Mindfulness Training To Reduce Perceived Stress Among Manufacturing Employees: An Evidence-Based Project
Abstract
Background: Stress, a state of emotional or physical tension, is experienced by individuals for various reasons. The American Psychological Association identifies money, work, and the economy as the most frequently cited sources of stress. Workers in manufacturing settings are particularly susceptible to increased levels of perceived stress due to the demanding nature of their work. To reduce stress levels, some manufacturing companies have begun implementing different interventions, including mindfulness-based stress reduction.
Objectives: The aim of this project was to implement a weekly 30-minute mindfulness training program over six weeks to reduce perceived stress levels among manufacturing employees at a company located in a large metropolitan region in south-central Texas. PICOT Question: "Will implementation of an evidence-based mindfulness program (I) reduce perceived stress levels (O) in manufacturing workers (P) compared to the pre-intervention period (C) within six weeks (T)?"
Methodology: This project employed a pre-and post-intervention survey design. The perceived stress scale (PSS) survey, a traditional stress assessment tool consisting of a 10-item questionnaire and a demographics questionnaire, was administered to 37 workers before training. For six weeks, mindfulness-based interventions, such as breathing exercises, meditation, journaling, and guided body scan training, were introduced through weekly reading materials, videos, and practice sessions. After the six-week training, a follow-up assessment using the PSS survey was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Data evaluation was performed using Intellectus Statistics, and two-tailed Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to determine the significance of the pre-and post-intervention findings.
Results: The findings demonstrated a significant (p = 0.41) reduction in perceived stress levels among manufacturing workers of African American, White, and Asian ethnicities, due to the evidence-based mindfulness training program.
Conclusion: Mindfulness practices can improve manufacturing-employee well-being, enhance performance, and foster positive interpersonal relationships. Mindfulness training can contribute to a healthier and more productive manufacturing environment by promoting present-moment awareness and reducing stress.
Implication for Practice: Mindfulness practices enhance the well-being of manufacturing workers by increasing self-awareness, reducing perceived workplace stress, and fostering an environment for daily practice. Keywords: mindfulness, stress, manufacturing workers