Abstract
Research demonstrates mindfulness training (MT) benefits military personnel by reducing stress [1] and maintaining working memory [2]. However, learning mindfulness meditation takes time and dedication to cultivate contemplative skills and face one’s personal struggles. This study investigated the personal characteristics of research volunteers who completed MT, taught in-person (IP) or in a Virtual World (VW), compared with those who did not complete training. Volunteers (n = 160) completed a demographic questionnaire, the Mindful Awareness and Attention Scale, and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Military version before beginning MT. For the IP group, a higher percentage of females completed training than males. For the VW group, those who finished training were slightly older, more mindful, and did not meet the criteria for a presumptive diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The results suggest that women, those with PTSD, and those who are less mindful may complete and receive greater benefit from MT offered in-person.
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Acknowledgements
This research was supported in part by the Army Study Program Management Office (ASPMO). Our appreciation is offered to our colleagues Gary L. Boykin Sr., Angela D. Jeter and Rebekah L. Tree. Special thanks to those who participated in this study. Our appreciation is extended to all U.S. service members and veterans. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.
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Liu, B., Rice, V.J. (2018). Characteristics of United States Military Personnel and Veterans Who Complete Mindfulness Training. In: Duffy, V., Lightner, N. (eds) Advances in Human Factors and Ergonomics in Healthcare and Medical Devices. AHFE 2017. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 590. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-60483-1_3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-60483-1_3
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