Healthcare workers worldwide confront high rates of depression and anxiety, suicidal ideation and attempts, low self-esteem, and burnout reported among HCWs. Although mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) show promise in promoting psychosocial wellbeing and flourishing among HCWs, they have not been tested in Southeast Asia. This study proposes to adapt and implement an MBI in Vietnam (Aim 1) and to test its feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness among 104 HCWs in a randomized feasibility trial, using a mixture of survey research (Aim 2) and mobile ecological momentary assessment (EMA; Aim 3). Using human-centered design methods, we will adapt the intervention and mobile EMA app using input from end-users (n = 20). We will then randomize 104 participants to either receive the MBI or be in the wait-list control group. Mental health burden, burnout, dispositional mindfulness, and self-compassion will be assessed before and after the 6-week intervention. Simultaneously, to evaluate the mechanisms through which MBI effects change, we will leverage mobile EMA to understand how emotion/stress reactivity changes before, during, and after the intervention. Results from this study will lay the foundation for a large-scale clinical trial and contribute towards evidence-based interventions to promote wellbeing among HCWs in low-resourced settings like the proposed.
