Publication Date
2012
Document Type
Dissertation
Committee Members
Jeffery Allen (Committee Chair), George Kraus (Committee Member), Julie Williams (Committee Member)
Degree Name
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
Abstract
The present study examined the effect of a modified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program on overall quality of life and self-reported medical and psychological symptoms among a sample of ten religious community-dwelling adults over age 65. This study served as a feasibility study to determine the efficacy of conducting similar groups over a longer time period. This 10-session group program was for individuals dealing with stress-related problems, illness, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, and incorporated aspects of religiosity germane to the sample of participants, such as recitation and reflection of scripture passages and the bidirectional relationship between one's religious practices and principles of mindfulness covered during sessions. Participants completed measures of mindfulness (Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills - KIMS), overall quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version - WHOQOL-BREF), and medical and psychological symptoms (Outcome Questionnaire 45.2 - OQ45.2, and Geriatric Depression Scale - GDS), at pre- and post-intervention. Quantitative results through the use of the Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests revealed no statistically significant differences between pre and post results for any of the four measures used. A strongly negative correlation between the KIMS pre-intervention survey and the GDS pre-intervention survey was found. Qualitative data were also gathered, and revealed themes which are discussed further. Failure to find significant results may be due to the small sample size. Limitations of this research project along with implications for future research are also discussed.
Page Count
58
Department or Program
School of Professional Psychology
Year Degree Awarded
2013
Copyright
Copyright 2012, all rights reserved. This open access ETD is published by Wright State University and OhioLINK.
