Prevalence of Mindfulness Practices in the US Workforce: National Health Interview Survey.
Author: Kachan D1, Olano H1, Tannenbaum SL2, Annane DW2, Mehta A2, Arheart KL1, Fleming LE3, Yang X4, McClure LA2, Lee DJ1,2.
Affiliation:
1Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.
2Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.
3European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
4Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, 1120 NW 14th St, Room 1027, Miami, FL 33136. E-mail: xxy100@med.miami.edu.
Conference/Journal: Prev Chronic Dis
Date published: 2017 Jan 5
Other:
Volume ID: 14 , Pages: E01 , Special Notes: doi: 10.5888/pcd14.160034 , Word Count: 169
Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
Mindfulness-based practices can improve workers' health and reduce employers' costs by ameliorating the negative effect of stress on workers' health. We examined the prevalence of engagement in 4 mindfulness-based practices in the US workforce.
METHODS:
We used 2002, 2007, and 2012 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data for adults (aged ≥18 y, n = 85,004) to examine 12-month engagement in meditation, yoga, tai chi, and qigong among different groups of workers.
RESULTS:
Reported yoga practice prevalence nearly doubled from 6.0% in 2002 to 11.0% in 2012 (P < .001); meditation rates increased from 8.0% in 2002 to 9.9% in 2007 (P < .001). In multivariable models, mindfulness practice was significantly lower among farm workers (odds ratio [OR] = 0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.21-0.83]) and blue-collar workers (OR = 0.63; 95% CI, 0.54-0.74) than among white-collar workers.
CONCLUSION:
Worker groups with low rates of engagement in mindfulness practices could most benefit from workplace mindfulness interventions. Improving institutional factors limiting access to mindfulness-based wellness programs and addressing existing beliefs about mindfulness practices among underrepresented worker groups could help eliminate barriers to these programs.
PMID: 28055821 DOI: 10.5888/pcd14.160034
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