Characteristics of United States Military Personnel and Veterans Who Complete Mindfulness Training

摘要

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.