Dissertation
Exploring Technology-Supported Mindfulness Strategies in Emerging Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Washington State University
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
01/2021
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000002479
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/123531
Abstract
Emerging adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are at an increased risk of experiencing high levels of stress. Mindfulness, which refers to paying attention in the present moment in a nonjudgmental way, is one coping strategy that can help reduce stress among emerging adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Monitor-and-acceptance theory is a theoretical framework that describes how attention monitoring and acceptance are mechanisms that help explain the effects of mindfulness practice on stress. A novel approach to practicing mindfulness in this population is through the use of technology-supported mindfulness strategies. Mobile and wearable devices may help these individuals practice state mindfulness, which refers to the quality of mindfulness at a particular point in time. In the present study, a wearable electroencephalogram called the MUSE, which provides neurofeedback cues for mindfulness practice, and the Headspace app, a guided audio mindfulness practice, were used to promote state mindfulness. Following a convergent parallel mixed methods design, an alternating treatment design was used for the quantitative data to investigate differences in state mindfulness, attention monitoring, acceptance, and state stress in emerging adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities using the MUSE, Headspace app, or no technology support. For the qualitative data, interviews were conducted to examine the experiences and attitudes in this population after using these devices. A total of four emerging adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities completed five baseline and 15 intervention sessions, totaling 20 study sessions. There was partial support for the hypothesized relationship between using the technology-supported strategies and higher state mindfulness scores, higher attention monitoring scores, higher acceptance scores, and reduced state stress compared to no technology devices at all in the participants. Three themes emerged from the data that included how the devices were preferred for mindfulness practice, how paying attention to the breath can support mental health, and how Zoom can affect mindfulness practice. Future research consisting of extending the duration and length of using the devices for mindfulness practice and considering the intellectual disability severity level are discussed.
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Details
- Title
- Exploring Technology-Supported Mindfulness Strategies in Emerging Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
- Creators
- Amanda Katherine McMahon
- Contributors
- Anne Cox (Advisor)Holly Whittenburg (Committee Member)Brittany Cooper Rhoades (Committee Member)Michael Cleveland (Committee Member)Darcy Miller (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Human Development, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 295
- Identifiers
- 99900606956401842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dissertation