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Testoni I, Palazzo L, Iacona E, Segalla O, Pizzolato L, Rigo M, Ferrari L. Exploring Emotions Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic through Death Education: A Qualitative Study at Italian Primary Schools. Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ 2023; 13:1920-1936. [PMID: 37754478 PMCID: PMC10528353 DOI: 10.3390/ejihpe13090139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of individuals, families, and children worldwide. In Italy, the implementation of measures such as lockdowns and distance learning in schools affected the mental health of children and families. METHODS This article employs a qualitative method to explore the efficacy of a death education project that aimed to help primary school children process the emotions and losses that they experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study encompassed both the children who took part in the death education project and their teachers and parents to investigate their perspectives on the emotions of the minors and the effectiveness of the project. RESULTS Distance learning posed challenges for the learning process and exacerbated social inequalities. The children suffered from limited social contact with their friends and experienced negative emotions, including anger, fear, and concern for the health of their loved ones. The death education project provided a safe space for children's emotional expression and facilitated their acquisition of coping strategies. Open communication between adults and children about illness and death proved effective in mitigating the psychological impacts of loss and preventing traumatic bereavement. CONCLUSION The findings highlight the utility of death education in enhancing children's ability to express their emotions and approach the topic of death more frankly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Testoni
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, 35139 Padova, Italy; (L.P.); (E.I.); (O.S.); (L.P.); (M.R.); (L.F.)
- Emili Sagol Creative Arts Therapies Research Center, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Lorenza Palazzo
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, 35139 Padova, Italy; (L.P.); (E.I.); (O.S.); (L.P.); (M.R.); (L.F.)
| | - Erika Iacona
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, 35139 Padova, Italy; (L.P.); (E.I.); (O.S.); (L.P.); (M.R.); (L.F.)
| | - Ottavia Segalla
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, 35139 Padova, Italy; (L.P.); (E.I.); (O.S.); (L.P.); (M.R.); (L.F.)
| | - Laura Pizzolato
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, 35139 Padova, Italy; (L.P.); (E.I.); (O.S.); (L.P.); (M.R.); (L.F.)
| | - Matteo Rigo
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, 35139 Padova, Italy; (L.P.); (E.I.); (O.S.); (L.P.); (M.R.); (L.F.)
| | - Lea Ferrari
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, 35139 Padova, Italy; (L.P.); (E.I.); (O.S.); (L.P.); (M.R.); (L.F.)
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Shainy MR, Tamarana R. The Taos and Trait Meta-mood on Transpersonal Gratitude: Tracing Their Influences. PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDIES 2023; 68:247-255. [PMID: 36844984 PMCID: PMC9943044 DOI: 10.1007/s12646-023-00716-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The mainstream empirical research has always viewed gratitude in its triadic form involving a typical human giver, gift, and receiver. But it is not the same in the case of transpersonal gratitude. Instead, it is directed towards abstract entities beyond self like God, their own state of being, or the cosmos. The previous literature had affirmed that a selfless attitude and better mood could determine overall gratitude. But this relation is not mainly known in the context of this newer form of gratitude. Indian young adults (N = 456) completed scales on transpersonal gratitude, trait meta-mood, and ego-grasping orientation-a Taoist concept. The preliminary analysis revealed that the selfless nature was unrelated to transpersonal gratitude. Subsequently, the predictive effect of trait meta-mood on transpersonal gratitude is quantified. The findings explain the distinguishable features of the young adults' populace and positive transpersonal experiences. The need to identify groups, cultural differences, and the utility of interventions on transpersonal gratitude in the future gratitude research is emphasised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munna R. Shainy
- Department of Psychology, CHRIST (Deemed to be) University, Bengaluru, 560076 India
| | - Rameshbabu Tamarana
- Department of Psychology, CHRIST (Deemed to be) University, Bengaluru, 560076 India
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Bringmann HC, Bringmann N, Jeitler M, Brunnhuber S, Michalsen A, Sedlmeier P. Meditation-Based Lifestyle Modification: Development of an Integrative Mind-Body Program for Mental Health and Human Flourishing. Complement Med Res 2020; 28:252-262. [PMID: 33285545 DOI: 10.1159/000512333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Mental disorders are a core health challenge in the 21st century. Integrative mental health care takes an individual, lifestyle-modifying, salutogenic approach, combining somatic, psychosocial, and spiritual perspectives from evidence-based conventional and complementary medicine. In particular, meditation and mindfulness have received growing research interest in the last decade. In this article, we present Meditation-Based Lifestyle Modification (MBLM), a new, complex mind-body intervention for mental health care. It is the first program to intensify meditation practice using classical yoga. The program (a) covers all areas of classical yoga, (b) considers ethical and spiritual aspects of daily life, (c) orients participants toward sustained lifestyle modification, and (d) is applicable in a clinical context. The scientific rationale of the program is outlined in this article, based on the Criteria for Reporting the Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions in Healthcare. Further research is planned to show the clinical feasibility of MBLM and evaluate its efficacy, processes of change, and cost-effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holger Carl Bringmann
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology, and Health Economics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany, .,Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, Diakonie Kliniken Zschadraß, Colditz, Germany,
| | - Nicole Bringmann
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, Diakonie Kliniken Zschadraß, Colditz, Germany
| | - Michael Jeitler
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology, and Health Economics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine, Immanuel Hospital, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Brunnhuber
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, Diakonie Kliniken Zschadraß, Colditz, Germany
| | - Andreas Michalsen
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology, and Health Economics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine, Immanuel Hospital, Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Sedlmeier
- Institute of Psychology, Chemnitz University of Technology, Chemnitz, Germany
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Bringmann HC, Bringmann N, Jeitler M, Brunnhuber S, Michalsen A, Sedlmeier P. Meditation Based Lifestyle Modification (MBLM) in outpatients with mild to moderate depression: A mixed-methods feasibility study. Complement Ther Med 2020; 56:102598. [PMID: 33212169 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Integrative mental health care can be applied to treat depression with a person-centered, lifestyle-modifying, and more salutogenic approach to mental health and human flourishing. In this article, we report on the feasibility and acceptability of a new mind-body program, Meditation Based Lifestyle Modification (MBLM), in outpatients with mild or moderate depression. METHODS This is a single-arm mixed-methods feasibility study of n = 25 outpatients in psychiatric care. Depressive symptoms, scores for mindfulness, aspects of spirituality, and eudaemonic well-being based on yoga philosophy were assessed at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Adherence was monitored and face-to-face interviews were held after the program to explore the acceptability and feasibility of MBLM. RESULTS Twenty patients (75 %) completed at least six sessions of the course. Adherence was 87.5 % of allocated sessions. In qualitative analysis, more than half of the participants experienced novelty and inspiration through practicing the ethical aspects of yoga (e.g., nonviolence, truthfulness, etc.). Almost all participants experienced a decrease in emotional distress. Virtually all participants reported more self-confidence and self-acceptance. In quantitative analysis, participants reported a clinically important decrease in depressive symptoms of 39.23 % (p = .002), eudaemonic well-being increased significantly in a range of related scales and scores for mindfulness increased (p < .001). CONCLUSION MBLM is a highly acceptable and feasible program for outpatients with mild to moderate depression. This comprehensive, lifestyle-modifying approach is highly relevant to preventing and treating mental illness, and treating psychic comorbidities in patients with chronic somatic illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holger C Bringmann
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health; Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Diakoniekliniken Zschadrass, Colditz, Germany.
| | - Nicole Bringmann
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Diakoniekliniken Zschadrass, Colditz, Germany
| | - Michael Jeitler
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health; Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine, Immanuel Hospital Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Brunnhuber
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Diakoniekliniken Zschadrass, Colditz, Germany
| | - Andreas Michalsen
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health; Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine, Immanuel Hospital Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Sedlmeier
- Institute of Psychology, Chemnitz University of Technology, Chemnitz, Germany
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Kristeller JL, Jordan KD. Mindful Eating: Connecting With the Wise Self, the Spiritual Self. Front Psychol 2018; 9:1271. [PMID: 30154740 PMCID: PMC6102380 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In the Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Training program (MB-EAT) (Kristeller and Wolever, 2014; Kristeller and Wolever, in press), mindfulness practice is taught, mindful eating is cultivated, and self-acceptance and spiritual well-being are enhanced. An integrative concept is the value of cultivating ‘wisdom’ in regard to creating a new and sustainable relationship to eating and food. ‘Wisdom’ refers to drawing on personal experience and understanding in a flexible, insightful manner, rather than strictly following external rules and guidelines. Several clinical trials involving variations of MB-EAT have documented substantive improvement in how people relate to their eating, including individuals with both binge eating disorder (BED) and subclinical eating issues. Based on the traditional value of contemplative practices for cultivating spiritual engagement, and on evidence from related research showing that spiritual well-being increases in the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program and is related to other effects, we hypothesized that the MB-EAT program would also engage this aspect of experience, as assessed by the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy – Spiritual Well-Being subscale (FACIT-Sp), and that increases in spiritual well-being would relate to other measures of adjustment such as emotional balance and improvement in disordered eating. Participants (N = 117) with moderate to morbid obesity, including 25.6% with BED, were randomly assigned to MB-EAT or a wait-list control, and assessed on the FACIT-Sp and other measures at baseline, immediate post (IP), and 2-month followup (F/Up). Both FACIT-Sp factors [Meaning/Peace (M/P) and Faith] increased significantly in the MB-EAT group and were stable/decreased in the control group. Increases in these factors related to improvement in emotional adjustment and eating regulation at IP and at F/Up, and to increases in aspects of mindfulness measured by the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). Increases in M/P during treatment mediated effects of the FFMQ Observe factor on eating regulation and depression at IP. Results are discussed in terms of the role that mindfulness practice plays in cultivating ‘wise mind’ and the related value of spirituality. It is argued that the core elements of the MB-EAT program lead to meaningful spiritual engagement, which plays a role in people’s ability to improve and maintain overall self-regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean L Kristeller
- Department of Psychology, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN, United States
| | - Kevin D Jordan
- Department of Psychology, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN, United States
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Oman D, Singh NN. Combining Indian and Western Spiritual Psychology: Applications to Health and Social Renewal. PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDIES 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s12646-016-0362-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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