Mindfulness Meditation

Effects of Mindfulness on Psychological Health: A review of empirical studies (Keng et. al., 2011)

Purpose

1. Review the effects of mindfulness on psychological health

2. Overview of the construct of mindfulness

3. Review research

Effects of Mindfulness on Psychological Health: A review of empirical studies (Keng et. al., 2011)

3 areas of research

1. Correlational/cross-sectional studies

2. Mindfulness-oriented intervention research

3. Laboratory-based studies

Effects of Mindfulness on Psychological Health: A review of empirical studies (Keng et. al., 2011)

Constructs

1. Practice of cultivating mindfulness

2. Psychological trait

3. Mode or state of awareness

4. Psychological process

Mindfulness, Kabat-Zinn definition

Process of bringing a certain quality of attention to moment-by-moment experience (Kabat-Zinn, 1994)

Mindfulness, Baer definition

The nonjudgmental observation of the ongoing stream of internal and external stimuli as they arise (Baer, 2003)

Mindfulness, “most complete definition”

A kind of non-elaborative, nonjudgmental, present-centered awareness in which each thought, feeling, or 

sensation that arises in the attentional field is 

acknowledged and accepted as it is

Mindfulness, 2-component model (Bishop, 2004)

1. Self-regulation of attention

2. Adopting a particular orientation toward one’s experiences in the present moment

Process of mindfulness

1. Gain (consciousness)

2. Take (control)

3. Response (vs. react)

How to become mindful

• Practice

• Meditation

• Focus on breath

Effects of Mindfulness on Psychological Health: A review of empirical studies (Keng et. al., 2011)

Types of controlled studies of mindfulness oriented interventions

1. Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Therapy (MBSR)

2. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)

3. Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)

4. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Effects of Mindfulness on Psychological Health: A review of empirical studies (Keng et. al., 2011)

Characteristics of MBSR

• Reduced negative emotional constructs

• Improved positive emotional constrcuts

• Brain changes

Effects of Mindfulness on Psychological Health: A review of empirical studies (Keng et. al., 2011)

Characteristics of MBCT

• Decreased relapse rate, increased time to relapse

• Improved range of symptomatic and psychosocial outcomes among remitted depressed patients

• Better than TAU ("do nothing" treatment) in decreased depressive symptoms among currently depressed patients

Effects of Mindfulness on Psychological Health: A review of empirical studies (Keng et. al., 2011)

Laboratory studies

• Brief mindfulness training

• Reduced emotional regulation difficulties

• 2 elements of practice that appeared to showed benefits:

  • Focused awareness

  • Acceptance

• Can have benefits in short time frame (compared to MBSR)

Effects of Mindfulness on Psychological Health: A review of empirical studies (Keng et. al., 2011)

Further research

Examine dose-response relationship