Kanthamoney Pillay
Gillian Eagle

Academic research on mindfulness has grown exponentially over the last few decades. Despite initial skepticism from some Western sources, the evidence base suggests that mindfulness training (MT) may impact positively on physical and psychological health in both clinical and non-clinical contexts. This paper explores the contention that MT may offer an evidenced-based, comprehensive, contextually relevant, and holistic approach to addressing the individually intensive and socially extensive impact of psychological trauma in South Africa and other similar settings characterized by high levels of violence and limited professional intervention resources. Three inter-related issues are explored in support of this proposal: firstly, evidence that mechanisms of trauma impact and mindfulness benefit are closely inter-related; secondly, the fact that mindfulness can produce both immediate therapeutic and long term prophylactic gain and may therefore be of benefit not only for past traumatization but also in contexts of continuous traumatic stress; and thirdly, the contention that MT may be an appropriate community based intervention in mental health resource constrained contexts.

Kanthamoney Pillay
Gillian Eagle
Yvette Esprey

Trauma counselors are vulnerable to negative impacts such as secondary traumatic stress and vicarious traumatization. This study investigated Mindfulness Training as a self-care strategy for counselors in South Africa, examining the effect of MT on negative and positive secondary trauma impacts (STI), and employing a quasi-experimental embedded mixed methods research model to investigate the impact of MT and areas of greatest post-intervention change. The study compared pre- and posttest scores across an MT intervention group and an active control group. A mixed Between-Within Subjects ANOVA was tested for mean differences between the two independent groups, while simultaneously subjecting participants to repeated measures, to establish whether mean changes in the outcome scores on the dependent variables from pretest to posttest differed significantly for individuals over time within the groups. Results indicated that MT was effective in reducing negative STI and in increasing trait mindfulness. Benefits were sustained three months post-intervention. MT was associated with variable rates of change on each outcome measure. The evidence supports the role of MT in reducing negative STIs in trauma counselors.