Abstract
Previous research reports positive effects of mindfulness training in increasing
empathy and reducing stress in mental health and social work professionals.
However past studies have tended to use either qualitative or quantitative methods of
inquiry. This study used a mixed method design in order to gain a fuller
understanding of the effects of an eight-week mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
(MBCT) course on mindfulness, stress and empathy in Master’s level psychotherapy
trainees. A convenience sample of 18 students participated in the study, nine took
part in the eight-week mindfulness course and a control group of nine students did
not take the course. Stress, empathy and mindfulness of both groups were measured
using paired sample t tests pre and post course. Participation in the intervention
resulted in significantly favourable increased levels of mindfulness (p < 0.01) and the
perspective taking dimension of empathy (p < 0.01). Participation also resulted in
significantly favourable reduced levels of perceived stress (p < 0.01) and the
personal distress dimension of empathy (p < 0.05). The empathic concern dimension
of empathy showed a favourable upward trend. The Fantasy Scale dimension
showed no change. Mindfulness was positively correlated with Perspective Taking
(cognitive empathy). It was negatively correlated with Perceived Stress and Personal
Distress (affective empathy) so that higher levels of mindfulness predicted lower
levels of both Perceived Stress and Personal Distress (the personal stress invoked in
seeing other’s distress).
Participants of the mindfulness course also took part in a focus group one month
after completion of the course. Participants reported using mindfulness as an ongoing
resource to manage stress. They also reported having an increased ability to tolerate
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being alone with difficult emotions, an increased awareness of automaticity, an
increase in self and other body awareness, and an increased ability to differentiate
between their own emotions and those of their clients. The comparison of the
qualitative and quantitative data pointed to a gap in information in the measure of
empathy used in the quantitative part of this study, namely there is no measure of the
body awareness dimension of empathy in the Interpersonal Reactivity Index. This
information can be used to further the understanding of mindfulness and to add to the
calls for mindfulness training to be included on professional psychotherapy training
courses in psychotherapy. Author keywords: Mindfulness, empathy, stress
