Reducing stress and burnout in the public-sector work environment: A mindfulness meditation pilot study.

Elizabeth Vella; Shane Mciver

doi:10.1002/hpja.192

Reducing stress and burnout in the public-sector work environment: A mindfulness meditation pilot study.

Elizabeth Vella, Shane Mciver

Health Promotion Journal of Australia April 2019 DOI: 10.1002/hpja.192 (opens in new tab)

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Characteristics	Mixed-methods, single-group, pre-/post-test proof-of-concept study Pilot study Qualitative Peer reviewed
Sample size	65
Population	Employees of an Australian government organisation
Intervention	Mindfulness meditation program
Duration	8-week program, weekly 45-minute sessions; 65% retention rate
Measures	Perceived Stress Scale, Maslach Burnout Inventory
Topics	Meditation
Keywords	Burnout Mental health Workplace stress
Key points	The 8-week mindfulness meditation program was associated with statistically significant decreases in perceived stress (d = 0.8) and emotional exhaustion (d = 0.4) among 65 public-sector employees. Qualitative themes suggested participants experienced increased recognition of stress triggers, greater ability to detach from stressors, increased calmness, and improved ability to prioritise work. The authors propose that an appropriately adapted program can be an effective, efficient, and low-cost addition to organisational health promotion.

Abstract

Identifying ways to manage the psychological and emotional costs of workplace stress is essential. Mindfulness meditation is reported to support mental well-being; however, findings are limited in Australian business settings. Accordingly, this study explored the efficacy of a mindfulness meditation program tailored for an Australian public-sector workplace. A mixed-methods, single-group, pre-/post-test design was used to evaluate a proof-of-concept mindfulness intervention. Quantitative measures included the Perceived Stress Scale and Maslach Burnout Inventory. Survey data were collected to analyse participant experiences. Participants (n = 65) were recruited from a government organisation. The 8-week program ran weekly for 45 minutes and had a 65% retention rate. Resources were provided to support home practice. Statistically significant decreases were obtained for perceived stress (d = 0.8) and emotional exhaustion (d = 0.4). Themes from qualitative findings suggested participants experienced an increased recognition of stress triggers, increased ability to detach from stressors, increased calmness and increased ability to prioritise work. Qualitative results extend comparable quantitative research by detailing how an appropriately tailored 8-week meditation-based program has the potential to decrease perceived stress in highly stressful work environments. SO WHAT?: Triangulated data suggest that an appropriately adapted mindfulness meditation program can be an effective, efficient and low-cost inclusion within an organisation's health promotion repertoire to help increase mental health among staff.

Comparable studies

Other qualitative studies on meditation, most cited first.

Study	Year	Design	Participants
The varieties of contemplative experience: A mixed-methods study of meditation-related challenges in Western Buddhists Western Buddhist meditation practitioners and experts in Theravāda, Zen, and Tibetan...	2017	Qualitative study with mixed-methods
The Effects of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction on Nurse Stress and Burnout Nurses in a hospital system	2004	Implementation study with mixed methods
An exploratory mixed methods study of the acceptability and effectiveness of mindfulness -based cognitive therapy for patients with active depression and anxiety in primary care Primary care patients with recurrent depression or recurrent depression and anxiety	2006	Exploratory mixed methods study	n = 13
A qualitative study of mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy for depression Participants in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in a mental-health context	2001	Qualitative study	n = 7
Effortless awareness: using real time neurofeedback to investigate correlates of posterior cingulate cortex activity in meditators' self-report Meditators	2013	Qualitative study using grounded theory methodology

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