Definition Of Mindfulness Research Articles

Development and Validation of the Japanese Version of the Langer Mindfulness Scale

AbstractMeasures for meditative mindfulness have been developed and validated. However, relatively little attention is paid to a socio‐cognitive definition of mindfulness, also known as Langerian mindfulness. Socio‐cognitive mindfulness is an indispensable perspective for studying mindfulness within a social context. In this research, we conducted one pilot and two formal studies online, with a total of 831 Japanese participants, to develop and validate the Japanese version of the Langer Mindfulness Scale (LMS‐J). In the pilot study, we confirm the dimensionality via exploratory factor analysis. In Study 1, confirmatory factor analysis and test–retest reliability based on a 4‐week interval were performed. In Study 2, convergent and discriminant validity were tested by examining the relationships between Langerian and meditative mindfulness, Big Five personality traits, and life satisfaction. Overall, the results suggest that the factor structure of the LMS‐J is similar to its original version, and the LMS‐J is a reliable and valid measure. Therefore, the LMS‐J can be used to measure Langerian mindfulness in the Japanese population, especially for research in individual development within a social context.

Dynamic processes of mindfulness-based alterations in pain perception.

Mindfulness-based processes have been shown to enhance attention and related behavioral responses, including analgesia, which is discussed as an effective method in the context of pain interventions. In the present review, we introduce the construct of mindfulness, delineating the concepts, factors, and processes that are summarized under this term and might serve as relevant components of the underlying mechanistic pathways in the field of pain. We also discuss how differences in factors such as definitions of mindfulness, study design, and strategies in mindfulness-based attention direction may need to be considered when putting the findings from previous studies into a whole framework. In doing so, we capitalize on a potential dynamic process model of mindfulness-based analgesia. In this respect, the so-called mindfulness-based analgesia may initially result from improved cognitive regulation strategies, while at later stages of effects may be driven by a reduction of interference between both cognitive and affective factors. With increasing mindfulness practice, pathways and mechanisms of mindfulness analgesia may change dynamically, which could result from adaptive coping. This is underlined by the fact that the neural mechanism of mindfulness analgesia is manifested as increased activation in the ACC and aINS at the beginner level while increased activation in the pINS and reduced activation in the lPFC at the expert level.

Mindfulness and Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: An Umbrella Review.

Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMSP) disorders are a leading cause of disability globally, affectingup to one in three people. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) have become a popular treatment for CMSP. The aim of this umbrella review was to synthesise the best available research evidence for the effectiveness of MBI for adults with CMSP. Eight databases were searched from inception to 30th June 2021 for systematic reviews that examined the use of MBI in CMSP (pain experienced >3 months) in adult populations. Two reviewers independently conducted screening and selection, data extraction, and assessment of methodological quality using The Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews tool (AMSTAR 2). Outcomes examined were pain, sleep quality, depression, quality of life, physical functioning, and mindfulness. Furthermore, definitions of mindfulness, and intervention parameters (mindfulness practices used, length, frequency of sessions, duration) were also reported. Nineteen systematic reviews (n = 1 rated high quality, n = 1 moderate quality, n = 2 low quality and n = 15 critically low quality) examining 194 primary studies met the review criteria. Although some promising evidence was identified for the use of MBI in CMSP, the general low quality and widespread heterogeneity of included SRs and made it difficult to reach a definitive conclusion. Differences in results and outcomes amongst systematic reviews that, in many cases, had a high overlap of included RCTs, suggests fundamental differences in critical design elements that make data difficult to compare. This umbrella review found mixed results on the effectiveness of MBI for the management of CMSP across a range of outcomes (pain, sleep quality, depression, quality of life, physical functioning, mindfulness). Definitions of MBI varied as did parameters, which may have contributed to these mixed results. More rigorous research with stringent MBI protocols is required.

Mapping the mindfulness: An literature Review of mindfulness in educational field

Abstract This study presents an overview of the literature of mindfulness in education, which is based on the definition of mindfulness, and accompanying key terms, and the philosophy and practices it involves. The review includes a survey of Buddhism, Eastern and Western mindfulness traditions. This literature review gathers the thinking of scholars on the importance of mindfulness and its beneficial practices—particularly in Western contexts—including mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and related therapies. The literature review is also a motivator in the use of mindfulness because it reveals its proven role in both helping career professionals and reducing stress for students by reducing the psychological and physical distress inherent in work and personal lives or students’ academic lives.

Can the Communication Discipline Critically Engage with Mindfulness?

Questions arose at the 2018 Western States Communication Association conference as to whether mindfulness is necessarily a depoliticizing trend in the communication discipline or whether a critical or radical version can be useful for scholar-activists from marginalized locations. A nuanced definition of mindfulness, one that assumes some kind of sustained mindfulness practice, is offered. The definition allows space for or even requires and expects work toward social justice. Although the discipline has been slow to study or consider mindfulness, the essays that follow here explore whether and how mindfulness can be a useful addition to the discipline.

Explaining the criteria of being present and psychological well-being in natural recreational spaces of Tabriz

بسیاری از پژوهش‌های حوزة سلامت روان نشان می‌دهند حالت ذهنی انسان به میزان زیادی فاقد آگاهی است؛ به این معنا که انسان‌ها بیشتر اوقات یا غرق در خاطرات گذشته‌اند یا دربارة آینده رؤیاپردازی می‌کنند و کمتر از حضور در زمان حال لذت می‌برند. روان‌شناسان علوم محیطی با تلفیق چند مفهوم کلیدی ازجمله تأکید بر تجربة حضور، لذت از زندگی در زمان حال و نقشی که این موضوع در ارتقای سلامت روانی شهروندان دارد، مفهوم جدیدی را با عنوان «ذهن‌آگاهی» مطرح کرده‌اند. هدف اصلی پژوهش حاضر، تبیین معیارهایی است که از احساس و زبان شهروندان دربارة تجربه، لذت حضور و ذهن‌آگاهی در محیط‌های تفرجگاهی استخراج شده است. در راستای اهداف تعریف‌شده، از مراجعان به دو فضای تفرجگاهی طبیعی ایل‌گولی و عونبن علی تبریز نمونه‌گیری و مصاحبة هدفمند انجام و با تحلیل محتوای کیفی، کدهای لازم استخراج شد. این کدها در ادامه به 6 مقولة اصلی (معیار) و 18 زیرمقوله (زیرمعیار) تبدیل شدند. صحت مدل استخراج‌شده با تکنیک تحلیل عاملی تأییدی آزموده شد. در انتها با بهره‌مندی از آرای خبرگان در حوزة شهرسازی و طراحی محیطی و استفاده از تکنیک تحلیل سلسله‌مراتبی، معیارها و زیرمعیارهای مدل وزن‌بندی شد. نتایج این پژوهش نشان می‌دهد احساس آرامش در محیط طبیعی، مؤثرترین معیار به‌منظور القای حس ذهن‌آگاهی و تجربة لذت‌بخش از حضور در این فضاست؛ در حالی که معیارهای زیبایی طبیعت، صمیمیت، عظمت و شکوه، سرزندگی و درنهایت معنویت و امکان کشف محیط در رتبه‌های بعدی اهمیت قرار دارند. گفتنی است معیارها و زیرمعیارهای استخراج‌شده از مدل ذهن‌آگاهی در محیط‌های طبیعی، گذشته از کاربرد برای ارزیابی کیفیت دیگر محیط‌های طبیعی و مصنوع، به برنامه‌ریزان، طراحان و مجریان مناظر طبیعی در ارتقای طرح‌های پیشنهادی و اجرایی مناظر طبیعی کمک شایانی می‌کنند.

An adapted Delphi approach: The use of an expert panel to operationally define non-judgment of internal experiences as it relates to mindfulness

ObjectivesThere are several definitions of mindfulness throughout the literature, many of which suggest an attitude of non-judgmental awareness. However, the concept of “non-judgment” itself has not previously been systematically operationally defined. Our purpose was to use an expert panel to generate an operational definition of non-judgment of internal experiences, as it relates to mindfulness, to be used to inform the development of an implicit measure of the construct. DesignWe utilized an adapted Delphi survey method consisting of three survey rounds. SettingWe employed in-person and online survey methods. ResultsWe used three survey rounds with an adapted Delphi approach. Expert review panelists consisted of 18 mindfulness researchers or clinicians. Each round of survey results was assessed and discussed among the core team. A consensus was reached among the core team for an operational definition of non-judgment of internal experiences: “acknowledging our thoughts, feelings, and sensations, as they are, without applying valence (e.g., good, bad, right, wrong) to them.” ConclusionsAn expert panel review process informed the generation of an operational definition of non-judgment of internal experiences. Our operational definition provides a foundation for the future development of an implicit task of non-judgment of internal experiences, with the aim of using this task to assess change in response to mindfulness-based treatments. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic definition of non-judgment of internal experiences within the mindfulness literature.

Mindfulness: An effective technique for various psychological problems

Mindfulness recently has gained its popularity amongst therapeutic researchers and practitioners. As a part of therapy sessions, mindfulness highlights the urgency of the relationship between therapists and clients as this factor can strongly predict the therapeutic outcomes. This article will discuss issue and several mindfulness-related aspects. The remainder will be organised into six sections, including: the definition of mindfulness, the importance of relationship in mindfulness, measurement the outcomes of mindfulnes, several mindfulness-based therapies, the benefits of mindfulness from various empirical studies, summarising the presented explanations and offering suggestions for future research. Researchers and practitioners have developed various mindfulness-based therapies. It also imply the practice of counseling. Counseling with mindfulness-based can effectively help people who suffer from various psychological problems, ranging from anxiety disorders to trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder. Nevertheless, it warrants further research to overcome the current research flaws, such as the number of sample size, methodological procedures, and replicated findings.

A Model for the Formation of the Person-centered Dental Care Provider

Dental education continues to emphasize scientific knowledge and technical skills, yet research reveals that what matters most to patients is how we communicate and relate to them. How do we teach trainees communication and relational skills and continue to cultivate these skills throughout clinical practice? A comprehensive model for the formation of the patient-centered dental provider is proposed and is represented by the metaphor of a tree. The model is the fruit of interviews with dental patients, observation of dental professionals, and review of literature on patient-centered care, patient satisfaction and malpractice trends. Six core relational skills include: Introduce, Solicit, Listen, Empathize, Explain, and Power of the patient (ISLEEP) and are represented by the branches of the tree. Discerning how to respond to a patient, how to apply the ISLEEP skills, moment by moment, requires being present with a kind intention, the definition of mindfulness. Mindfulness practices, represented by water, cultivate the roots of the tree which are the four aspects of mindfulness: Equanimity, Attentiveness, Self-awareness, and Empathy (E.A.S.E). Rooted in mindfulness, the dental care provider responds with intelligent and kind action, or whole person care, enriching both patient and provider.

Principals perspectives of mindfulness for leadership and equity structured

The current study sought to explore principals' perspectives of definitions and uses of mindfulness in their leadership and equity practices. The primary researcher observed and interviewed 11 school principals using qualitative methods during the course of this study. Four themes developed from principals' definitions of mindfulness: 1) awareness and attention; 2) present centredness; 3) modelling listening and respect; 4) decision-making processes. The principals' actions also presented ethical mindedness in their equity pursuits and reflection in their general leadership practices, despite establishing the presence of a stigma around mindfulness. Beyond the limitations of qualitative research towards generalisability, implications from this work include the need for an education-centric definition of mindfulness in educational leadership. This first study to explore principals' definitions of mindfulness in leadership and equity practices offers a potential definition based on the findings: mindfulness in educational leadership is the practice of using awareness, attention, present-centredness, and reflection in leadership and equity practices inclusive of decision-making and modelling listening and respect. This original definition holds significant value for work that aims to bridge the research-to-practice gap in education by allowing for a conceptualisation of mindfulness based on practitioner perspectives.

Mindfulness in Surgery.

In the past 20 years, interest in mindfulness and its cultivation through various meditative practices has increased astronomically. This is reflected in the popularity of mindfulness training programs, its ever-widening exposure in popular culture, and in the number of scientific articles published on the topic. With the recent focus on burnout in the medical profession and reports of high levels of anxiety and depression among residents and staff physicians, the potential applications of mindfulness are becoming increasingly apparent in the hospital setting. Mindfulness meditation may be particularly useful for surgeons because they are required to maintain their presence of mind and mental focus in the setting of challenging physical and mental tasks. Furthermore, personality traits such as perfectionism and intensity, which may have facilitated success in the competitive environment of medical school and residency training, may later manifest as intolerance and impatience, contributing to frustration and anger. A mindfulness meditation practice may help reduce the tendency to react to these emotions, yet still allow surgeons to remain motivated to excel. This article provides a definition of mindfulness and describes its introduction to Western culture. The connection of a regular meditation practice to improvements in focus and performance are reviewed. The potential benefits of mindfulness training to a surgical career are discussed, and an approach to introducing mindfulness and meditation to individual surgeons and surgical departments is outlined. We hypothesize that the introduction of department-wide training programs in mindfulness and meditation could benefit surgeons with regard to technical performance, empathy toward patients, academic productivity, and general life and career satisfaction.

Quieting the mind: aspects of neuroscience in reconciliation

The reconciliation of conflicting parties by the mediator has to deal with high levels of emotional arousal. She or he has to lower these levels for reconciliation to succeed. In this paper two approaches to accomplish this and to quiet the mind are presented, a Buddhist one (anapanasati) and a Western one (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, commonly known as MBSR). In order for the mediator to comprehend emotional arousal and the practices of quieting the mind, some underlying aspects of neuroscience are discussed, specifically, the prefrontal cortex and the limbic system. In contrast to mindfulness-based stress reduction, anapanasati, in its definition of mindfulness as well as in its practice, seems compatible with neuroscience. Recommendations are made to the mediator to facilitate the process of reconciliation.

A Mixed Methods Approach to Understanding Conceptions of Mindfulness Meditation

Background: Mindfulness meditation (MM) is an increasing area of interest for health professionals and the general public alike. Beneficial outcomes are associated with this practice; however, definitions of mindfulness and meditation are varied, and anecdotal accounts suggest that people hold misconceptions about the constructs. Furthermore, mindfulness has been incorporated into therapeutic modalities without much consideration for context, including the client’s previous experiences with and understanding of MM. To date, only one research article [1] has been published on the layman conceptions of MM. Research has yet to establish if misconceptions exist; and, if they do, how prevalent these misconceptions are in varied samples. To examine the discrepancies between popular views of MM and research, 479 college students were surveyed. Methods: Attitudes and beliefs toward MM were assessed via a series of open-ended questions and vignettes, with self-report questionnaires assessing religion and spirituality, trait mindfulness, barriers to practicing meditation, avoidance and acceptance, values, and demographic variables. A mixed methods (deductive qualitative analytic and quantitative) approach based on several common misconceptions from practitioners and personal experiences with misconceptions (e.g., emphases on religious and cultural factors; using meditation as a means of control) was used to study the social phenomenon of participants’ conceptions of MM. Results: Several key themes emerged from the data. As examples, approximately 96% of the sample said MM was about relaxation and over half described it as a strictly religious practice. Conclusions: A number of misconceptions about mindfulness exist and this may have implications for mindfulness-based treatments. Study limitations and future directions are discussed.

Mindfulness and Critical Thinking: Why Should Mindfulness Be the Foundation of the Educational Process?

Teaching critical thinking to pupils and students stands as one of the most crucial goals of education. The existing professional literature offers a wide range of definitions for critical thinking along with a variety of perspectives on the topic. The same can also be said of the approaches that a teacher should use to encourage pupils to think critically. Such a variety is undoubtedly desired as it opens up new questions and breeds the necessity for further inquiry. At the same time, it is vital that we constantly build upon and deepen the concept of critical thinking in accordance with modern day requirements and general development. Regardless of the universal consensus on what critical thinking is and how to approach it, it is necessary, at least to some extent, to develop a relatively conceptual consistency among teachers though it seems neither possible nor logical. This article deals with establishing the connection between critical thinking and mindfulness, which is presented as the foundation or condition upon which it is possible to develop critical thinking abilities. Numerous definitions of mindfulness from professional literature have been included for this very purpose as well as the many parallels between mindfulness and critical thinking. The article describes mindfulness, not as a new concept only appearing in the present day, but as a strategy reaching deep into the past all the way to, among others, ancient Greece. In the final phase of the article, mindfulness is outlined as a strategy that offers the power to build upon the critical thinking that we are familiar with today while also providing additional contemporary content.

Mapping Mindfulness-based Performance

In this paper, I report on the University of Huddersfield's Mindfulness and Performance Project (MAP)2, outlining the field of practice that the project was designed to profile, and exploring some of the implications of what we might call 'mindfulness-based performance'. Framing this work within the context of the growing literature on clinical and therapeutic 'mindfulness-based interventions' I explore definitions of mindfulness, and consider how contemplative science might influence and guide emergent work in the theatre. Noting the emergence of a new discipline of Contemplative Studies, I also suggest that mindfulness-based performance has a significant role to play in current research and practice regarding mindfulness applications in the broader culture.

The Application of Mindfulness for Individuals Living with HIV in South Africa: a Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Pilot Study

Despite the recent growth of mindfulness research worldwide, there remains little research examining the application of mindfulness-based interventions in resource-limited, international settings. This study examined the application of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for HIV-infected individuals in South Africa, where rates of HIV are highest in the world. Mixed methods were used to examine the following over a three-month follow up: (1) feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary adaptation of MBSR for this new context; and (2) effects of MBSR on immune functioning, self-reported mindfulness (MAAS, FFMQ), depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS-21). Ten individuals initiated MBSR, and seven completed all eight sessions. Results indicated medium effect size improvements in immune functioning (CD4 count and t-cell count; d = .5) through the three-month follow up, though the small sample size limited power to detect a statistically significant effect. From baseline to post-treatment, improvements in "Observing" and "Non-reactivity" (FFMQ) approached statistical significance with large effect sizes (observing: d = 1.5; p = .08; non-reactivity: d = .7; p = .07). There were no statistically significant changes in depression, anxiety, or stress throughout the study period. Primary areas for adaptation of MBSR included emphasis on informal practice, ways to create "space" without much privacy, and ways to concretize the concepts and definitions of mindfulness. Feedback from participants can shape future adaptations to MBSR for this and similar populations. Findings provide preliminary evidence regarding the implementation of MBSR for individuals living with HIV in South Africa. A future randomized clinical trial with a larger sample size is warranted.

Mindfulness in educational context – theory, research and practice

This article is a short overview of mindfulness training in groups of children and adolescents. It starts with considering the needs of this specific intervention technique. In the next part it tries to discuss the definition of mindfulness, its cognitive mechanism and results of empirical research. In the last paragraphs the article shows examples of mindfulness training for children with practical suggestions for teaching mindfulness as well as the pedagogical role of mindfulness.

Mindfulness-based Therapy in Modern Psychology: Convergence and Divergence from Early Buddhist Thought

This article offers a comparative analysis on mindfulness from mindfulness-based therapies in the contemporary literature and from Buddhist meditation practices in the Pāli Canon. This includes a review of the presiding definitions of mindfulness, recent scientific findings in the literature and the current theories on the underlying mechanisms of mindfulness. The meditation practices from the Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme are compared to the origins of mindfulness of breathing meditations from the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta (MN 10). Further, recent research into the cultivation of skilful states of mind including compassion, self-compassion, loving-kindness, equanimity and sympathetic joy are reviewed and compared to an anthology of texts from the Pāli Canon. Ethical issues emerging from the convergence of science and Buddhist philosophy are also discussed for further consideration.Abbreviations: AN: Aṅguttara Nikāya; BPS: Buddhist Publication Society; Dhp: Dhammapada; Dhs: Dhammasaṅgaṇī; DN: Dīgha Nikāya; Iti: Itivuttaka; MN: Majjhima Nikāya; Miln: Milindapañha; Paṭis: Paṭisambhidāmagga; SN: Saṃyutta Nikāya; Sn: Sutta Nipāta; Ud: Udāna; Vibh: Vibhaṅga; Vim: Vimuttimagga; Vsm: Visuddhimagga

Mindful Attention to Variability Intervention and Successful Pregnancy Outcomes.

Based on a definition of mindfulness as actively noticing novelty (Langer, 1989; Langer, Blank, & Chanowitz, 1978), the present study sought to examine whether mindfulness training (attention to sensation variability) resulted in better childbirth outcomes for both mother and infant. At Weeks 25-30 of pregnancy, mindful instructions to attend to the variability of their positive and negative physical sensations were given to 1 group of participants and compared with 2 control groups (N = 105). The Langer Mindfulness Scale was used to assess the relationship between trait mindfulness and health outcomes. Findings showed that trait mindfulness predicted the well-being of expecting mothers and better neonatal outcomes. Mindfulness training resulted in better health for the expecting mother. Findings suggest that mindfulness without meditation can be easily taught and may enhance the pregnancy experience for mother and fetus.

Land-based spirituality among the Cree of the Mushkegowuk territory

ABSTRACTThis article reports on findings from a research project investigating social, cultural, political, community, and spiritual impacts of a mining development sited in the Mushkegowuk territory of the coastal Cree people of western James Bay. When using a variety of indicators to explore how the negotiated agreement with an industrial proponent (diamond mining) was impacting community members, the threat to cultural lifeways and contingent spirituality as a result of land degradation was expressed by most participants in the study. While mindfulness, as adopted from the Buddhist tradition, denotes a very specific type of practice involving present-moment awareness, the breath, and body sensations, mindfulness in its broader definition refers more generally to a state of keen awareness. Across two phases of this research project, representing qualitative interviews with more than 50 participants, a picture of deep relationship and engagement with the land and its myriad life forms emerged, a picture suggestive of profound awareness, attunement, and reciprocity consistent with the broader definition of mindfulness. It is upon this land-based relationship that spirituality for the Mushkegowuk Cree people relies, and, as expressed by many study participants, the very core of their identity is founded on this form of spirituality.