Mexican American Attitudes Towards Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: Acceptability, Accessibility, and Cultural Compatibility

The present study investigated Mexican American attitudes towards Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) through a mixed methods design. Seventeen Mexican American participants were introduced to the MBSR program through their participation in a 90-minute introductory class. Participants provided feedback about the MBSR program's acceptability, accessibility, and cultural compatibility through their responses in questionnaires, and in a focus group interview. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed to assess the MBSR program's strengths, weaknesses, and feasibility for Mexican Americans, and to generate recommendations for culturally sensitive modifications to improve the MBSR program for this population. Data analysis yielded nine major themes: (1) the influence of social values on MBSR involvement, (2) compatibility with spiritual beliefs, (3) within group differences in attitudes towards MBSR, (4) participant experiences of the MBSR class, (5) perceived benefits of MBSR, (6) influences on motivation to participate, (7) perceived barriers to participation, (8) suggested adaptations to the MBSR program, and (9) approaches for "getting the word out" to the Mexican American community. The results of this study provide information for clinicians who wish to increase the cultural sensitivity of MBSR programs for implementation with Mexican American clients.