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Building a Grounded Theory of Engagement in Mindfulness-Based Group Therapy for Distressing Voices.

Ciaran McHale, Mark Hayward, Fergal Jones

Qualitative Health Research August 10, 2018 DOI: 10.1177/1049732318789897 (opens in new tab)

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AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Qualitative study Peer reviewed
Sample size 13
Population Ten service users and three therapists with experience of mindfulness-based groups for distressing voices in the United Kingdom
Intervention Mindfulness-based group therapy
Topics Meditation
Keywords Humans Hallucinations Adaptation, psychological Motivation Learning Psychological theory Psychotherapy, group Safety Adult Middle aged Patient dropouts Female Interviews as topic United kingdom Engagement Therapies Psychological issues Voice hearing Grounded theory method
Key findings Proposes a grounded theory model in which engagement in mindfulness-based groups for distressing voices is a recursive process of investing in change and continually evaluating its usefulness and safety. Barriers were often overcome, but when they compromised perceived safety, dropout followed; for others, group rewards were partly integrated after the group ended. Suggests engagement can be encouraged by establishing universality around voice hearing early, reducing uncertainty, sharing mindfulness difficulties, and mapping group progress.

Abstract

Mindfulness-based group therapy shows promise as a treatment for distressing voice hearing. However, fostering engagement in groups can be challenging, and no theory of engagement in group therapy for distressing voices exists to guide practice or research. This study employed Grounded Theory Method to build a theory of engagement in mindfulness-based groups for distressing voices. Ten service-users and three therapists were interviewed about their experiences of such groups. The model that emerged involves a recursive process of investing in change and continually evaluating its usefulness and safety. Barriers to engagement were often overcome, but sometimes compromised perceived safety, leading to dropout. For others, group participation led to rewards, some of which were integrated beyond group termination. Group engagement can be encouraged by establishing universality around voice hearing early, reducing uncertainty, sharing difficulties with mindfulness practices, and mapping group progress to create a cohering sense of collaboration on therapy tasks.

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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