Ninth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

The benefits of contemplative practices have been demonstrated across specific health problems and among specific populations. A growing body of research on contemplative practices reflects that practitioners may experience a range of physical, social, and psychological benefits, including significant improvements in stress, emotional exhaustion, and depersonalization (Schroeder et al., 2016) as well as greater compassion, self-care and resilience which were found to be buffers of strain, distress, and burnout (Olson, Kemper, & Mahan, 2015). Likewise, studies of inter-generational learning in higher education point to numerous benefits including greater social capital, empathy, and decreases in ageist perspectives and attitudes. This session will discuss the results of a novel and innovative research project that investigated the use of contemplative practices, such as mindfulness meditation, visualization, deep listening, and contemplative movement, among a interprofessional and intergenerational group of patients, health care providers and health care students as a means to improving stress, role satisfaction, mindfulness, and compassion. Results suggest that an inter-generational and inter professional format to contemplative practice improves self perceived stress, empathy, and reduces ageism.