Date of Award

4-13-2022

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Lisa Van Getson, APRN, DNP, FNP-C

Second Advisor

Deborah Schumacher, DNP, PHN, RN

Abstract

The current study investigated the effect of mindful meditation on anxiety levels in the LGBTQ+ urban student population. An incorporation of Margaret Newman’s Theory of Health as Expanding Consciousness and theoretical concepts of living in the present moment guided these participants in exposing traumas and relational development forming anxiety. Ten LGBTQ+ urban students (N=10) were randomly selected to examine their involvements via the practice of mindful meditation, further determine past traumas associated with identifying within the LGTBQ+ community, and examine how these impact daily experiences of anxiety. Participants completed Likert Surveys to ascertain the effect that mindful meditation had on relieving their anxiety. Due to Covid restrictions, participants were provided with an introduction to mindful meditation, given expectations of practice, encouraged to journal and share experiences, and advised to focus on the idea of utilizing the central theory of presence within the moment of experiential anxiety stimuli. Despite student ability to practice daily, the study found that mindful meditation was reported to relieve anxiety levels in all 10 participants. Furthermore, association with LGBTQ+ community was reported to be a significant factor in the student daily lives. Given the results, more research would be suggested to better understand the impact on anxiety in urban studies with comparison to individuals identifying as LQBTQ+ and those who do not. However, it is without question that mindful meditation and other similar modalities will continue to show positive results in at-risk populations and should be considered in the conversation at all future interactions to begin stimulating open communication about mental health disparities.

Identifier

SC 11.DNP.2022.Pequignot.M

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