Virtual mindfulness‐based wellness coaching to support mental health during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Thematic analysis of participants' experiences
Slobodan Stojanović, Meysam Pirbaglou, Carolyn Tyner, Erin Smith, Camrie Kerry, Paul Ritvo
American Journal of Community Psychology September 21, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/ajcp.70110 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 23 |
| Population | Older adults who were regular attendees of a virtual Mindfulness-based Wellness Coaching (MBWC) intervention delivered by the YMCA of Greater Toronto |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based Wellness Coaching (MBWC) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Participants reported that the virtual MBWC intervention supported mindful attitudes, manifesting in increased interpersonal awareness, intrapersonal awareness, and effective coping. They identified regular practice, open and nonprescriptive guidance, and group dialogue as key intervention practices, and cited pandemic-related coping difficulties and prior meditation experience as reasons for attending. The authors conclude that virtual MBWC is a feasible and scalable mental health intervention. |
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and associated disruptions adversely impacted physical and mental health. The shift to remote delivery of medical and psychological services provided opportunities to disseminate effective community interventions, unimpeded by needs for local in-person meetings. This study focuses on the responses of older adults to the virtual community Mindfulness-based Wellness Coaching (MBWC) intervention that was delivered by the YMCA of Greater Toronto. We focus on the thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews of 23 participants who were regular attendees. Themes identified pertain to participants perspectives on reasons for attendance, key intervention practices, and benefits. In relation to reasons for attendance, responses indicated the influence of (1) pandemic-related coping difficulties, and (2) prior experiences with meditation-based practices. Responses highlighted in key intervention practices were: (1) regular practice, (2) open and nonprescriptive guidance, and (3) group dialogue. Participants found the intervention effective in supporting mindful attitudes which manifested in increased: (1) interpersonal awareness, (2) intrapersonal awareness, and (3) effective coping. Given the consistent enrolment during the pandemic and participants' perspectives, virtual MBWC is a feasible and scalable mental health intervention.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on meditation, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 12
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and 7 more in the library