Mindfulness meditation and mental well-being indicators

Abstract

Objective To evaluate effect of mindfulness meditation practicing in daily life and to develop mental well-being indicators.

Materials and methods The quasi-experimental study in 30 volunteers personnel entering the mindfulness meditation based on Mahasatipattanasutta course during 21- 23 May 2007. Subjects completed the mental well-being questionnaire developed by researchers before and 4 weeks after the course. Means, frequency and the differences
of scores were calculated.

Results There were 25 completed copies for analysis. Data showed that the number of female was 17, average age; 45.71 (SD = 10.43) years and average education
year; 12 (SD = 3.85). Most were married. Most had never practiced meditation (21 cases). The mental well-being questionnaire divided into 2 parts i.e, mental quality
such as peaceful in mind, cheerful etc. and mental capacity for example tolerance in working, expectation to other people. Each part had 8 items and had an acceptable
internal consistency. The differences of mean score of the mental well-being questionnaire i.e, total and each part were statistical significant.

Conclusion Mindfulness meditation practicing in daily life enhanced mental well-being and personnel moral and the questionnaire could evaluate the effect of
the meditation based on Mahasatipattanasutta.