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Objectives: This study aimed to show the effectiveness of mindfulness and self-compassion therapy in improving coping abilityand adaptation to stressful situations in the elderly. Methods: Forty-five elderly non-institutionalized adults were randomized to either treatment or a treatment waiting list. A preand post-treatment assessment was performed, consisting of the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS), Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS), and Coping Strategies Questionnaire. The program was developed over 10 sessions lasting 120 minutes each. Results: Analysis of variance for repeated measures showed significant differences in the time-group interaction for the treatment’s effectiveness in improving resilience, positive reappraisal and avoidance strategies, and decreasing anxiety, problem-solving coping, negative self-focus, overt emotional expression and religion. Conclusions: The mindfulness and self-compassion program is useful for improving resilience and coping strategies and reducing anxiety and stress levels in the elderly.

Several pilot studies have provided evidence that mindfulness-based intervention is beneficial during pregnancy, yet its effects in mothers during the early parenting period are unknown. The purpose of the present pilot study was to examine the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based intervention in breast-feeding mothers. We developed and tested an 8-week mindfulness-based intervention aimed at improving maternal self-efficacy, mindfulness, self-compassion, satisfaction with life, and subjective happiness, and at reducing psychological distress. A randomized controlled, between-groups design was used with treatment and control groups (n = 26) and pretest and posttest measures. ANCOVA results indicated that, compared to the control group, mothers in the treatment group scored significantly higher on maternal self-efficacy, some dimensions of mindfulness (observing, acting with awareness, non-judging, and non-reactivity), and self-compassion (self-kindness, mindfulness, over-identification, and total self-compassion). In addition, mothers who received the treatment exhibited significantly less anxiety, stress, and psychological distress. The results supported previous research findings about the benefits of mindfulness-based intervention in women from the perinatal and postpartum periods through the early parenting period. Additional research is needed to validate our findings in non-breast-feeding mothers and to examine the intervention’s indirect benefits in terms of family relationships and child development.