Mindful Awareness Research Articles

Mindfulness and inhibitory control: Insights from the stop signal task with neutral and reward-associated stimuli.

Mindfulness has been linked to enhanced inhibitory control, yet the dynamics of this relationship, especially in reward situations, are not well understood. Our cross-sectional study aimed to explore the relationship between trait mindfulness and a performance measure of inhibitory control as a function of reward context operationalized by stimuli characteristics, and temporal inhibitory demands. Thirty-six individuals aged 19 to 41 filled out the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) and performed a stop signal task (SST), that included both neutral (stone images) and reward-related (money images) stimuli. The SST encompassed four conditions: neutral go/neutral stop, neutral go/reward stop, reward go/neutral stop, and reward go/reward stop, requiring participants to suppress reactions either during or after encountering reward-related stimuli. The relevant index of inhibitory control is the stop signal reaction time (SSRT), a performance measure of inhibitory control. Our findings showed no notable variation in the relationship between the MAAS score and SSRT across the different conditions. However, there was an overall significant effect of MAAS score on SSRT, irrespective of condition. Results may reflect the benefit of mindfulness on inhibitory control after generalized reward exposure.

A cross-sectional study on smartphone use and mindfulness among undergraduate medical students of a medical college in Kolkata

Background: Nowadays, increasing use of smart phone has led to smart phone addiction. Even medical students are inadvertently using these devices for non-academic purposes. Excessive smart phone use can impact mindfulness, which, in turn, can hamper patient care. Aims and Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the smart phone usage and mindfulness among Undergraduate Medical Students of a Medical College, Kolkata. Materials and Methods: An observational study and cross-sectional in design was conducted from October 01, 2022, to December 12, 2022, among 423 undergraduate medical students of a medical college in Kolkata selected by simple random sampling technique using a pre-designed pre-tested structured questionnaire (containing mindful attention awareness scale). Besides, assessment of Digital Wellbeing and Parental Control application was done. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Office Excel 2019 and SPSSv25. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to represent the data. Results: Over 80% participants were using their smart phones excessively and 52.5% students were unmindful. YouTube (26.9%) was the maximally used application. The participants spent 360 min/day on smart phone on an average. Being a male had a higher odd of excessive smart phone usage. Hostel residents were more mindful than others. Duration of smart phone use had a positive relation with mindfulness (Spearman’s rho 0.108, P=0.026). Conclusion: The participants spent a major portion of the day in front of smart phone screens. Smartphone use had a positive impact on mindfulness. By setting boundaries, that is, limiting daily usage in websites and apps, smart phone use can be reduced.

Feasibility and effectiveness study of applying a hallucinogen harm reduction and integration model to a mindfulness thinking intervention using virtual reality: A randomized controlled trial.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a virtual reality (VR) program designed and developed based on the hallucinogenic harm reduction and integration (PHRI) clinical model could be more effective in guiding positive thinking training, improving positive thinking awareness and ability, and, to some extent, facilitating personal efficacy and emotional state compared to a traditional VR program that places users in a virtual natural ecological environment to guide positive thinking training. We also sought to understand the factors that may influence the effectiveness of VR interventions and user experience. Seventy-six randomly recruited participants were divided into a control group and an experimental group of 38 participants, each according to a random number table, and were trained in VR meditation for eight weeks. The experimental group used a PHRI-based mindfulness program, while the control group used a traditional mindfulness meditation program. We used The Mindful Attention Awareness Scale and the PAD emotional three-dimensional scale to assess the level of state mindfulness and changes in the emotional state before and at the end of the experiment. The Immersive Tendencies Questionnaire measured the user's sense of presence and immersion in the virtual environment. The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaires and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) were used at the baseline assessment stage before and at the 4-week follow-up after the experiment to assess the change in trait mindfulness levels due to the mindfulness training. The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaires and the DASS-21 were used to assess changes in mindfulness and mental health trait levels. At the end of the experiment, the MMSQ score was significantly lower in the control group than in the experimental group, while the ITQ score was significantly higher than in the experimental group, and both scores were statistically significant (p < 0.05). In the follow-up assessment four weeks after the end of the experiment, the FFMQ-15 score and the DASS-21 were significantly and statistically higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Since the scores of the PAD scale did not obey a normal distribution, we used the Wilcoxon signed-rank test to assess the results, which proved that the experimental group had higher levels of emotional activation and arousal. The VR positive thinking program developed based on PHRI can significantly increase the positive thinking state and emotional arousal and activation of the general population participants but does not directly lead to the growth of positive emotions. Moreover, this detached psychedelic scene brings users a weaker sense of presence and presence than traditional natural space scenes. Furthermore, it does not bring any intense simulator motion sickness symptoms. These findings suggest that VR programs developed based on PHRI have a more positive facilitation effect on the positive state and that this increase lasts longer than conventional VR-positive programs.

Mindfulness, Psychological Well-being, Social Media Use, and Internet Use Time among Adolescents: A Structural Equation Modeling

Objective: Psychological well-being is a concept associated with mindfulness and the use of social media. Limited information is available in the literature on the nature of this relationship and the underlying intermediary mechanisms. We also aimed to determine the mediator role of social media use and time spent online in the association between mindfulness and psychological well-being. &#x0D; Method: This study included 429 teenagers. Data was collected through introductory information form, social media use scale, psychological well-being scale, and mindful attention awareness scale. Structural equation modeling method was used in the analysis of the data. &#x0D; Results: A significant positive correlation was found between mindfulness and psychological well-being, and a significant negative correlation was found between mindfulness and time spent online. Social media use did not play a mediator’s role in the correlation between mindfulness and psychological well-being, while the daily time spent online played a mediator’s role. &#x0D; Conclusion: As mindfulness increases in adolescents, psychological well-being increases and the time spent on the internet decreases. While the use of social media does not have a mediating role in the relationship between mindfulness and psychological well-being, the time spent on the internet has a mediating effect. Future research should be conducted with different groups and variables on the impact of social media use on psychological well-being and mindfulness.

The Development of Motorcycle Accident Models Based on Riders’ Characters

Human errors have commonly been perceived as the dominant cause of accidents. Different individuals may behave differently towards certain situations, leading to accidents. This study aims to model the relationship between the riders’ personalities, riding performance, and the probability of being involved in an accident. Adding mindfulness as a mediating variable and demographic factors as moderating variables are also essential points to developing the model. The Big Five Inventory (BFI) and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) were used to measure the respondents' traits, while the Honda Riding Trainer (HRT) was used as a simulation tool. The Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) analysis shows that only the neuroticism variable significantly predicts mindfulness and riding performance. The openness and conscientiousness variables only significantly predicted mindfulness, while agreeableness is the only Big Five personality that significantly predicted riding performance. The results also show that although the mindfulness (M) variable in this study has not been able to become a mediating variable, it is strong enough as an exogenous variable for riding performance. The logistic regression analysis found that the worse the rider's performance, the greater the chance of an accident. Female riders are more than twice as likely to have an accident as male riders. These results indicate the need to research road safety that is differentiated by sex and its characteristics based on it. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-SP2023-09-018 Full Text: PDF

A roadmap to address stress in graduate students: How to develop and disseminate a student-led single-session evidence based intervention

Objective: This manuscript describes an evidence-based, student-led, single-session group intervention to support emotional wellbeing among graduate students. The present objective is to provide a roadmap for other universities. Participants: Key participants include clinical psychology graduate students (leader and workshop facilitators), faculty supervisor, representatives from receiving departments or schools, and institutional advocates. Methods: The two-hour workshop was based on four core transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral skills, including psychoeducation about emotions, mindful emotional awareness, cognitive flexibility, and behavior change. The workshop was designed and continues to be led by trained graduate students. Results: Key steps and lessons learned are presented for the exploration, preparation, implementation, and sustainment phases. Conclusions: This program has the potential to be flexibly replicated at other universities to assist with graduate student mental health. It provides unique supports for recipients and unique training opportunities for student facilitators.

SELF-COMPASSION, DAILY STRESS APPRAISALS, AND ODDS OF ELDER ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN DEMENTIA FAMILY CAREGIVING

Abstract Stress related to behavioral symptoms is often found to be a risk factor for elder abuse and neglect in dementia family caregiving. The stress-process model suggests that stressful events alone do not determine caregiving outcomes, rather, they are impacted by personal factors which influence the response to stress. Self-compassion represents how one responds to themselves in moments of distress, with compassionate self-responding consisting of treating oneself with self-kindness (vs. judgement), feelings of common humanity (vs. isolation), and mindful awareness (vs. overidentification). Self-compassion is a modifiable intervention target with efficacious interventions available. We hypothesize that self-compassion can buffer the effects of daily stress on a caregiver’s likelihood of using abusive and neglectful behaviors. To test this hypothesis, a generalized linear mixed model with days (n=9513) nested in dementia family caregivers (N=453) was used. Self-compassion was measured at baseline with the Self-Compassion Scale – Short Form, and daily stress appraisal of behavioral symptoms and occurrences of elder abuse and neglect were measured on 21 sequential daily diary surveys. Having higher self-compassion reduced the likelihood of a caregiver using abusive and neglectful behaviors on a given day by 40% (p=0.001, CI 0.45-0.80). Daily stress appraisal of behavioral symptoms significantly increased the odds of abuse and neglect (OR 1.05, CI 1.02-1.09, p=0.002), while the interaction term showed self-compassion significantly lowered the effect of daily stress (OR 1.01, CI 1-1.02, p=0.029). Given the large effect size, self-compassion should be a priority area for future interventions to reduce elder abuse and neglect in dementia family caregiving.

Work Productivity Among Younger Breast Cancer Survivors: The Impact of Behavioral Interventions for Depression

ObjectivesThe Pathways to Wellness randomized controlled trial found that 2 behavioral interventions, mindfulness awareness practices and survivorship education, reduced depressive symptoms in younger breast cancer survivors (BCSs) compared with wait-list control. This secondary analysis examines whether the interventions led to reduced loss of work productivity among younger BCSs and whether such reductions were mediated by reductions in depressive symptoms. MethodsThe Work Productivity and Activity Impairment scale was used to measure work productivity loss at 4 assessment time points. Correlates of productivity loss at enrollment were examined using multivariable linear regression. Differences in change over time in productivity loss between each intervention group and control were assessed using linear mixed models. Reduced depressive symptoms were tested as a mediator of reduced productivity loss. ResultsOf 247 trial participants, 199 were employed and included in the analyses. At enrollment, higher productivity loss was associated with chemotherapy receipt (P = .003), younger age (P = .021), more severe cognitive problems (P = .002), higher musculoskeletal pain severity (P = .002), more depressive symptoms (P = .016), and higher fatigue severity (P = .033). The mindfulness intervention led to significantly less productivity loss compared with control at all 3 postintervention assessment points (all P < .05), with about 54% of the effect mediated by reduction in depressive symptoms. Survivorship education was not associated with reduced loss of productivity. ConclusionsThese findings suggest that addressing depressive symptoms through behavioral interventions, such as mindfulness, may mitigate impacts on work productivity in younger BCSs.

Impact of an online training tool on individual and organizational resilience and mindfulness among radiological personnel in Norway

BackgroundHeavy workloads and increasing demands for productivity have contributed to rising rates of stress and burnout among radiological staff. Different forms of mindfulness and resilience-training might assist with stress management and protect these employees against burnout.AimThe objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of an online training tool on individual and organizational resilience, mindfulness and quality of care.MethodsAn online questionnaire was used, consisting of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, the Benchmark Resilience Tool, and questions pertaining to quality, safety, and burnout (baseline = 68 participants between July 2022 - October 2022, follow-up = 13 participants between November 2022 - February 2023). Descriptive statistics and a paired-sampled t-test were used for statistical analysis.Results and conclusionsFew participants reported completing any of the exercises. The baseline group had significantly higher mean resilience (p = 0.018) and mindfulness scores (p = < 0.001), mean decrease in scores was 7.46 for resilience and 1.7 for mindfulness. In conclusion, both individual and organizational resilience are perceived as low among radiological personnel in Norway. However, it does not seem to affect quality and safety.

Psychometric Properties of the Polish Version of the Mindful Self-Care Scale-Standard

ObjectivesThe Mindful Self-Care Scale-Standard (MSCS-Standard) is a 33-item self-report questionnaire that assesses mindfulness practices in six self-care domains: (1) physical care, (2) mindful relaxation, (3) supportive structure, (4) supportive relationships, (5) mindful awareness, and (6) self-compassion and purpose. The study aimed to validate the Polish version of the MSCS-Standard.MethodThe study was performed on a sample of 774 people (646 females, 122 males, and 6 non-binary) aged 18–76 (M = 28.49, SD = 10.81). The factor structure was verified with confirmatory factor analysis. Convergent and divergent validity were assessed based on the relationship between the MSCS-Standard scores and markers of alexithymia, anxiety, depression, stress, and somatic symptoms as well as life satisfaction. We examined discriminant validity by conducting a second-order exploratory factor analysis of MSCS-Standard subscales, alexithymia traits, anxiety, depression, stress, and somatic symptoms.ResultsOur results indicated a good factorial validity, conforming to the intended 6-factor structure (χ2/df = 1352.38/477; CFI = 0.912; RMSEA = 0.051 [90% CI: 0.048; 0.055]; SRMR = 0.064). As expected, all MSCS-Standard subscales correlated in expected directions with markers of alexithymia, anxiety, depression, stress, and somatic symptoms as well as with life satisfaction. The MSCS-Standard showed a good discriminant validity in terms of measuring mindfulness practices construct that was separable from people’s current levels of alexithymia, negative affect and somatic symptoms. Internal consistency reliability was also good.ConclusionsOverall, the Polish version of the MSCS-Standard appears to have satisfactory psychometric properties.PreregistrationThis study is not preregistered.

Relation between Mindfulness Awareness and Internet Gaming Addictive Behavior among Suez Canal University Students.

Relation between Mindfulness Awareness and Internet Gaming Addictive Behavior among Suez Canal University Students.

Staff wellbeing interventions and its impact on levels of physical intervention in an inpatient unit for individuals with a learning disability: A feasibility study

There is a strong focus nationally on reducing the use of restrictive intervention to manage behaviours that can be described as challenging in people with a learning disability and/or autism. Research has shown that increased staff wellbeing can result in the reduction of these approaches. This study explored the impact of ongoing weekly wellbeing sessions for staff in an NHS inpatient unit for individuals with a learning disability, autism and associated mental health conditions. Baseline data indicated staff were burnt-out and lacked job satisfaction in some but not all areas, although the participants reported high levels of mindfulness awareness. Post-intervention results suggested that the wellbeing sessions had no effect on staff burn-out, job satisfaction or mindfulness awareness. However, the frequency of the use of physical restraints during this time was also collected and results show a reduction in frequency.

The Effects of Meditation on Test Anxiety Levels Among High School Students

Important exams often cause increased test anxiety in high school students, which further negatively affects their learning and academic performance. The practice of mindfulness meditation guides one to focus on the present moment, allowing them to calm their mind and concentrate at the same time. Although several studies have previously been done on meditation, mental health, and test anxiety, there has been no research that specifically examines the effect of meditation on reducing test anxiety for high school students. This study analyzes the effects of meditation on mindfulness and test anxiety among students in two honors (accelerated) Algebra 2 classes (n = 60). Over the course of two weeks leading up to the final exam, all students followed a guided meditation program, requiring them to practice five-minutes of meditation during every class period and every night before they went to sleep. A pre-post survey design was adapted from the Mindfulness Attention and Awareness Scale, Westside Test Anxiety Scale Validation, and the Test Anxiety Inventory for Children and Adolescents. After participating in the meditation program, 75% of all the results comparing the pre-meditation survey to the post-meditation survey depicted significance (p ≤ 0.05). These results reveal that there was a significant improvement in the students’ mindfulness, as well as a significant reduction in test anxiety. Furthermore, those who meditated both in-class and before-bed tended to exhibit better and more significant results than those who only meditated in-class.

Educating psychiatric mental health didactic and clinical nursing students on mindfulness activities utilizing the calm mobile application

Background and aim: Stress can develop when an individual becomes overwhelmed with appointed tasks and nursing students are not exempt from this reaction when experiencing academic pressure. Nursing students can learn appropriate ways to decrease stress through coping strategies. The study aimed to educate nursing students about the coping strategy mindfulness through the utilization of the Calm mobile application (Calm), decreasing stress, and increasing the awareness and utilization of mindfulness.Methods: The purpose of the Quality Improvement (QI) project was to educate nursing students on mindfulness as a coping strategy through supplemental resource videos and the usage of Calm. Students completed a pre-/post-survey modeled after the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale with an addition of three qualitative questions.Results: At the start of the project, 99% of students practiced mindfulness through Calm, 0-15 minutes a week while at the end of the project, 46% of students practiced mindfulness through Calm, 15-60 minutes a week. Pre-project implementation, 19% of students agreed that Calm is useful in the practice of mindfulness while post-project implementation, 44% of students agreed that Calm is useful. A Paired t-test was conducted regarding mindfulness awareness and showed 95% confidence with a pre-mean of 3.2 and a post-mean of 3.6. A difference of 0.4 between both pre-post-means resulting in a significant increase after intervention.Conclusions: The QI project was successful in increasing the awareness and utilization of mindfulness and in educating nursing students about the coping strategy mindfulness which can decrease stress.

Effect of six-week short-duration deep breathing on young adults with chronic ankle instability-a pilot randomized control trial

BackgroundChronic ankle instability (CAI) is the most common injury in youth sports, which leads to psychological stress from doubting their performance. Cost effective and easy to access tool to reduce the stress among this target group are desired. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of adding on intervention with short-duration deep breathing (SDDB) alongside with conventional physiotherapy (CP) among young adults with chronic ankle instability (CAI).MethodsTotal of 30 CAI participants attended physiotherapy, who were randomly assigned into control and experimental groups. The participants in the experimental group received combined intervention (SDDB + CP), and the control group received CP for 6 weeks. The effectiveness of interventions was assessed at 3 intervals with a battery of questionnaires (Visual Analog Score, Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, and Oxford Happiness Questionnaire) at the end of week 3, week 6, and week 12 as follow-up. A two-way repeated measures of ANOVA was applied to report the statistical significance at p < 0.05.ResultsThe results showed a better improvement in pain, balance, happiness, and mindfulness attention among participants in the experimental group, with a significant improvement in mindful attention over the time point as compared to the control group.ConclusionThe findings provide insight into incorporating SDDB additions to the existing CP for better CAI management. Breathing techniques that improve attention and happiness play a vital role in CAI, which recommends the biopsychosocial approach in chronic injury rehabilitation.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials using Clinical Trials Registry under ID number NCT04812158 retrospectively registered on 23/03/2021.

Mindfulness-based therapy improves brain functional network reconfiguration efficiency

Mindfulness-based interventions are showing increasing promise as a treatment for psychological disorders, with improvements in cognition and emotion regulation after intervention. Understanding the changes in functional brain activity and neural plasticity that underlie these benefits from mindfulness interventions is thus of interest in current neuroimaging research. Previous studies have found functional brain changes during resting and task states to be associated with mindfulness both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, particularly in the executive control, default mode and salience networks. However, limited research has combined information from rest and task to study mindfulness-related functional changes in the brain, particularly in the context of intervention studies with active controls. Recent work has found that the reconfiguration efficiency of brain activity patterns between rest and task states is behaviorally relevant in healthy young adults. Thus, we applied this measure to investigate how mindfulness intervention changed functional reconfiguration between rest and a breath-counting task in elderly participants with self-reported sleep difficulties. Improving on previous longitudinal designs, we compared the intervention effects of a mindfulness-based therapy to an active control (sleep hygiene) intervention. We found that mindfulness intervention improved self-reported mindfulness measures and brain functional reconfiguration efficiency in the executive control, default mode and salience networks, though the brain and behavioral changes were not associated with each other. Our findings suggest that neuroplasticity may be induced through regular mindfulness practice, thus bringing the intrinsic functional configuration in participants’ brains closer to a state required for mindful awareness.

Sensory-processing sensitivity as a confounder in the positive relationship between mindful awareness and psychological distress: A theoretical review.

Sensory-processing sensitivity as a confounder in the positive relationship between mindful awareness and psychological distress: A theoretical review.

Supplemental Material for Sensory-Processing Sensitivity as a Confounder in the Positive Relationship Between Mindful Awareness and Psychological Distress: A Theoretical Review

Supplemental Material for Sensory-Processing Sensitivity as a Confounder in the Positive Relationship Between Mindful Awareness and Psychological Distress: A Theoretical Review

Childhood emotional abuse and gamebullying among Chinese youths: The mediating roles of mindfulness and Machiavellianism

This study investigated the relationship between childhood emotional abuse and gamebullying among youths, and the roles of mindfulness and Machiavellianism in that relationship. The study sample comprised 504 Chinese youths (female = 51.2%) who completed the Childhood Emotional Abuse Scale, Gamebullying Scale, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, and Machiavellianism Scale. Path analysis results indicated a history of childhood emotional abuse to predict gamebullying. Mindfulness mediated the relationship with childhood emotional abuse to predict gamebullying to be lower. Machiavellianism mediated the relationship between childhood emotional abuse and gamebullying to be higher. In our sample, demographic variables, including gender and education, did not predict gamebullying. Younger youths had lower levels of gamebullying than older youths. These findings indicate a need to reduce gamebullying among youths with a history of adverse childhood events. Mindfulness healing can be used to lower the negative effects of gamebullying.

A comparative study on anxiety and mindful attention awareness between different levels of competence among badminton players

A comparative study on anxiety and mindful attention awareness between different levels of competence among badminton players