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Rivera CE, Kaunhoven RJ, Griffith GM. How an Interest in Mindfulness Influences Linguistic Markers in Online Microblogging Discourse. Mindfulness (N Y) 2023; 14:818-829. [PMID: 37090855 PMCID: PMC10020072 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-023-02098-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
Objectives This study aimed to investigate the linguistic markers of an interest in mindfulness. Specifically, it examined whether individuals who follow mindfulness experts on Twitter use different language in their tweets compared to a random sample of Twitter users. This is a first step which may complement commonly used self-report measures of mindfulness with quantifiable behavioural metrics. Method A linguistic analysis examined the association between an interest in mindfulness and linguistic markers in 1.87 million Twitter entries across 19,732 users from two groups, (1) a mindfulness interest group (n = 10,347) comprising followers of five mindfulness experts and (2) a control group (n = 9385) of a random selection of Twitter users. Text analysis software (Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count) was used to analyse linguistic markers associated with the categories and subcategories of mindfulness, affective processes, social orientation, and “being” mode of mind. Results Analyses revealed an association between an interest in mindfulness and lexical choice. Specifically, tweets from the mindfulness interest group contained a significantly higher frequency of markers associated with mindfulness, positive emotion, happiness, and social orientation, and a significantly lower frequency of markers associated with negative emotion, past focus, present focus, future focus, family orientation, and friend orientation. Conclusions Results from this study suggest that an interest in mindfulness is associated with more frequent use of certain language markers on Twitter. The analysis opens possible pathways towards developing more naturalistic methods of understanding and assessing mindfulness which may complement self-reporting methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Eugenia Rivera
- Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice, School of Human and Behavioural Sciences, Bangor University, Brigantia Building, Penrallt Road, Bangor, LL57 2AS UK
| | - Rebekah Jane Kaunhoven
- Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice, School of Human and Behavioural Sciences, Bangor University, Brigantia Building, Penrallt Road, Bangor, LL57 2AS UK
| | - Gemma Maria Griffith
- Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice, School of Human and Behavioural Sciences, Bangor University, Brigantia Building, Penrallt Road, Bangor, LL57 2AS UK
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Aldahadha B. Self-disclosure, mindfulness, and their relationships with happiness and well-being. MIDDLE EAST CURRENT PSYCHIATRY 2023. [DOI: 10.1186/s43045-023-00278-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
This study aims to test how self-disclosure relates to mindfulness, whether self-disclosure or mindfulness best predicts happiness and well-being, and whether there are significant differences between happiness and well-being levels due to self-disclosure and mindfulness. Data from a public sample was collected using e-mails and social media platforms (N = 486).
Results
The findings demonstrated a weak relationship between mindfulness and self-disclosure (r = 0.16) and acting with awareness but a strong relationship between happiness, wellness, mindfulness, and its factors. The results revealed four values that predict the differentiation between happy and unhappy people, and these values are statistically significant, namely, mindfulness, description, acceptance without judgment, and self-disclosure, as well as four values that predict the distinction between being well and unwell, namely mindfulness, observation, description, and self-disclosure. Additionally, results showed significant differences in the means of each of the mindfulness predictor variables in favor of happiness, wellness, and females. For the self-disclosure variable, the results showed differences in its means favoring females, happiness, and wellness. Finally, when controlling for gender and age, regression analyses found mindfulness to be an important predictor for happiness and well-being at 59% and 48% of the variance, respectively, while self-disclosure was a weak predictor at 12% and 15%, respectively.
Conclusions
In general, the results indicate that mindfulness is more effective and beneficial for living a happy and healthy life than self-disclosure
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Reyes AT, Cross CL, Manzano ERM. The Moderating Role of Resilience on Mindfulness, Experiential Avoidance, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms of College Student Veterans: A Cross-Sectional Study. Issues Ment Health Nurs 2022; 43:721-729. [PMID: 35285759 DOI: 10.1080/01612840.2022.2051104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to investigate the moderating effect of resilience on the relationship between mindfulness, experiential avoidance, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity. A cross-sectional study design was used on a sample of 133 college student military veterans. We found a direct effect of mindfulness on PTSD and a significant mediating effect of experiential avoidance on the relationship between mindfulness and PTSD. Resilience also had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between mindfulness and PTSD. This study provides preliminary evidence on the usefulness of integrating resilience development in mindfulness-based interventions for trauma-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chad L Cross
- School of Public Health, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
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4
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Levis M, Levis A. Contrasting narratives: a randomised control study comparing Conflict Analysis and narrative disclosure. BRITISH JOURNAL OF GUIDANCE & COUNSELLING 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/03069885.2021.1970111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell Levis
- White River Junction VA Medical Center, Hartford, VT, USA
- Psychiatry Department, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
- Museum of the Creative Process, Manchester, VT, USA
| | - Albert Levis
- Museum of the Creative Process, Manchester, VT, USA
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The impact of narrative writing on empathy, perspective-taking, and attitude: Two randomized controlled experiments on violations of Covid-19 protection regulations. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254501. [PMID: 34252122 PMCID: PMC8274912 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Two randomized controlled experiments investigated if writing a narrative text about a fictional person who shows disapproved of behavior in the Covid-19 pandemic influenced empathy, perspective-taking, attitude, and attribution of causes regarding that person’s behavior. Methods In both studies, a fictional scenario was described, and participants answered questions regarding empathy, perspective-taking, attitude, and attribution regarding a fictional person’s disapproved of behavior (pre-post-measurement). Participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions. In the experimental condition, they wrote a narrative text about the fictional person. In the control condition, they wrote about an unrelated topic. Results We found that writing a narrative text increased empathy more strongly than writing about an unrelated topic; Study 1: p = 0.004, part.η2 = 0.06, Study 2: p < .001, part.η2 = 0.19. This did not apply to perspective-taking; Study 1: p = 0.415; Study 2: p = 0.074. We also found that writing a narrative text about a fictional person resulted in a more positive attitude toward this person; Study 1: p = 0.005, part.η2 = 0.06; Study 2: p<0.001, part.η2 = 0.10. Finally, in Study 2 we found that participants who wrote a narrative text attributed the person’s behavior to internal causes to a lesser degree; p = 0.007, part.η2 = 0.05. Conclusion Our findings indicate that empathy and attitude are positively modifiable through narrative writing tasks. Empathy training could potentially prevent discrimination related to Covid-19. Trial registration The studies presented in this article were pre-registered on the pre-registration platform AsPredicted (aspredicted.org) before we began data collection; registration numbers and URL: #44754 https://aspredicted.org/vx37t.pdf (Study 1), and #44753 https://aspredicted.org/ig7kq.pdf (Study 2).
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Schaeuffele C, Knaevelsrud C, Renneberg B, Boettcher J. Psychometric Properties of the German Brief Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (BEAQ). Assessment 2021; 29:1406-1421. [PMID: 34044602 DOI: 10.1177/10731911211010955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The Brief Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (BEAQ) is a 15-item short form of the Multidimensional Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire. This study aimed to investigate psychometric properties of a German translation of the BEAQ in a student and a clinical population. The BEAQ showed high internal reliability and overall acceptable convergent and discriminant validity. The BEAQ displayed adequate 7- to 13-day test-retest reliability and captured changes in experiential avoidance when experiential avoidance was targeted in treatment. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that a bifactor structure where the BEAQ is modeled as one general and five specific factors that correspond to the Multidimensional Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire subscales fit the data adequately. All items (except Item 1 in the clinical population) loaded on the general factor and common variance was approximately equally spread across the general and specific factors. The Distress Endurance subscale was not included in this model, since it is represented by only one item, which showed poor performances and low associations to the BEAQ's total score in both samples. We recommend further research into the BEAQ's factor structure to substantiate our preliminary findings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Johanna Boettcher
- Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Psychologische Hochschule Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Williamson J, Blackhart GC. Efficacy of Guided Versus Self-Induced Learning of Web-Based Self-Compassionate Journaling by College Students. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.5406/amerjpsyc.134.1.0045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
We conducted 3 studies examining the efficacy of web-based self-compassionate journaling (SCJ). The goal was to compare the effects of guided and self-administered journaling on self-reported follow-up self-compassion scores and participant perceptions of the induction. In Study 1 participants were randomly assigned to an online SCJ exercise, online narrative journaling control group, or attention control (AC) group, with groups completing tasks for 4 weeks. In Study 2 participants self-selected into either online or in-lab conditions to complete a single-time SCJ exercise. Study 3 was a replication of Study 2, with participants being randomly assigned to conditions. There were no differences in self-compassion between groups in Study 1. However, there was a small but significant overall increase in self-compassion among participants from baseline to follow-up. There were self-compassion differences between online and in-lab groups in Study 2 (with a small effect size). However, these differences were not maintained when the covariate of baseline trait self-compassion was removed from analyses. Study 3 failed to replicate significant findings from Study 2 in all but one variable: whether participants completing the induction alone found the task more difficult to complete. In general, SCJ may not be an adequate way to increase self-compassion regardless of whether it is learned online or in a laboratory setting. Furthermore, those who learn SCJ alone online report difficulty in completing the induction.
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Payne JE, Chambers R, Liknaitzky P. Combining Psychedelic and Mindfulness Interventions: Synergies to Inform Clinical Practice. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2021; 4:416-423. [PMID: 33860171 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.1c00034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Psychedelic and mindfulness interventions have been shown to improve mental ill-health and wellbeing, with a range of clinical processes and effects in common. However, each appear to contain specific challenges in the context of mental health treatment. In this Perspective, we focus on a set of distinct affordances, "useful differences", within psychedelic and mindfulness interventions that might address common challenges within the other intervention. Accordingly, we propose a set of applied synergies, indicating specific ways in which these two promising interventions might be combined for greater benefit. Metaphorically, on the journey toward mental health and wellbeing, we propose that psychedelic treatments may serve the role of Compass (initiating, motivating, and steering the course of mindfulness practice), with mindfulness interventions serving the role of Vehicle (integrating, deepening, generalizing, and maintaining the novel perspectives and motivation instigated by psychedelic experience). We outline a set of testable hypotheses and future research associated with the synergistic action of psychedelic and mindfulness interventions toward improved clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake E Payne
- Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria 3122, Australia
| | - Richard Chambers
- Mindfulness Programs, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Paul Liknaitzky
- Turner Institute, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia.,Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
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Davis PA, Gustafsson H, Callow N, Woodman T. Written Emotional Disclosure Can Promote Athletes' Mental Health and Performance Readiness During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Psychol 2020; 11:599925. [PMID: 33329269 PMCID: PMC7728796 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.599925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The widespread effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have negatively impacted upon many athletes’ mental health and increased reports of depression as well as symptoms of anxiety. Disruptions to training and competition schedules can induce athletes’ emotional distress, while concomitant government-imposed restrictions (e.g., social isolation, quarantines) reduce the availability of athletes’ social and emotional support. Written Emotional Disclosure (WED) has been used extensively in a variety of settings with diverse populations as a means to promote emotional processing. The expressive writing protocol has been used to a limited extent in the context of sport and predominantly in support of athletes’ emotional processing during injury rehabilitation. We propose that WED offers an evidence-based treatment that can promote athletes’ mental health and support their return to competition. Research exploring the efficacy of the expressive writing protocol highlights a number of theoretical models underpinning the positive effects of WED; we outline how each of these potential mechanisms can address the multidimensional complexity of the challenging circumstances arising from the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., loss of earnings, returning to training and competition). Considerations and strategies for using WED to support athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A Davis
- Department of Psychology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Henrik Gustafsson
- Department of Health Sciences, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden.,Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nichola Callow
- School of Sport, Health, and Exercise Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, United Kingdom
| | - Tim Woodman
- School of Sport, Health, and Exercise Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, United Kingdom
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10
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Sabo Mordechay D, Nir B, Eviatar Z. Expressive writing - Who is it good for? Individual differences in the improvement of mental health resulting from expressive writing. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2019; 37:115-121. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2019.101064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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11
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Xia T, Hu H, Seritan AL, Eisendrath S. The Many Roads to Mindfulness: A Review of Nonmindfulness-Based Interventions that Increase Mindfulness. J Altern Complement Med 2019; 25:874-889. [PMID: 31241348 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2019.0137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have become increasingly popular for treating various physical and mental disorders. An increase in mindfulness levels through the teaching of mindfulness meditation is the most well-studied mechanism of MBIs. Recent studies, however, suggest that an increase in mindfulness is also observed in physical or psychosocial interventions not explicitly labeled as MBIs, or what the authors call non-MBIs. The authors aimed to review what non-MBIs can increase mindfulness levels despite not explicitly teaching mindfulness meditation. Design: The authors conducted a literature search for studies that included a non-MBI study arm measuring pre- and postintervention mindfulness levels using one of the following eight validated self-reported mindfulness questionnaires: Five-Faceted Mindfulness Questionnaire, Mindful Awareness and Attention Scale, Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory, Toronto Mindfulness Scale, Philadelphia Mindfulness Scale, Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills, Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure, and Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised. The authors identified 69 non-MBI study arms from 51 independent studies of the non-MBI itself or as active controls of an MBI under investigation. The authors documented or calculated, if not provided, effect sizes (ES) for changes in mindfulness levels following these interventions. Results: Among the 69 non-MBI arms, 36 showed no effect for change in mindfulness (ES <0.20), 3 were indeterminate (no ES available or unable to calculate), 13 had small effects (0.20 < ES <0.5), 13 had medium effects (0.50 < ES <0.80), 3 had large effects (0.80 < ES <1.3), and 1 had a very large effect (ES >1.3) for change in mindfulness. Conclusions: Analysis of the characteristics of non-MBIs with significant increases in mindfulness levels suggested some commonalities between MBIs and non-MBIs, shedding light on a spectrum of mindfulness-related interventions and the possibility that there are many roads to developing mindfulness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Xia
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Hiroe Hu
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Touro University California, Vallejo, CA.,Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco School of Nursing, San Francisco, CA
| | - Andreea L Seritan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA.,Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Stuart Eisendrath
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA.,Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
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Stabbe OK, Rolffs JL, Rogge RD. Flexibly and/or inflexibly embracing life: Identifying fundamental approaches to life with latent profile analyses on the dimensions of the Hexaflex model. JOURNAL OF CONTEXTUAL BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcbs.2019.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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13
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Abstract
Despite the apparent benefits of being mindful, people are often not very mindful. There seem to be forces that drive people toward as well as away from mindfulness. These forces are conceptualised in terms of competition for scarce attentional resources. To explore these forces and to test this framework, an experience sampling study was performed among people with an explicit intention to be mindful and an ongoing practice to examine concurrent associations between state mindfulness and daily life experiences that may affect it. Participants (N = 29, 1012 observations) filled out questions on momentary experiences at semi-random intervals, five times a day, over a period of 7 to 10 days. Predictors of within-person variations in awareness of Present Moment Experience (PME) and non-reactivity to PME were examined using multilevel analyses. Participants were more aware of PME when they had an activated intention to be mindful and when they felt good, and not very busy or hurried, and were not involved in social interaction. They were more reactive to PME when they experienced unpleasant affect, and when they were hurried or tired. An activated intention to be mindful was also associated with an increased tendency to analyse PME. Experiencing threat was associated with increased reactivity, but not with decreased awareness. Our study generally supports the idea that competition for attention can be a fruitful framework to describe mechanisms behind being or not being mindful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Suelmann
- 1Faculteit Psychologie en Onderwijswetenschappen, Open Universiteit NL, Postbus 2960, 6401DL Heerlen, The Netherlands
| | - André Brouwers
- 1Faculteit Psychologie en Onderwijswetenschappen, Open Universiteit NL, Postbus 2960, 6401DL Heerlen, The Netherlands
| | - Evelien Snippe
- 2Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion regulation, Unversity of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Viardot C, Rizzi AT, Lachal J, Moro MR. Groupe d’écriture thérapeutique pour patients hospitalisés dans une maison des adolescents. PSYCHIATRIE DE L ENFANT 2016. [DOI: 10.3917/psye.591.0173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study investigated the effects of written emotional disclosure on a model of chronic pain in healthy women with and without trauma history. METHOD Participants were prescreened for their trauma history (N = 78) and randomized to a disclosure or a control writing condition. Pain testing occurred either 1 day or 1 month after disclosure. Capsaicin was applied to the forearm to evoke spontaneous burning pain at the application site and mechanical secondary hyperalgesia in the surrounding untreated skin. RESULTS As hypothesized, the effect of disclosure on the area and intensity of secondary hyperalgesia depended on trauma history and time of testing (F(1,69) ≥ 7.37, p = .008). Disclosure increased secondary hyperalgesia in participants with trauma history compared with those without trauma when testing occurred 1 day after writing (F(1,69) ≥ 5.27, p ≤ .025), whereas the opposite pattern was observed 1 month later (F(1,69) ≥ 4.88, p ≤ .031). Of the participants with trauma history in the disclosure condition, secondary hyperalgesia was reduced at 1 month compared with 1 day after writing (p = .001). Moreover, greater use of positive emotional words predicted reduced secondary hyperalgesia at 1 month (β = -0.71, p = .022). In contrast, disclosure had no effect on spontaneous pain. CONCLUSIONS Disclosure modulates secondary hyperalgesia observed in women with trauma history, producing a short-term enhancement and a long-term reduction. This suggests that disclosure has a long-term protective effect that reduces sensitization of pain, which may explain the therapeutic effects of disclosure in patients with chronic pain.
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Choi K, Vickers K, Tassone A. Trait Emotional Intelligence, Anxiety Sensitivity, and Experiential Avoidance in Stress Reactivity and Their Improvement Through Psychological Methods. EUROPES JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2014. [DOI: 10.5964/ejop.v10i2.754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Stress pervades daily society, often with deleterious consequences for those prone to react intensely to it. Intervention techniques to attenuate stress reactivity are thus paramount. With that goal in mind, researchers have sought to identify and alter malleable psychological dispositional variables that influence stress reactivity. Trait emotional intelligence (TEI), anxiety sensitivity (AS), and experiential avoidance (EA) are increasingly receiving attention in these research efforts. The self-reported emotional component of stress reactivity has been emphasized in investigations and is our focus. Specifically, this paper overviews the role of TEI, AS, and EA in self-reported stress responses. We also discuss empirically supported psychological methods to adjust suboptimal levels of these variables in normal populations. Both psycho-educational (information, skills) and mindfulness-based interventions (specific mindfulness therapies or components) are covered. Findings include that (1) TEI, AS, and EA are each correlated with the emotional component of stress reactivity to both naturalistic and lab-based stressors; (2) preliminary support currently exists for psycho-educational intervention of TEI and AS but is lacking for EA; (3) adequate evidence supports mindfulness-based interventions to target EA, with very limited but encouraging findings suggesting mindfulness methods improve TEI and AS; and (4) although more research is needed, stress management approaches based on mindfulness may well target all three of these psychological variables and thus appear particularly promising. Encouragingly, some methods to modify dispositional variables (e.g., a mindfulness-based format of guided self-help) are easily disseminated and potentially applicable to the general public.
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Les effets de l’écriture expressive sur la santé physique et psychologique des rédacteurs : un bilan, des perspectives de recherches. EUROPEAN REVIEW OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY-REVUE EUROPEENNE DE PSYCHOLOGIE APPLIQUEE 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.erap.2010.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Chiesa A, Calati R, Serretti A. Does mindfulness training improve cognitive abilities? A systematic review of neuropsychological findings. Clin Psychol Rev 2010; 31:449-64. [PMID: 21183265 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2010.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 561] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2010] [Revised: 08/29/2010] [Accepted: 11/04/2010] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Mindfulness meditation practices (MMPs) are a subgroup of meditation practices which are receiving growing attention. The present paper reviews current evidence about the effects of MMPs on objective measures of cognitive functions. Five databases were searched. Twenty three studies providing measures of attention, memory, executive functions and further miscellaneous measures of cognition were included. Fifteen were controlled or randomized controlled studies and 8 were case-control studies. Overall, reviewed studies suggested that early phases of mindfulness training, which are more concerned with the development of focused attention, could be associated with significant improvements in selective and executive attention whereas the following phases, which are characterized by an open monitoring of internal and external stimuli, could be mainly associated with improved unfocused sustained attention abilities. Additionally, MMPs could enhance working memory capacity and some executive functions. However, many of the included studies show methodological limitations and negative results have been reported as well, plausibly reflecting differences in study design, study duration and patients' populations. Accordingly, even though findings here reviewed provided preliminary evidence suggesting that MMPs could enhance cognitive functions, available evidence should be considered with caution and further high quality studies investigating more standardized mindfulness meditation programs are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Chiesa
- Institute of Psychiatry, University of Bologna, Viale Carlo Pepoli 5, Bologna, Italy.
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Moore SD, Brody LR. Linguistic Predictors of Mindfulness in Written Self-Disclosure Narratives. JOURNAL OF LANGUAGE AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2009; 28:281-296. [PMID: 27134331 PMCID: PMC4847735 DOI: 10.1177/0261927x09335264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated whether relative changes in cognitive, emotion, temporal, and self-reference word frequencies in repeated narratives predicted improvements in mindfulness skills (i.e., nonjudgmental acceptance of present-moment experiences, observing and describing present stimuli, and acting with awareness) subsequent to narrative self-disclosure. Participants wrote repeated narratives of traumatic or daily events over 3 days. Mindfulness was assessed at baseline and 4 to 8 weeks posttask. Results indicated that relative increases in cognitive processing words (among traumatic events participants and women in both conditions) and present tense words (among all participants) significantly predicted increases in nonjudgmental acceptance, describing, or overall mindfulness. Increases in present tense words appeared to partially mediate the higher mindfulness outcomes of participants writing about daily events when compared with those writing about trauma. The findings suggest that linguistic changes in self-disclosure narratives are associated with improvements in specific mindfulness skills.
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