It has been supported by mutliple studies that MBI's such as Mindfulness Meditations and Vipassana Meditation help those involved in the justice system reduce stress, anger, substance use and improve emotional regulations.

Syracuse University

Vipassana meditation is a form of Buddhist meditation that involves continued close attention to sensations and mental events with the intention of gaining insight to the true nature of existence/ reality.  

Vipassana (insight) meditation

There are various populations that can benefit from the use of mindfulness-based interventions, and these populations can differ in age, gender, race, orientations, etc. 

- Children and youth
- Parents
- Those Suffering From Addiction
- Patients with anxiety or depression
- Patients with eating disorders
- Those suffering from minority stress
- Traumatic Brain Injury patients
- Healthcare workers
- Adult Survivors of Childhood Trauma 
- Athletes
- People Who Have Insomnia
- War veterans who suffer from PTSD
- Incarcerated Individuals

Populations that Benefit from Mindfulness Interventions

Evans-Chase, M., Kornmann, R., Litts, C., & Pantesco, E. (2019). freemind: Young women using mindfulness meditation to cope with life in a juvenile justice institution. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 12(3), 377-385. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-018-0245-5

#freemind: Young Women Using Mindfulness Meditation to Cope with Life in a Juvenile Justice Institution

Bowen, S., Witkiewitz, K., Dillworth, T. M., Chawla, N., Simpson, T. L., Ostafin, B. D., Larimer, M. E., Blume, A. W., Parks, G. A., & Marlatt, G. A. (2006). Mindfulness meditation and substance use in an incarcerated population. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 20(3), 343-347. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-164X.20.3.343

Mindfulness Meditation and Substance Use in an Incarcerated Population

Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Incarcerated Individuals

Through Vipassana Meditation females, especially non-buddhists, reported experiencing reactions to gender discrimination as well as  increased femininity, despite VM being a non-gendered practice.

Vipassana Meditation and Gender

Preliminary studies have shown that practitioner’s of VM have a lower density of occipital slow sleep spindles and experienced a reorganization of memory consolidation during sleep.

Vipassana Meditation and Sleep Regulation

"Vipassana" means insight in Sanskrit. It is the media of teaching by Buddha. Because Buddha attain the experience of truth by meditation, what Buddha taught people will also be meditation. 

Definition of Vipassana

Participants are asked to stay in an isolated, secluded place for 9-10 days to avoid contact with others. The basic physical needs are provided by a helper. Participants follow code of morality which includes abstinence and celibacy, and they are required to be silent except for asking for help and instruction.

Practice of Vipassana Meditation

To search for truth:

1.Truth of reality and suffering

2.Truth of mind and happiness

Principle of Vipassana Meditation

1. Self-liberation

2. Truth about happiness

Why people should do Vipassana meditation

It is noted that there are possible benefits for children participating in different mindfulness-related activities, such as yoga and meditation. However, it should be noted that more in-depth research is needed to measure change over time.

Mindfulness in Children and Youth

Mindfulness has been studied for its usage in those suffering from addiction to substances. Mindfulness has been shown in some scenarios to be effective in decreasing addictive behaviors in people addicted to substances such as opioids, heroin, cocaine, drinking, and smoking. 

Mindfulness for those suffering from substance use disorder

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) was one of the original treatments for mental disorders like depression and anxiety.  While CBT is still a very popular treatment, mindfulness-based interventions like Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) have been shown to be as effective as CBT, creating the "new" types of treatment.

Mindfulness Interventions in Patients with Depression and Anxiety

- Hypothesis which states that internalized stigma contributes to existing mental health disparities in marginalized communities

Minority Stress Hypothesis

Mindfulness has been shown to be effective in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms in adults who had  (ACE) adverse childhood experiences that led to trauma.

Mindfulness in Adult Survivors of Childhood Trauma 

There are possible benefits for people who suffering from addiction from mindfulness-related activities.

Those Suffering From Addiction

Mindfulness interventions have been shown to be beneficial for those suffering with eating disorders including anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and bulimia nervosa.

Mindfulness for patients with eating disorders

It has been proven that mindfulness-based interventions have been successful in reducing anxiety, symptoms of stress, improving well-being, and cognitive ability in athletes. Mindfulness-based interventions allow athletes to separate themselves from their feelings, thoughts, and perceptions by taking on a role as an "external observer."

Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Athletes

In general, Mindfulness Based Interventions have the strongest effects on self-reported sleep quality and on decreasing total wake time in people with insomnia. Additionally, it has been shown to positively affect the severity of insomnia as well. These benefits are achieved because through the the targeting of arousal in mindfulness practices, a mindful stance can be achieved, thus decreasing sleep arousal and allowing for normal sleep patterns to emerge. 

Mindfulness and Effects on Insomnia

Through mindfulness practices, parents are able to not only improve their own health and deal with the stress of being a parent but also improve their relationship with their children.  With their parents learning mindfulness practices, children are able to form more secure attachment styles and improve their own behavior.

Mindfulness in Parents

 Mindfulness-based therapies combines the use of mindfulness principles and practices with behavioral strategies for insomnia. Mindfulness-based therapies can provide an alternative treatment to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) by addressing hyper-arousal symptoms of insomnia. With the development of a conscious awareness through mindfulness meditation, there is a reduction in cognitive and physiological hyper-arousal, which targets chronic insomnia.

Mindfulness and Behavior Therapy for Insomnia

A disorder that results from experiencing or witnessing something that makes one feel afraid, terrified, or powerless and makes them think that their life, bodily integrity, or safety are in danger. It manifests as painful and intrusive memories of the stressful event, jitteriness, ongoing negative emotional states, social distancing, violent outbursts, and avoiding reminders of the incident.

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