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Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on employees’ mental health: A systematic review

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  • Math Janssen
  • Yvonne Heerkens
  • Wietske Kuijer
  • Beatrice van der Heijden
  • Josephine Engels

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this exploratory study was to obtain greater insight into the effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on the mental health of employees. Methods: Using PsycINFO, PubMed, and CINAHL, we performed a systematic review in October 2015 of studies investigating the effects of MBSR and MBCT on various aspects of employees’ mental health. Studies with a pre-post design (i.e. without a control group) were excluded. Results: 24 articles were identified, describing 23 studies: 22 on the effects of MBSR and 1 on the effects of MBSR in combination with some aspects of MBCT. Since no study focused exclusively on MBCT, its effects are not described in this systematic review. Of the 23 studies, 2 were of high methodological quality, 15 were of medium quality and 6 were of low quality. A meta-analysis was not performed due to the emergent and relatively uncharted nature of the topic of investigation, the exploratory character of this study, and the diversity of outcomes in the studies reviewed. Based on our analysis, the strongest outcomes were reduced levels of emotional exhaustion (a dimension of burnout), stress, psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and occupational stress. Improvements were found in terms of mindfulness, personal accomplishment (a dimension of burnout), (occupational) self-compassion, quality of sleep, and relaxation. Conclusion: The results of this systematic review suggest that MBSR may help to improve psychological functioning in employees.

Suggested Citation

  • Math Janssen & Yvonne Heerkens & Wietske Kuijer & Beatrice van der Heijden & Josephine Engels, 2018. "Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on employees’ mental health: A systematic review," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(1), pages 1-37, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0191332
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191332
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shu-Ling Huang & Ren-Hau Li & Feng-Ying Huang & Feng-Cheng Tang, 2015. "The Potential for Mindfulness-Based Intervention in Workplace Mental Health Promotion: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(9), pages 1-15, September.
    2. Clara Strauss & Kate Cavanagh & Annie Oliver & Danelle Pettman, 2014. "Mindfulness-Based Interventions for People Diagnosed with a Current Episode of an Anxiety or Depressive Disorder: A Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(4), pages 1-13, April.
    3. Stephanie Coronado-Montoya & Alexander W Levis & Linda Kwakkenbos & Russell J Steele & Erick H Turner & Brett D Thombs, 2016. "Reporting of Positive Results in Randomized Controlled Trials of Mindfulness-Based Mental Health Interventions," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(4), pages 1-18, April.
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    1. Massimiliano Barattucci & Anna Maria Padovan & Ermanno Vitale & Venerando Rapisarda & Tiziana Ramaci & Andrea De Giorgio, 2019. "Mindfulness-Based IARA Model ® Proves Effective to Reduce Stress and Anxiety in Health Care Professionals. A Six-Month Follow-Up Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-13, November.
    2. Cintia Díaz-Silveira & Carlos-María Alcover & Francisco Burgos & Alberto Marcos & Miguel A. Santed, 2020. "Mindfulness versus Physical Exercise: Effects of Two Recovery Strategies on Mental Health, Stress and Immunoglobulin A during Lunch Breaks. A Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-18, April.
    3. Math Janssen & Beatrice Van der Heijden & Josephine Engels & Hubert Korzilius & Pascale Peters & Yvonne Heerkens, 2020. "Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Training on Healthcare Professionals’ Mental Health: Results from a Pilot Study Testing Its Predictive Validity in a Specialized Hospital Setting," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-14, December.
    4. Xinyue Wen & Ismaël Rafaï & Sébastien Duchêne & Marc Willinger, 2022. "Did Mindful People Do Better during the COVID-19 Pandemic? Mindfulness Is Associated with Well-Being and Compliance with Prophylactic Measures," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-25, April.
    5. Anton Skolzkov & Evgeniya Efremova, 2023. "Impact of a Brief Mindfulness Training on Anxiety, Depression, and Subjective Happiness of the First-Year Psychology Students in Russia: Pilot Case Study of Ural Federal University," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(2), pages 21582440231, April.
    6. Ilse Blignault & Hend Saab & Lisa Woodland & Klara Giourgas & Heba Baddah, 2022. "Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing in Multicultural Australia: A Collaborative Regional Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-21, February.
    7. Ram B Singh & Shaw Watanabe & Duo Li & Teiji Nakamura & Lekh Raj Juneja & Toru Takahashi & Anuj Maheshwari & Narsingh Verma & Sanit Wichansawakun & Germaine Cornelissen & Agnieszka Wilczynska & Ibrahi, 2019. "Diet And Lifestyle Guidelines And Desirable Levels Of Risk Factors And Protective Factors For Prevention Of Dementia - A Scientific Statement From Joint Symposium Of Jaas And Apcns," Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, Biomedical Research Network+, LLC, vol. 17(3), pages 12844-12864, April.
    8. McDaid, David & Park, A-La & Wahlbeck, Kristian, 2019. "The economic case for the prevention of mental illness," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 100054, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    9. Tia Rich & Benjamin W. Chrisinger & Rajani Kaimal & Sandra J. Winter & Haley Hedlin & Yan Min & Xueyin Zhao & Shankuan Zhu & San-Lin You & Chien-An Sun & Jaw-Town Lin & Ann W. Hsing & Catherine Heaney, 2022. "Contemplative Practices Behavior Is Positively Associated with Well-Being in Three Global Multi-Regional Stanford WELL for Life Cohorts," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-19, October.
    10. Annalisa Grandi & Margherita Zito & Luisa Sist & Monica Martoni & Vincenzo Russo & Lara Colombo, 2022. "Wellbeing in Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic: The Mediating Role of Self-Compassion in the Relationship between Personal Resources and Exhaustion," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-16, February.
    11. William J. Fleming, 2024. "Employee well‐being outcomes from individual‐level mental health interventions: Cross‐sectional evidence from the United Kingdom," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 55(2), pages 162-182, March.
    12. Agnieszka Dudziak & Anna Kocira, 2022. "Preference-Based Determinants of Consumer Choice on the Polish Organic Food Market," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-18, September.
    13. Li, Ying & Chen, Hongyu & Xin, Xiaoyang & Ji, Ming, 2020. "The influence of mindfulness on mental state with regard to safety among civil pilots," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    14. Bellucci, Marco & Biggeri, Mario & Nitti, Carmela & Terenzi, Linda, 2023. "Accounting for disability and work inclusion in tourism," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    15. Holt, Stephen B. & Wang, Rui & Gershenson, Seth, 2020. "Stress Test: Examining the Evolution of Teachers' Mental Health Over Time," IZA Discussion Papers 13361, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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