Mindfulness-Based Prevention of Addiction for Adolescent with MBID - Literature Review and Feasibility Study

Abstract

Objective: This review reports on the current state of mindfulness-based interventions to prevent alcohol use in children and adolescents with Mild to Borderline Intellectual Disability (MBID). Preliminary results of a feasibility study as part of an ongoing study on a mindfulness-based intervention for the prevention of alcohol use are reported. The aim is to draw conclusions for the development of mindfulness-based prevention programs. Methods: Focused literature search of databases (Pubmed, Psycinfo (APA), Google Scholar) and, as part of the feasibility study, assessment of mindfulness-based prevention elements on a total of n = 32 adolescents with MBID. Results: The literature revealed limited empirical evidence on the effectiveness and implementation of mindfulness in individuals with MBID. The feasibility study shows that mindfulness-based exercises can be carried out with adolescents affected by MBID. Even mindfulness-based elements, that are considered as challenging, such as formal meditations, are also feasible when adjusted in length and supported by linguistic imagery. Conclusions: The current evidence on preventive mindfulness-based interventions for individuals with MBID is insufficient. Results from our own feasibility study suggest that mindfulness-based interventions are viable and promising for this target group.