Finding presence during a pandemic: a qualitative analysis of participation in an Irish University online mindfulness practice during the COVID-19 emergency
Eva Flynn, Niamh Salmon, Derek Timothy O'Keeffe, Craig Stephen Hassed
HRB Open Research July 11, 2023 DOI: 10.12688/hrbopenres.13735.1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Staff, students, and the wider community outside the University of Galway, Ireland, who participated in an online mindfulness meditation practice during the first COVID-19 lockdown |
| Intervention | Online mindfulness meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Participants reported that a twice-weekly online mindfulness meditation practice during the first COVID-19 lockdown improved self-awareness, stress management, and emotional regulation, and gave them a felt sense of empathy, compassion, and connection. The authors conclude the practice led to better wellbeing during the pandemic. |
Abstract
Background : In response to the change, and distress, that many faced during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, a twice weekly online practice of mindfulness meditation was delivered to staff, students and the wider community outside of the University of Galway, Ireland. Mindfulness is a contemplative practice which improves coping skills and reduces emotional distress. This practice allows attention to be directed to the present moment, with acceptance and without judgement. Strengthening this practice nurtures skills of dealing with difficult emotions, changing unhelpful habits, behaviours and strengthening resilience during uncertainty. The twice weekly practice of an online mindfulness meditation was delivered in the context of the changes and preventative measures of the first pandemic lockdown in Ireland. The main objective of this practice is to cultivate skills of returning to the present, being grounded and building resilience amidst adversity. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of the offered regular online practice of mindfulness meditation for participants during the COVID-19 emergency, exploring through qualitative analysis of their own lived experience with this intervention.
Methods: This qualitative study consisted of a short-structured interview process to explore the participants’ experience of the online practice of mindfulness during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Results: From participating in this regular practice at this time, participants reported improved self-awareness, stress management and emotional regulation. Along with this, participants reported the felt sense of empathy and compassion and a sense of connection.
Conclusion: This study has shown that during the difficult time of the COVID-19 pandemic, an online mindfulness meditation led to better wellbeing.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on meditation, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 11
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine May 1, 2009
- Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences November 23, 2011
- Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse JAMA Psychiatry April 28, 2016
- The Empirical Status of Mindfulness-Based Interventions: A Systematic Review of 44 Meta-Analyses of Randomized Controlled Trials Perspectives on Psychological Science February 16, 2021
and 6 more in the library