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‘What is inside is outside’: The influence of dispositional mindfulness and practices on social work intervention

Sandra Romero-Martín, Carmen Elboj Saso, Tatiana Íñiguez‐Berrozpe

The British Journal of Social Work October 21, 2026 DOI: 10.1093/bjsw/bcag262 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Qualitative study (communicative paradigm, part of a mixed-methods study) Peer reviewed
Sample size 42
Population Social workers
Topics Meditation
Key findings The authors report that dispositional mindfulness enhances self-awareness, facilitates early detection of burnout as a protective factor, and encourages reflection on individual and organizational conditions of burnout, also supporting personal well-being and professional interventions. Yet professionals showed limited engagement with self-care and some reluctance toward mindfulness. The authors argue mindfulness contributes most when embedded in broader organizational and structural responses.

Abstract

Abstract Social work is a profession with a high risk of emotional exhaustion and burnout. Although personal and organizational self-care is essential, professionals tend to prioritize users’ needs and engage in self-care only to a limited extent. In recent years, mindfulness has become established as a strategy for self-care and self-awareness, with growing evidence of its benefits. However, most existing studies focus on the effectiveness of mindfulness-based programs and employ quantitative methodologies. This study also focuses on dispositional mindfulness (not derived from formal practice), providing a qualitative perspective that complements previous quantitative research. Using the communicative paradigm, qualitative results are presented from a mixed-methods study analyzing the discourse of 42 social workers across 20 communicative stories and 5 communicative discussion groups. The findings suggest that mindfulness enhances self-awareness and facilitates the early detection of burnout, acting as a protective factor, and encourages greater reflection on the individual and organizational conditions associated with burnout. It also contributes to personal well-being and improves professional interventions. Nevertheless, professionals show limited engagement with self-care and some reluctance towards the practice of mindfulness, both individual and organizationally. Although mindfulness may support professional wellbeing, its contribution is greatest when embedded within broader organizational and structural responses.

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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