoms and their safety. The Being safe, Healthy, and Positively Empowered (BSHAPE) digital intervention was designed to address physical safety and healthcare needs of immigrant women through a multi-component approach that integrated mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) practices. This paper reports qualitative feedback findings from eighteen Black immigrant women with recent IPV exposure and co-occurring mental health symptoms, who participated in the mindfulness sessions of BSHAPE. We identified elements of mindfulness that women perceived as beneficial in their healing. Women's feedback indicated healing and empowerment through positive appraisals and coping strategies. The benefits were noted for mindfulness elements promoting self-compassion, self-actualization, intentionality of moving forward in life, and developing positivity or a sense of optimism. Other helpful elements were relaxation, self-care and reflection, self-awareness, self-control and focused thinking. Our findings show that incorporating mindfulness practices in interventions can be beneficial for promoting the healing and empowerment of immigrant women in abusive relationships.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on meditation, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- The Role of Religion and Spirituality in Adapting Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Black American Communities: A Scoping Review Mindfulness August 1, 2023
- The Subjective Experience of Greek Women Attending a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program The European Journal of Counselling Psychology October 21, 2025
Cites 6
- Mindfulness interventions for offsetting health risk following early life stress: Promising directions. Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health August 26, 2021
- Mindfulness-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder: a review of the treatment literature and neurobiological evidence. Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience October 2, 2017
- Impact of Meditation on Mental Health Outcomes of Female Trauma Survivors of Interpersonal Violence With Co-Occurring Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Interpersonal Violence July 1, 2017
- Trauma-Informed Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Female Survivors of Interpersonal Violence: Results From a Stage I RCT. Journal of Clinical Psychology April 2016
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Low-Income, Predominantly African American Women With PTSD and a History of Intimate Partner Violence Cognitive and Behavioral Practice September 5, 2011
and 1 more in the library