Research has shown that a self-compassion meditation exercise in healthy individuals reduced negative affect, negative cognitions about the self and sympathetic arousal and also enhanced positive emotions and parasympathetic activity (Kirschner, Karl, & Kuyken, 2013). Beneficial effects of self-compassion, i.e., being kind and considerate to one’s self with the acknowledgement that pain cannot always be fixed or solved (Neff, 2003; Gilbert, 2009), for mental health and well-being have been previously demonstrated. This research tested the hypothesis that meditation can also be beneficial for individuals who survived psychological trauma and have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a disorder characterised by elevated physiological arousal and negative post-traumatic cognitions about the self. This study used self-report and physiological measures such as Heart-Rate (HR), Heart-Rate Variability (HRV), and Skin Conductance Level (SCL) in a trauma-exposed sample (N =56) with and without PTSD. It was revealed that both groups show significant meditation-induced reductions in state self-criticism and sympathetic arousal (HR, SCL). However, the study only found the expected pattern of significantly elevated state self-compassion and parasympathetic activation (HRV) induced by a self-compassion meditation in the non-PTSD group. This suggests that, interpreting these findings within Gilbert’s three affect regulatory systems, a single self-compassion meditation was sufficient to reduce threat in all trauma survivors and to activate the safety system in the non-PTSD group but not to initiate safety and connectedness in PTSD patients.

In recent years, kindness-based meditation practices, including loving-kindness meditation (LKM), have gained empirical support for decreasing depression and anxiety symptoms. LKM is defined as the intentional transmission of unselfish kindness toward all beings. It is practiced by contemplating an object of meditation (e.g., self, difficult person) and offering goodwill by silently repeating phrases (e.g., “May you be happy”). Given LKM’s focus on cultivating positive emotional states, researchers have hypothesized that LKM may work by increasing positive affect (PA), promoting cognitive and behavioral flexibility, and reducing negative affect (NA). This study was the first to employ a multiple baseline, single-case design to evaluate the acceptability and clinical efficacy of a brief, individual LKM intervention for individuals (N = 9) with unipolar depressive disorders, social anxiety disorder, or generalized anxiety disorder and low PA. Participants were randomized to a 2-, 4-, or 6-week baseline and completed weekly assessments during baseline, 7 weeks of treatment, and at 1-, 2- and 4-week follow-up. LKM was hypothesized to be acceptable and effective for reducing depression and anxiety symptoms and increasing PA. Secondary hypotheses were that (1) improvements in PA would precede disorder symptom improvement and (2) LKM would lead to improvements in other treatment variables (e.g., NA, anger, mindfulness, affective regulation styles, quality of life, etc.) Results revealed that the study intervention had good feasibility and acceptability. Per visual inspection, LKM led to improvements in principal disorder symptoms for four participants during treatment and five participants at follow-up (three of whom showed clinically reliable change). Contrary to study hypotheses, only one participant demonstrated reliable improvements in PA during treatment. For this participant, increases in PA occurred simultaneously with reductions in depression. Across participants, LKM exerted moderate to large effects on disorder severity, depression and anxiety symptoms, quality of life, mindful nonreactivity, and tolerating affective style. Overall, individuals with principal unipolar depressive disorders showed the strongest response to the study intervention. In summary, this study provided preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of brief, individual LKM for reducing depression and anxiety in a transdiagnostic outpatient sample with low positive affect.

No description available.

Submitted by admin tede (tede@pucgoias.edu.br) on 2018-01-17T11:11:02Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tereza Claudia Camapum Carvalho de Freitas.pdf: 38892234 bytes, checksum: 763a5abcece8fff3b979ddcbbdf8eb24 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-01-17T11:11:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tereza Claudia Camapum Carvalho de Freitas.pdf: 38892234 bytes, checksum: 763a5abcece8fff3b979ddcbbdf8eb24 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-09-23 / Oriental philosophy and psychology have influenced the practices and research in positive and clinical psychology. Mindfulness was found to reduce stress and chronic pain (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction - MBSR); reduce panic and anxiety (MBSR and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy – ACT), help in the treatment of borderline patients (Dialectical Behavior Therapy - DBT) and in the prevention of depressive relapse (Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy - MBCT) amongst other clinical applications. In positive psychology, studies were done on the hypothesis that promotion of positive emotions as love, contentment and compassion using Loving-Kindness-Meditation (LKM) during various months. LKM was found to promote positive emotions that help broaden coping and build resilience in participants. Both mindfulness and LKM involve full attention to the present moment without judging. The intention of this literature research was to construct a theoretical study on: 1 The concept of mindfulness meditation, emphasizing its beneficial effects on meditators; 2 Clinical interventions based on the concept of mindfulness; 3 The concept of LKM and how it can evoke and reinforce positive emotions as an instrument in positive psychology; 4 Clarify how mindfulness and meditation can promote coping and mental health. Finally, based on the analysis of the existing literature, the present study suggests that a broad range of processes is involved in the benefits of meditiation, including increased self conscience; acceptance of experiences, increased positive emotions and the broadening of psychological resources. / A filosofia e psicologia orientais têm influenciado as práticas e os estudos no ocidente nas áreas da psicologia clínica e psicologia positiva. Várias pesquisas demonstram resultados positivos na clínica em relação à redução do estresse e dores crônicas (Mindfulness Based Stress Redution - MBSR); na redução da ansiedade e pânico (Mindfulness Based Stress Redution - MBSR e Acceptance e Commetimet Therapy - ACT). No tratamento de pacientes borderlines (Dialectical Behavior Therapy - DBT) e na prevenção de recaídas na depressão (Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy - MBCT) entre outros. Na psicologia positiva, pesquisas foram realizadas com a hipótese de que seria possível promover emoções positivas seletivas como amor, contentamento e compaixão ao longo de meses utilizando-se Loving- Kindness Meditation (LKM). Esta técnica de meditação demonstrou ser capaz de evocar e incrementar emoções positivas que ajudam a ampliar estratégias de coping. Todavia, Loving- Kindness Meditation se aproxima do conceito de mindfulness quando é considerada uma técnica de atenção plena no momento presente, sem julgamento, mesmo que exista a intencionalidade de evocar pensamentos e emoções pré-determinadas. Com esta pesquisa bibliográfica buscou-se realizar um estudo teórico sobre : 1. O conceito da meditação mindfulness ressaltando os seus efeitos benéficos nos meditantes; 2. Intervenções clínicas baseadas no conceito de mindfulness; 3. O conceito da meditação Loving-Kindness Meditation e como esta é capaz de evocar e reforçar emoções positivas e por isso ser utilizada como ferramenta na psicologia positiva; 4. Elucidar como pode ampliar o coping e promover saúde mental. Em conclusão, a partir da análise da literatura existente, este estudo teórico sugere que um leque de processos está envolvido nos benefícios da meditação, incluindo maior consciência de si, aceitação das experiências, geração de emoções positivas e ampliação de recursos psicológicos.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-27T14:22:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tereza Claudia Camapum Carvalho de Freitas.pdf: 38892234 bytes, checksum: 763a5abcece8fff3b979ddcbbdf8eb24 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-09-23 / Oriental philosophy and psychology have influenced the practices and research in positive and clinical psychology. Mindfulness was found to reduce stress and chronic pain (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction - MBSR); reduce panic and anxiety (MBSR and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ACT), help in the treatment of borderline patients (Dialectical Behavior Therapy - DBT) and in the prevention of depressive relapse (Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy - MBCT) amongst other clinical applications. In positive psychology, studies were done on the hypothesis that promotion of positive emotions as love, contentment and compassion using Loving-Kindness-Meditation (LKM) during various months. LKM was found to promote positive emotions that help broaden coping and build resilience in participants. Both mindfulness and LKM involve full attention to the present moment without judging. The intention of this literature research was to construct a theoretical study on: 1 The concept of mindfulness meditation, emphasizing its beneficial effects on meditators; 2 Clinical interventions based on the concept of mindfulness; 3 The concept of LKM and how it can evoke and reinforce positive emotions as an instrument in positive psychology; 4 Clarify how mindfulness and meditation can promote coping and mental health. Finally, based on the analysis of the existing literature, the present study suggests that a broad range of processes is involved in the benefits of meditiation, including increased self conscience; acceptance of experiences, increased positive emotions and the broadening of psychological resources. / A filosofia e psicologia orientais têm influenciado as práticas e os estudos no ocidente nas áreas da psicologia clínica e psicologia positiva. Várias pesquisas demonstram resultados positivos na clínica em relação à redução do estresse e dores crônicas (Mindfulness Based Stress Redution - MBSR); na redução da ansiedade e pânico (Mindfulness Based Stress Redution - MBSR e Acceptance e Commetimet Therapy - ACT). No tratamento de pacientes borderlines (Dialectical Behavior Therapy - DBT) e na prevenção de recaídas na depressão (Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy - MBCT) entre outros. Na psicologia positiva, pesquisas foram realizadas com a hipótese de que seria possível promover emoções positivas seletivas como amor, contentamento e compaixão ao longo de meses utilizando-se Loving- Kindness Meditation (LKM). Esta técnica de meditação demonstrou ser capaz de evocar e incrementar emoções positivas que ajudam a ampliar estratégias de coping. Todavia, Loving- Kindness Meditation se aproxima do conceito de mindfulness quando é considerada uma técnica de atenção plena no momento presente, sem julgamento, mesmo que exista a intencionalidade de evocar pensamentos e emoções pré-determinadas. Com esta pesquisa bibliográfica buscou-se realizar um estudo teórico sobre : 1. O conceito da meditação mindfulness ressaltando os seus efeitos benéficos nos meditantes; 2. Intervenções clínicas baseadas no conceito de mindfulness; 3. O conceito da meditação Loving-Kindness Meditation e como esta é capaz de evocar e reforçar emoções positivas e por isso ser utilizada como ferramenta na psicologia positiva; 4. Elucidar como pode ampliar o coping e promover saúde mental. Em conclusão, a partir da análise da literatura existente, este estudo teórico sugere que um leque de processos está envolvido nos benefícios da meditação, incluindo maior consciência de si, aceitação das experiências, geração de emoções positivas e ampliação de recursos psicológicos.

Loving-kindness meditation (LKM) has the potential to improve intrapersonal and interpersonal functioning. This unique quality of LKM makes it a desirable candidate for buffering the stress of being social evaluated or socially excluded. Using the Trier Social Stress Test and the Cyberball social exclusion paradigm, the present study investigated the effectiveness of a brief LKM session in buffering against social evaluative and social exclusion stress. Three specific questions were addressed: In what domains can LKM exert positive effects? For whom does it work? And, how does it work? One hundred and thirteen participants (N = 113, 49 men) were randomly assigned to either a 10-minute LKM session or a 10-minute visualization control session. Findings showed that even just 10 minutes of LKM had an immediate relaxing effect as evidenced by increased respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), an index of parasympathetic cardiac control, and decreased respiration rate. In addition, the brief LKM intervention led to greater implicit positivity towards the self relative to the control intervention (p = .052). The brief LKM intervention also protected against some of the negative physiological and psychological effects of social stress. The majority of these effects are moderated by trait social anxiety and pre-meditation mood states (or pre-meditation mood state alone). Contrary to expectation, trait social anxiety alone did not moderate any of the LKM effects. Importantly, receiving a brief session of LKM while not being in a positive mood or being in a negative mood led to iatrogenic physiological and psychological effects. Providing an explanation for one of LKM's effects, findings showed that change in RSA during LKM fully mediated the LKM Intervention x Positive Affect interaction effect on change in post-social-stress RSA. In conclusion, findings of the present study have extended our understanding of LKM and have specific implications for future research and practice.

Literature Review: The current review presents a recent review of the effectiveness of psychological therapies to treat sleep difficulties (such as insomnia and nightmares) in sufferers of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The review also aimed to investigate whether there are differences in the effectiveness of specific psychological therapies to treat sleep disturbances in PTSD, such as between the different types of psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and imagery rehearsal therapy (IRT). Eleven studies were included in the review that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results are presented in tables and a descriptive account is included. The review demonstrates that psychological therapies are effective for the treatment of insomnia and other sleep difficulties such as nightmares. However, firm conclusions cannot be drawn about the effectiveness of different types of psychological therapies as studies predominantly used CBT and only one non-CBT study was included in the review. Comparisons between the effectiveness of different CBT approaches is also not possible as there was a large range of diversity in the study characteristics and also there were only a small number of studies for each intervention, which therefore limits the generalisability of results in the current review. It may be that different CBT interventions such as CBT-I or EERT and IRT may be better suited to treat insomnia and nightmares respectively, but further research needs to be conducted into which of these approaches are beneficial for different PTSD specific sleep difficulties. Empirical Paper: Initial studies demonstrate that self-compassion reduces symptoms of PTSD in Armed Forces Veterans (AFV), however the use of self-compassion approaches in AFV is under-researched. The current study utilised self-report and psychophysiological measures to investigate whether a single self-compassion experimental induction reduced hyperarousal symptoms (PTSD Cluster E symptoms) and increased feelings of social connectedness in AFV. The study hypothesised that there would be a decrease in hyperarousal symptoms and an increase in social connectedness, which would be associated with PTSD severity. Fifty-three AFV who had been deployed to a combat zone took part in the study, of which n = 15 (28.3%) currently met criteria for PTSD and n = 4 (7.5%) met criteria for Subsyndromal PTSD on the PCL-5. Participants listened to a recording of a Loving Kindness Meditation for self-compassion (LKM-S) and psychophysiological recordings were taken throughout. Participants completed state measures of hyperarousal and social connectedness before and after the LKM-S. Findings partially demonstrated that self-compassion can be elicited in an AFV population. However, changes on the self-report measures were largely not supported by psychophysiological measures, apart from skin conductance levels (SCL). The longevity of the effects observed in the study were not measured and should be investigated in future studies. Although this study has demonstrated that self-compassion can be elicited within the AFV population, further research is needed including to test a longer self-compassion intervention.

Compassion is potentially an effective emotion-regulation strategy to face the suffering of self and others. The aim of this paper is to provide an evolutionary understanding of compassion and compassion training (CT) by examining the psychological, neural and behavioral effects of loving-kindness meditation and compassion meditation. The author presents various definitions of compassion and examines the physiological and neural processes behind it. Compassion seems to have evolutionary roots but can be limited due to inherited blocks and fears. Compassion is however trainable and can potentially bypass certain evolutionary-based biases. CT results in various significant psychological effects, most notably positive affect, increased (self) compassion, and mindfulness. Evidence is however inconsistent, especially in relation to active controls. Neural effects are significant yet inconsistent across different experimental conditions. CT without a concurrent task activates (1) the right somatosensory cortices (2) the parieto-occipital sulcus, and (3) the right anterior insula. In relation to the socio-affective video task, CT activates medial orbitofrontal cortex, ventral striatum/nucleus accumbens, putamen, and anterior parts of anterior cingulate cortex; regions related to positive affect, motivational reward and affiliation. These findings converge with the reviewed psychological literature. CT also results in increased altruistic and compassionate behavior towards others, even when it’s costly to the self and under no-reciprocity conditions. Behavioral effects are mostly demonstrated in game-settings against active controls but also in one real-life situation. Together, the results suggest that CT is beneficial to individuals as well as inter-group relationships.

No description available.