Mindfulness program for cognitive errors of workers: role of consciousness, worry and rumination

Introduction. Mindfulness has been introduced in numerous healthcare programs and in work settings with promising results. Objective. To evaluate the impact of a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) on workers’ attention-related cognitive errors (ARCEs) and to study the mediating role of mindfulness, worry, and rumination in decreasing ARCEs. Method. The intervention followed the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program (MBSR) protocol, including weekly sessions and one full-day session. Participants were assessed through the scales: Attention Related Cognitive Errors Scale (ARCES), Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MASS), Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), and Ruminative Response Scale Brooding domain (RRS-B) in the two conditions (pre-test – post-test). Multiple mediation analyses were then conducted to examine whether pre- to posttreatment changes in ARCES scores were mediated by changes in MASS, PSWQ, and RRS-B scores. Results. 74 adults (mean age: 42.25 years) participated, 76.3% of whom were women. The intervention resulted in significant changes in ARCES and MASS, PSWQ, and RRS-B scores. Mediation analyses showed that mindfulness, worry, and rumination mediated improvements in attention-related cognitive errors. Conclusion. Meditation increases mindfulness and reduces worry and rumination, thereby decreasing attention-related cognitive errors in workers.