Benefits Of Mindfulness Research Articles

Profiles of mindfulness in cancer patients and associations with psychological outcomes and coping strategies: A person-centered approach.

Previous research confirmed the benefits of mindfulness for cancer patients' psychological well-being, but few studies considered the value of possible distinct combinations of mindfulness skills. This study aimed to (1) identify distinct mindfulness profiles in cancer patients, (2) examine socio-demographic predictors of patients with distinct profiles, and (3) examine associations of mindfulness profiles with psychological outcomes and coping strategies. This cross-sectional study included 245 people with heterogeneous types of cancer. Latent profile analysis was applied to identify distinct profiles of mindfulness. The Bolck-Croon-Hagenaarsmethod was used to examine how mindfulness profiles related to socio-demographic characteristics, psychological outcomes, and coping strategies. Four mindfulness profiles were identified: "average mindfulness" (50%), "judgmentally observing" (20%), "high mindfulness" (15%), and "non-judgmentally aware" (15%). Patients with "high mindfulness" profile tended to have higher educational attainment, and reported better psychological outcomes (i.e., low on depression and negative affect and high on positive affect) as well as better coping strategies (i.e., high positive reappraisal and low rumination). This study confirms the existence of distinct mindfulness profiles in cancer patients and suggest that patients high in mindfulness are the most adaptive.

Mindfulness and remote engagement: research from India shows benefits of mindfulness to boost morale of remote workers

PurposeThis paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.Design/methodology/approachThis briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.FindingsThe authors concluded that mindfulness practice has a positive effect on engagement, boosting morale and raising performance levelsOriginality/valueThe briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format

Benefits of mindfulness in academic settings: trait mindfulness has incremental validity over motivational factors in predicting academic affect, cognition, and behavior

BackgroundAchievement motivation research has established that motivational factors predict academic affect, cognition, and behavior. Recent studies have shown that trait mindfulness might also predict these academic outcomes. However, it remains unclear whether trait mindfulness has incremental validity over motivational factors. We hypothesized that trait mindfulness would explain unique variance in academic outcomes beyond motivational factors, because mindfulness that is characterized by the being mode of mind (i.e., a present-focused, non-striving, and accepting mind mode) would contribute to academic outcomes through unique and effective self-regulatory processes (i.e., bottom-up self-regulation of learning and present-focused, acceptance-based self-regulation of academic stress), which differ from those (i.e., top-down self-regulation of learning and future-focused, change-oriented self-regulation of academic stress) promoted by motivational factors that are characterized by the doing mode of mind (i.e., a goal-oriented, striving, and change-seeking mind mode). We tested the hypothesis by examining four established motivational factors (competence perception, implicit theory of intelligence, achievement goals, and autonomous and controlled academic reasons) and five outcome variables (test anxiety, enjoyment of learning, study strategy, mind-wandering, and help-seeking avoidance) that had been investigated in both the trait mindfulness and achievement motivation literatures.MethodsOne hundred and seventy-five students (104 females) were recruited from undergraduate psychology and cultural studies classes at two universities in Japan. Trait mindfulness was assessed using the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire. The other study variables were assessed using established measures as well. We conducted hierarchical multiple regression analyses to test the hypothesis.ResultsTrait mindfulness predicted four of the five outcome variables (i.e., test anxiety, enjoyment of learning, mind-wandering, and help-seeking avoidance) after controlling for the motivational factors. The acting-with-awareness facet predicted three outcome variables, whereas the other facets predicted one outcome each.ConclusionsThis study supports the incremental validity of trait mindfulness relative to motivational factors, suggesting that not only the doing mode of mind but also the being mode is beneficial for academic learning.

Mindfulness and meditation - Training our spidey-senses for critical qualitative health research

I’ve been training students in mindfulness and meditation for over 10 years. What began as a pedagogical survival tool (for my own mental health) soon emerged as something that was incredibly beneficial to my public health students. Turns out sitting in silence, anchoring ourselves in the present moment, and not doing but instead being, is not only good for your physical, social, and emotional health, it’s a great tool for learning. Students report that closing their eyes and sitting together in meditation fosters trust and compassion and builds a sense of community. These feelings allow them to take risks in their learning, to deeply engage with the material, and to participate openly and creatively in ways that foster real growth. During the pandemic I’ve had time to reflect on what I have observed is another benefit of mindfulness and meditation training – that these practices help students develop important skills – or spidey-senses – that are the superpowers of critical qualitative health researchers. These include the ability to be fully present in our work, to listen deeply, to be curious and non-judgemental, to not be attached to outcomes and what we expect to hear or learn, to come to each study and each participant with ‘beginners mind’, to prioritize different ways of knowing, and to accept when things don’t go according to plan (as they always seem to do in qualitative research). In this presentation I welcome all superhero’s and in particular those interested in developing their own and their students spidey-senses. In our time together I’ll share some of the science on why this practice makes good scientists, demonstrate a practice, and provide some tips for those interested in trying it in their own classrooms. During the pandemic I’ve had time to reflect on what I have observed is another benefit of mindfulness and meditation training – that these practices help students develop really important skills – or spidey-senses – that are the superpowers of critical qualitative health researchers. These include the ability to be fully present in our work, to listen deeply, to be curious and non-judgemental, to not be attached to outcomes and what we expect to hear or learn, to come to each study and each participant with ‘beginners mind’, to prioritize different ways of knowing, and to accept when things don’t go according to plan (as they always seem to do in qualitative research). In this presentation I welcome all superhero’s and in particular those interested in developing their own and their students spidey senses. In our time together I’ll share some of the science on why this practice makes good scientists, demonstrate a practice, and provide some tips for those interested in trying it in their own classrooms.

Equitable Mindfulness: The practice of mindfulness for all.

The benefits of mindfulness are well-documented; however, these benefits may not be evenly distributed across communities. Equitable Mindfulness aims to make these benefits accessible to a wider and more inclusive audience. The aim of this study was to investigate the applicability of Equitable Mindfulness and systemic barriers that prevent mindfulness programs from being equitably accessed across communities. Twenty-one participants were recruited for qualitative in-depth interviews during a 2-day mindfulness conference. The constant comparison method was used to iteratively identify and categorize themes that emerged within and across interviews. Five dominant themes emerged from the data as follows: inherent equitability, accessibility, inclusiveness, awareness and knowledge-sharing, and acknowledgement of multiple perspectives. Having an applicable and meaningful term to use when describing mindfulness as an inclusive and equitable practice can facilitate the exploration of a new area of research. There is a need for future initiatives aimed at making mindfulness trainings and programs more equitable and accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, or abilities/disabilities.

Contemplative practice, acceptance, and healing in moral injury

Moral injury is a soul struggle for many veterans. It includes a deep sense of regret, shame, and division within themselves due to morally injurious events. Spiritual practices like Centering Prayer are complementary disciplines that help veterans heal from moral injury and process embedded trauma, guilt, and shame. Contemplative practices can help with acceptance of difficult emotions and thoughts connected to past moral injury and help veterans refocus on values that are part of their community, faith, and social backgrounds. At the Loveland VA, a group of veterans are following the guidelines outlined by Contemplative Outreach for a Centering Prayer practice. The guidelines and the intended outcomes are outlined in this paper and include previously researched benefits of mindfulness and meditation-based practices for PTSD, which often co-occurs with moral injury. Veterans’ feedback from both in-person and online versions of the Centering Prayer group are included in the paper. While encouraged as an individual discipline, veterans are also encouraged to practice Centering Prayer within groups at the VA or in the community for deeper inter-relational healing and trust. Veteran peer supports provide links to Contemplative Prayer outreach groups as well as AA groups in the community. As a mindfulness-based spiritual practice with Judeo-Christian roots, Centering Prayer is a powerful addition to a chaplaincy program that promotes whole health healing and growth.

Brain functional changes associated with mindfulness training-related improvement in asthma control

Psychological stress contributes to an increase in asthma symptoms and a decrease in disease control, and can impact treatment efficacy. Interventions designed to reduce stress and improve emotion regulation, such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), have shown benefit in reducing stress-related inflammation and may be effective for asthma management. As a psychological intervention, the benefits of mindfulness in reducing inflammation must be mediated via its impact on brain function, yet we know little about these underlying neural mechanisms.

The benefits of mindfulness in mental healthcare professionals

Background: Burnout is a widely reported syndrome consisting of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a lowered sense of accomplishment. Mindfulness practices have been shown to be useful in lowering distress and burnout in clinical and non-clinical cohorts. Our aim was to explore the potential personal and occupational benefits of a structured mindfulness intervention on a cohort of mental health professionals. A mixed-methods approach was utilised in order to enhance the exploratory power of the study. Methods: We conducted a pilot study involving healthcare practitioners employed at a community outpatient mental health clinic. As a pilot, we relied on a single group and implemented a quasi-experimental, simultaneous mixed methods design by incorporating both quantitative pre- and post- testing alongside written qualitative post-test responses. Results: Analysis of the data demonstrated a significant difference between overall mindfulness when comparing post-test (mean=140.8, standard deviation=18.9) with pre-test data (mean=128.3, standard deviation=28.6). Participants also showed a statistically significant difference in three of the subscales: observation, describing, and non-reactivity. A moderate effect size was seen for each of the above differences.Analysis of the qualitative data revealed a range of potential themes which may be used to explain the differences exhibited across participants' personal and professional lives, which can be grouped into two thematic overarching groups: emotional reactivity and listening/communicating. Conclusions: The results of this pilot study indicate that a structured, six-week mindfulness program has the potential to benefit clinicians, personally by reducing emotional reactivity and professionally by promoting deep listening and communication.

Does Mindfulness Moderate the Link of Worry About COVID-19 With Adjustment? An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model Approach.

ObjectivesCOVID-19 constitutes an unprecedented mental health challenge to the world. At this critical time, it is important to identify factors that may boost individuals’ well-being or render individuals more resistant to the negative impact of COVID-19-related stressors. The goals of this study were to examine whether individuals’ and their partners’ worry about COVID-19 were linked to individuals’ psychological, social, and cognitive adjustment and test individuals’ and their partners’ mindfulness as possible moderators.MethodsCross-sectional, dyadic data were collected from 211 Chinese couples with kindergarten-aged children living in Hong Kong, China, during its fourth major outbreak of COVID-19 (between December 2020 and January 2021). Using paper-and-pencil questionnaires, fathers and mothers independently reported their worry about COVID-19, mindfulness, depressive symptoms, social difficulties, and cognitive problems.ResultsActor-Partner-Interdependence Models revealed that, controlling for individuals’ gender and education levels, individuals’ worry about COVID-19 and mindfulness were positively and negatively associated with their own depressive symptoms, social difficulties, and cognitive problems, respectively. The worry of individuals’ partners was also positively associated with individuals’ depressive symptoms and social difficulties. These associations, however, were only significant when the partners had low but not high levels of mindfulness.ConclusionsOur study highlighted the importance of studying the potential benefits of mindfulness at not only the individual but also the dyadic level.

Trait Mindfulness Is Associated With Less Amyloid, Tau, and Cognitive Decline in Individuals at Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease

BackgroundMindfulness, defined as nonjudgmental awareness of the present moment, has been associated with an array of mental and physical health benefits. Mindfulness may also represent a protective factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here, we tested the potential protective effect of trait mindfulness on cognitive decline and AD pathology in older adults at risk for AD dementia. MethodsMeasures of trait mindfulness, longitudinal cognitive assessments, and amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau positron emission tomography scans were collected in 261 nondemented older adults with a family history of AD dementia from the PREVENT-AD (Pre-symptomatic Evaluation of Experimental or Novel Treatments for AD) observational cohort study. Multivariate partial least squares analyses were used to examine relationships between combinations of different facets of trait mindfulness and 1) cognitive decline, 2) Aβ, and 3) tau. ResultsHigher levels of mindful nonjudgment, describing, and nonreactivity were associated with less cognitive decline in attention, global cognition, and immediate and delayed memory. Higher levels of mindful nonjudgment and nonreactivity were related to less Aβ positron emission tomography signal in bilateral medial and lateral temporoparietal and frontal regions. Higher levels of mindful acting with awareness, describing, nonjudgment, and nonreactivity were associated with less tau positron emission tomography signal in bilateral medial and lateral temporal regions. ConclusionsTrait mindfulness was associated with less cognitive decline and less Aβ and tau in the brain in older adults at risk for AD dementia. Longitudinal studies examining the temporal relationship between trait mindfulness and AD markers, along with mindfulness intervention studies, will be important for further clarifying the potential protective benefits of mindfulness on AD risk.

Christian Mindfulness and Mental Health: Coping through Sacred Traditions and Embodied Awareness

Mindfulness is increasingly implemented as a tool in mental health practice for coping and self-care. Some Christians worry that these practices might be in conflict with their own tradition, while other Christian contexts are reclaiming the contemplative aspects of the faith. Though clinicians are not trained to teach on religious topics and ethically must avoid pushing religion onto clients, conceptualization and research extend the benefits of mindfulness practices for religious clients. This paper will discuss the evidence for using mindfulness in mental health treatment and connect mindfulness to the Christian tradition. The authors explore how intentional awareness and embodiment of the present moment are supported in Christian theology through the incarnation of Jesus and God’s attention of the physical body in the Christian scriptures. The authors also discuss how sacraments and prayer naturally overlap with mindfulness practices for the dual purposes of emotional healing and spiritual growth. To bolster the benefits of mindfulness in the psychological and religious realms, the purpose of this paper is to empower therapists to address client concerns of whether mindfulness is in conflict with Christianity, support clients in expanding current Christian religious coping, and provide Christian leaders with more information about how mindfulness elements are already present in Christian rituals and beliefs.

Impact of Yoga Intervention on Exam Anxiety, Mindfulness, Attention & Memory in School Going Children

Purpose: To present study the impact of yoga intervention on exam anxiety, mindfulness, attention, and memory in school-going children. Methodology: The study started with the camp organized by a Principal of RA. Geeta Sr. Secondary School. The study population was taken from those interested to take part in the one-month yoga intervention on their own will both male and female with the age range of 13 to 15 years. Among the 80 students collected data, 40 subjects attended the one-month yoga intervention program. The intervention included seated mindfulness, breathing, loosening exercises, asana, and relaxation techniques. The pre-data were collected 1st day before the intervention, on the 30th day from the first day of the intervention. Test anxiety, mindfulness, attention & memory test were assessed before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using R-Studio. Findings: Exams were recognised as a big source of concern to many children, and the overall prevalence of exam anxiety shows to be increasing, possibly due to increased exams in schools and pressure of studies. Previous studies have reported the effects of Yoga in school-going children showing physical, cognitive, emotional, memory, attention, and mindfulness benefits. Research limitations: The study was limit to Grade 8&9, 13-15-year-old girls and boys who could do asana. The study excluded those who could not do asana due to physical challenges. Implications: Present outcomes propose that the yoga-based intervention illustrated a positive effect on examination anxiety, mindfulness, attention; and memory in school children. Yoga-based group of participants has shown better confront in exam anxiety, enhance mindfulness, attention; and memory. These yoga practices can be suggested to school-going children for better performance in academics and to attain joyful learning.

College Students Who Are Mindful About Math Achieve Better Grades

AbstractHigh levels of math anxiety combined with low levels of mindfulness may contribute to disproportionate failure rates in introductory college mathematics classes. Although research has confirmed benefits of mindfulness in reducing anxiety and stress, findings have been less clear regarding links between mindfulness and achievement outcomes. The current study used an adapted version of the Five Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire, with items reworded specifically for activities related to math, to investigate roles of both math anxiety and mindfulness on midterm course grades. Undergraduate math students completed a brief test of math skills, and questionnaires about math anxiety, general mindfulness, and mindfulness about math during the first week of the semester. Course grades were collected at midterm. Results revealed that math skills and the act with awareness facet of mindfulness were significantly associated with course grades. Supporting mindful awareness during introductory college math classes may also enhance achievement outcomes.

The comprehensive mindfulness experience: A typological approach to the potential benefits of mindfulness for dealing with motivational conflicts.

The comprehensive mindfulness experience: A typological approach to the potential benefits of mindfulness for dealing with motivational conflicts.

The benefits of mindfulness in mental healthcare professionals

Background: Burnout is a widely reported syndrome consisting of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a lowered sense of accomplishment. Mindfulness practices have been shown to be useful in lowering distress and burnout in clinical and non-clinical cohorts. Our aim was to explore the potential personal and occupational benefits of a structured mindfulness intervention on a cohort of mental health professionals. A mixed-methods approach was utilised in order to enhance the exploratory power of the study. Methods: We conducted a pilot study involving healthcare practitioners employed at a community outpatient mental health clinic. As a pilot, we relied on a single group and implemented a quasi-experimental, simultaneous mixed methods design by incorporating both quantitative pre- and post- testing alongside written qualitative post-test responses. Results: Analysis of the data demonstrated a significant difference between overall mindfulness when comparing post-test (mean=140.8, standard deviation=18.9) with pre-test data (mean=128.3, standard deviation=28.6). Participants also showed a statistically significant difference in three of the subscales: observation, describing, and non-reactivity. A moderate effect size was seen for each of the above differences. Analysis of the qualitative data revealed a range of potential themes which may be used to explain the differences exhibited across participants’ personal and professional lives, which can be grouped into two thematic overarching groups: emotional reactivity and listening/communicating. Conclusions: The results of this pilot study indicate that a structured, six-week mindfulness program has the potential to benefit clinicians, personally by reducing emotional reactivity and professionally by promoting deep listening and communication.

Effectiveness of online cognitive behavioral interventions that include mindfulness for clinically-diagnosed anxiety and depressive disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Online cognitive behavioral interventions that include mindfulness techniques have attracted considerable attention given the demonstrated mental health benefits of mindfulness and the availability of scalable opportunities for increased therapeutic use. However, comparatively little is known about the effectiveness of these types of interventions when they are delivered to clinician-diagnosed populations receiving psychiatric treatment. Aims This review evaluates therapeutic interventions that included a mindfulness component aimed at reducing anxiety and depression symptoms in clinician-diagnosed samples. Methods Randomized control trials (RCTs) published between January 1990 to September 2020 assessing the effects of online cognitive behavioral interventions that include a mindfulness component were searched across five databases (Medline, PsychINFO, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science). Results Eleven studies met inclusion criteria with sample sizes ranging from 37 to 84 per study. Findings revealed an overall statistically significant moderate between-group difference at post-intervention for depression (Hedges’ g = −0.47) and anxiety (Hedges’ g = −0.40) outcomes favoring the online treatment groups. Further analyses revealed larger effect sizes among RCTs employing waitlist control (WLC) comparisons, and reductions in depression symptoms within the intervention groups to be above the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for BDI-II. Conclusions Findings from this meta-analytic review provide preliminary support for including mindfulness practices within existing therapeutic programs to reduce depression and anxiety symptoms in clinician-diagnosed populations. Research implications and priorities for online mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral programming are discussed.

The benefits of mindfulness in mental healthcare professionals.

Background: Burnout is a widely reported syndrome consisting of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a lowered sense of accomplishment. Mindfulness practices have been shown to be useful in lowering distress and burnout in clinical and non-clinical cohorts. Our aim was to explore the potential personal and occupational benefits of a structured mindfulness intervention on a cohort of mental health professionals. A mixed-methods approach was utilised in order to enhance the exploratory power of the study. Methods: We conducted a pilot study involving healthcare practitioners employed at a community outpatient mental health clinic. As a pilot, we relied on a single group and implemented a quasi-experimental, simultaneous mixed methods design by incorporating both quantitative pre- and post- testing alongside written qualitative post-test responses. Results: Analysis of the data demonstrated a significant difference between overall mindfulness when comparing post-test (mean=140.8, standard deviation=18.9) with pre-test data (mean=128.3, standard deviation=28.6). Participants also showed a statistically significant difference in three of the subscales: observation, describing, and non-reactivity. A moderate effect size was seen for each of the above differences.Analysis of the qualitative data revealed a range of potential themes which may be used to explain the differences exhibited across participants' personal and professional lives, which can be grouped into two thematic overarching groups: emotional reactivity and listening/communicating. Conclusions: The results of this pilot study indicate that a structured, six-week mindfulness program has the potential to benefit clinicians, personally by reducing emotional reactivity and professionally by promoting deep listening and communication.

Searching for Significance During a Pandemic: A Muslim Perspective.

The authors in this article seek to describe the importance of keeping one's beliefs and spiritual practices alive during the COVID-19 pandemic from a Muslim perspective, and it considers this challenge in light of the theory of religious coping and the growing literature on the benefits of mindfulness. It provides nurses and other healthcare providers a view into the beliefs and practices of a Muslim-American family and shows how faith practices can help people not only cope but grow in difficult times. Implications for nursing and healthcare are discussed.

Does Dispositional Mindfulness Predict Cardiovascular Reactivity to Emotional Stress in Prehypertension? Latent Growth Curve Analyses from the Serenity Study

Mindfulness stress buffering theory (Creswell & Lindsay, 2014) posits higher dispositional (trait) mindfulness can protect cardiovascular health by buffering physiological stress reactivity - a risk marker for hypertension and cardiac events. Yet, empirical evidence is mixed. This study used baseline data from the Serenity Study - a recently completed, two-site randomized clinical trial - to assess the link between trait mindfulness and cardiovascular stress reactivity in adults with unmedicated prehypertension (n=153, Mage=50, 47% male, 69% White, 28% African-American). Latent growth curve modeling was used to determine whether specific facets of trait mindfulness, measured by the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire and the Decentering subscale of the Experiences Questionnaire, predict blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) responses to a brief laboratory stressor (5-min anger recall task). BP and HR taken 1-min apart were used in latent growth curve models. We hypothesized after controlling for known covariates of cardiovascular health, higher trait mindfulness would predict lower cardiovascular reactivity to, and faster recovery from, acute emotional stress. Contrary to predictions, no mindfulness facets predicted cardiovascular reactivity or recovery. These findings indicate trait mindfulness facets may not independently affect BP and HR responses to acute emotional stress among prehypertensive but otherwise healthy adults with normal stress levels, prior to mindfulness training. Mindfulness-based interventions may therefore be necessary to engender benefits of mindfulness on stress physiology, as a putative biological mechanism of cardiovascular risk reduction and health promotion. NCT02371317, 1/21/2015.

The mindfulness aspects in the teaching of culinary art in vocational high school

This study aims to describe the aspects of mindfulness in the teaching of culinary art in vocational high schools. The aspects of mindfulness in the field of teaching consist of novelty, variety, joyfulness, meaningfulness, and alertness in learning. The benefits of mindfulness are related to the competencies in creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. These competencies are often referred to as the "Four C's" and are considered important competencies in the 21st century. The research variables based on theoretical studies in the fields of education and psychology consist of novelty, variety, joyfulness, meaningfulness, and alertness in learning. The population in this study is productive teachers of the department of culinary art at five vocational high schools in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. The specified sample is 30 teachers. The data were collected using a questionnaire. The validity was measured through product-moment testing, and the reliability was measured using the Cronbach alpha model with the SPSS 16.00 program. The data analysis was done using descriptive analysis. The data were analyzed by calculating the ideal score, mean, and standard deviation and by categorizing the data. The results show that the mindfulness aspect of culinary teaching consists of 1.) Novelty, which is in the good category, with a percentage of 53.33%; 2.) Variation, which is in the good category, with a percentage of 66.67%; 3.) Excitement, which is in the very good category, with a percentage of 60%; 4.) Meaningfulness, which is in the very good category, with a percentage of 76.67%; and 5.) Alertness, which is in the very good category, with a percentage of 70%.