Potential Benefits of Mindfulness-Based Strength Practice for Individuals With Disabilities in Vocational Rehabilitation Settings

Abstract

Positive psychology has brought us two key tools to support the well-being of individuals: character strengths and mindfulness. Character strengths, or the positive characteristics that make up who a person is, can be utilized to build awareness on identity and ability. Character strengths interventions have been researched for several decades, with newer utilizations in rehabilitation settings. Similarly, mindfulness, while originating centuries ago, has found modern uses in vocational settings. Mindfulness, defined as the ability to maintain attention in an intentional way, has been scientifically shown to improve well-being. These two interventions have recently been combined within Mindfulness-Based Strength Practice (MBSP; Niemiec, 2014). This intervention focuses on character strengths and mindfulness in a combined format and has shown preliminary evidence for benefit in a variety of settings. This paper explores MBSP and proposes its potential benefits in vocational rehabilitation settings, along with additional research implications and considerations for practice.