Le, Thao N. (University of Hawaii, Manoa, USA)
Mindfulness with youth in school and correctional facility in Hawaii and Vietnam
This presentation is a feasibility study of a mindfulness-based youth intervention programme that was delivered in two different cultural contexts. In Vietnam the concept of mindfulness has deep roots with more than 60% of the population practicing some form of Buddhism. Many cultural stories, metaphors and aphorism reflect Buddhist ethics, the nature of suffering, and the overcoming of suffering. The first half of the presentation discusses the results of the programme with 120 at-risk and handicapped youth in Central Vietnam. In Hawaii the concept of aloha has much resonance with mindfulness in that aloha's spiritual definition is "to become empty so as to connect.” Mindfulness is one contemplative practice to discover the appropriate aloha response. The presentation discusses the implementation and results of the programme with 36 incarcerated mixed-ethnic/native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander youth using a pre/post-test, and included measures for salivary cortisol, secretary IgA, present awareness, impulsivity, perceived stress, and self-regulation. Data from personal reflection journals were also available and submitted to content coding. The results revealed significant changes for levels of cortisol and IgA t(13)=2.25, p < .05, t(19)=-3.44, p<.01, respectively. Perceived stress was also statistically significantly lower at termination versus baseline, t(64)=2.31, p<.05. Content coding of the reflection journals revealed themes of positive emotions, mindfulness, awareness of self, and connection to others. At both sites, limitations of the study included a small sample, while strengths included extreme receptivity by youth and institutional acceptance.
Mindfulness with youth in school and correctional facility in Hawaii and Vietnam
This presentation is a feasibility study of a mindfulness-based youth intervention programme that was delivered in two different cultural contexts. In Vietnam the concept of mindfulness has deep roots with more than 60% of the population practicing some form of Buddhism. Many cultural stories, metaphors and aphorism reflect Buddhist ethics, the nature of suffering, and the overcoming of suffering. The first half of the presentation discusses the results of the programme with 120 at-risk and handicapped youth in Central Vietnam. In Hawaii the concept of aloha has much resonance with mindfulness in that aloha's spiritual definition is "to become empty so as to connect.” Mindfulness is one contemplative practice to discover the appropriate aloha response. The presentation discusses the implementation and results of the programme with 36 incarcerated mixed-ethnic/native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander youth using a pre/post-test, and included measures for salivary cortisol, secretary IgA, present awareness, impulsivity, perceived stress, and self-regulation. Data from personal reflection journals were also available and submitted to content coding. The results revealed significant changes for levels of cortisol and IgA t(13)=2.25, p < .05, t(19)=-3.44, p<.01, respectively. Perceived stress was also statistically significantly lower at termination versus baseline, t(64)=2.31, p<.05. Content coding of the reflection journals revealed themes of positive emotions, mindfulness, awareness of self, and connection to others. At both sites, limitations of the study included a small sample, while strengths included extreme receptivity by youth and institutional acceptance.