Coping with a cancer diagnosis is known to be a stressful experience that can be related to declines in personal well-being and increases in distress. Dispositional mindfulness is known to be related to depressive symptoms and well-being. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between mindfulness and experiences of depressive symptoms and well-being in people recently diagnosed with cancer. Seventy-four participants who were diagnosed with cancer in the last 12 months completed an initial self-report survey, and 43 of those completed another survey 3 months later. Cross-sectional regression analysis showed that higher levels of mindfulness were related to fewer depressive symptoms, less use of avoidant coping, and more experiences of positive affect at baseline, but not related to positive reappraisal coping at baseline. Longitudinal regression analyses showed no significant relationship between mindfulness at baseline and depressive symptoms, experiences of positive affect, positive reappraisal coping, or avoidant coping 3 months later, after controlling for the dependent variable at baseline. Additionally, cross-lagged analysis indicated no evidence of a causal relationship between mindfulness at baseline and the dependent variables 3 months later.

The thesis summarizes current findings about mindfulness and presents specifics of and the prospects for work with children and adolescents in that context. It addresses certain programs based on mindfulness used in clinical practice as well as in a school setting, along with a brief evaluation of studies that monitor the impact of these programs on various aspects of child mental health. The empirical part of the study describes quantitative research into the extent of mindfulness in children by way of the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure (CAMM-17) and a comparison group of children with ADHD and intact sample. On the basis of the Mann-Whitney U Test, it was found that the extent of mindfulness in ADHD children does not differ significantly from the intact sample. Statistically, older children scored significantly higher than younger children in ADHD sample as well as in the learning disabilities group and in comparison of older and younger boys. The last part presents a program proposal for cultivating mindfulness in children with ADHD. Keywords: ADHD, children, Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure, Mindfulness, mindfulness- based interventions, school, mindfulness research

Master of Science / Department of Family Studies and Human Services / Sandra M. Stith / This investigation explored a relatively understudied aspect of mindfulness: the experience of ninth graders in a public school classroom who practice a brief, daily mindfulness activity. The mixed-method study utilized both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Semi-structured interviews investigated the experience of those students and gleaned further information surrounding the question, ―What was the experience of mindfulness like for you?‖ The data from these interviews was analyzed using thematic analysis and was cross-coded by two outside researchers not part of the data collection. This study also explored the effects of classroom mindfulness activities through the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure (Greco, Dew, & Baer, 2005). The participating students and a control group of students within the same school building and subject area took the measure before and after the study to determine the effects, if any, of participating in classroom mindfulness activities on adolescent mindfulness. These results were analyzed using paired sample T-tests using SPSS software. Results from both the interviews and the survey showed that students participating in the mindfulness activities had a consistently positive experience with the mindfulness exercise and increased their level of mindfulness. While unfamiliar with mindfulness at the beginning of the study, students in the experimental condition reported they found the experience beneficial in terms of personal growth, classroom environment, and adaption to other areas of their life. Any negative experiences concerning the mindfulness exercises centered around the initial unfamiliarity with mindfulness and specific components of one exercise. These results were further confirmed by the entries in a daily journal kept by the teacher.

Background: A nexus between the individual practice of mindfulness and sustainable behaviours has recently been unearthed all the while existing research tackling this connection on an organisational level is close to non-existing. Even so, corporate mindfulness has been object of extensive research in the past decades confirming increases in organisational and employee wellbeing. Given the need for sustainable development in contemporary society and for businesses to embrace this responsibility, the potential of such a connection is remarkable. Purpose: This thesis aims to explore the nexus between corporate mindfulness and the adoption of sustainability practices and the facilitation of change processes in business. Method: The study follows an interpretivist approach and is based on two cases, which are analysed and compared. Qualitative semi-structured interviews with open questions are conducted. Particular attention is given to the quality of the data and the ethical considerations accompanying the data collection. Findings: The findings present the interconnection of corporate mindfulness, sustainability adoption and organisational change. This is graphically represented in the Mindfulness-Sustainability Nexus Model (MSNM). Respondents, being mindfulness practitioners, acknowledge the overarching inability to ignore the sustainability challenge and the organisational impact on present and future generations. Moreover, intrinsic values get to the surface, both at the individual and organisational level, which are essential for long-tern sustainability practices. With the CBMT, old organisational structures are perceived as outdated and are remodelled as a result. Ultimately, in this research, the role of stakeholder engagement as well as a culture of openness are essential to embrace changes and to enhance sustainability.

Tendo em vista o aumento nos níveis prejudiciais de estresse e seu impacto na saúde da população, nota-se a necessidade de buscar estratégias eficazes de promoção de saúde na Atenção Primária para minimizar os prejuízos causados pelo estresse e aumentar a qualidade de vida das pessoas. Atualmente, o trabalho é um importante gerador de eventos \"estressores\" e, neste ambiente, as pessoas podem apresentar índices prejudiciais de estresse quando não encontram recursos de enfrentamento suficientes para lidar com tais eventos. A prática de Mindfulness surge como uma estratégia para redução dos níveis de estresse, de ansiedade e melhora na qualidade de vida. O objetivo do presente estudo é avaliar o efeito de um programa de intervenções baseadas em Mindfulness no estado funcional, nos níveis de atenção plena e no risco de adoecimento associado ao estresse no trabalho em profissionais da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS), na cidade de Ribeirão Preto - SP, Brasil. Trata-se de estudo quasi-experimental, realizado de setembro a dezembro de 2015, com profissionais da APS, utilizando métodos quantitativos e abordagem analítica antes-e-depois de um Programa de Mindfulness de 8 semanas (1 encontro de 2h/semana). A intervenção foi avaliada antes e depois da execução do programa por meio da aplicação dos instrumentos: Questionário sociodemográfico e de características pessoais, comportamentais e do trabalho, Escala de Estresse no Trabalho, Questionário das Cinco Facetas de Mindfulness e Dartmouth Primary Care Cooperative Information Project - COOP Function. Foram observadas diferenças significantes em seis facetas de Mindfulness após a intervenção: Observar (p=0,002); Descrever - formulação positiva (p=0,01); Agir com consciência plena - piloto automático (p=0,01) e distração (p=0,05); Não reagir à experiência interna (p=0,0005) e Não julgar a experiência interna (p=0,01). Em relação ao estado funcional, foram encontradas diferenças significantes para as dimensões: mudanças na saúde (p=0,01), saúde geral (p=0,007), qualidade de vida (p=0,04) e sentimentos (p=0,01). Quanto aos níveis de estresse no trabalho,notou-se a redução do modo de organização no trabalho de alta exigência, que passou de 35% antes da intervenção para 19% após a intervenção. Houve aumento dos modos de organização ativo (antes: 19%; depois: 27%); passivo (antes: 27%; depois: 31%); e do modo de baixa exigência (antes: 19%; depois: 23%). Conclui-se que intervenções baseadas em Mindfulness aplicadas a profissionais da APS podem melhorar níveis de atenção plena, funcionalidade e podem modificar os modos de organização no trabalho, reduzindo riscos de adoecimento destes profissionais. / Considering the increasing harmful levels of stress and its impact on the population health, it is necessary to seek effective strategies of health promotion in primary care to minimize damages caused by stress and improve people\'s quality of life. Today, work is a major \"stressor\" event generator, and in this context, people may experience harmful levels of stress when they do not find enough coping resources to handle such events. Mindfulness practice is a strategy to reduce levels of stress, anxiety and improvement in quality of life. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the effect of a Mindfulness program on the functional status, in mindfulness levels and the risk of illness associated with work-related stress in Primary Health Care (PHC) professionals in Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brazil. This is a quasi-experimental study, conducted from September to December 2015, with PHC professionals, using quantitative methods and analytical approach before and after an 8-week Mindfulness Program (sessions of 2 hours/week). The intervention was evaluated before and after the Mindfulness program through the application of three questionnaires: Sociodemographic questionnaire and personal, behavioral and work characteristics, Job Stress Scale, Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire and the Dartmouth Primary Care Cooperative Information Project - COOP Function. Significant differences were observed in six facets of Mindfulness after the intervention: Observe (p = 0.002); Describe - positive formulation (p = 0.01); Acting with awareness - autopilot (p = 0.01) and distraction (p = 0.05); Do not react to internal experience (p = 0.0005) and Do not judge the internal experience (p = 0.01). In functional status, significant differences were found for the dimensions: perception of change in health (p = 0.01), general health (p = 0.007), quality of life (p = 0.04) and feelings (p = 0.01). Regarding the stress levels at work, it noticed a reduction in the organizational mode of high strain, from 35% before the intervention to 19% after the intervention. There was increased in active mode (before: 19%, after: 27%); in passive mode (before: 27%, after: 31%) and the low strain mode (before: 19%, after: 23%). It is concluded thatinterventions based on Mindfulness applied to PHC professionals can improve levels of mindfulness, functionality and can modify the ways of organization at work, reducing the risks of illness of these professionals.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do programa intitulado Mindful Creative Thinking (MCT) sobre o nível da criatividade verbal de estudantes universitários de uma escola de negócios. Evidências científicas apontam efeitos positivos das práticas de mindfulness e das forças de caráter cognitivas no desenvolvimento da criatividade verbal. O programa MCT, desenvolvido no presente estudo e de autoria do próprio pesquisador, combina práticas de mindfulness e práticas das forças de caráter, integradas com práticas de treinamento do pensamento criativo. As variáveis estudadas foram fluência (número de ideias), flexibilidade (número de categorias) e originalidade (novidade estatística das respostas). O estudo exploratório utilizou métodos quanti-qualitativos e abordagem analítica de ensaio controlado antes-e-depois (before and after study) com amostra randomizada. O programa MCT foi realizado com 51 graduandos da Faculdade de Administração, Economia e Contabilidade (FEA-RP/USP) de Ribeirão Preto. Os estudantes foram divididos em dois grupos: Experimental (26 participantes) e Controle (25 participantes). Os dados foram coletados por meio da aplicação do Teste de Torrance, Questionário das Cinco Facetas de Mindfulness e de questionário com questões abertas (Questionário MCT), elaborado pelo pesquisador. O resultado da pesquisa demonstrou que o programa Mindful Creative Thinking contribuiu para o desenvolvimento das habilidades criativas e influenciou positivamente no nível de atenção plena dos graduandos. / The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the Mindful Creative Thinking (MCT) program on the level of verbal creativity of university students in a business school. Scientific evidence points to the positive effects of mindfulness practices and cognitive character forces in the development of verbal creativity. The MCT program, developed in the present study and authored by the researcher himself, combines practices of mindfulness and practices of character forces, integrated with practices of training of creative thinking. The variables studied were fluency (number of ideas), flexibility (number of categories) and originality (statistical novelty of the answers). The exploratory study used quantitative-qualitative methods and analytical approach of a randomized sample before and after study. The MCT program was carried out with 51 graduates from the Faculty of Administration, Economics and Accounting (FEA-RP / USP) of Ribeirão Preto. The students were divided into two groups: Experimental (26 participants) and Control (25 participants). The data were collected through the application of the Torrance Test, Questionnaire of Five Facets of Mindfulness and a questionnaire with open questions (Questionnaire MCT), prepared by the researcher. The result of the research demonstrated that the Mindful Creative Thinking program contributed to the development of creative skills and had a positive influence on the level of attention of undergraduates.

Tendo em vista o aumento nos níveis prejudiciais de estresse e seu impacto na saúde da população, nota-se a necessidade de buscar estratégias eficazes de promoção de saúde na Atenção Primária para minimizar os prejuízos causados pelo estresse e aumentar a qualidade de vida das pessoas. Atualmente, o trabalho é um importante gerador de eventos \"estressores\" e, neste ambiente, as pessoas podem apresentar índices prejudiciais de estresse quando não encontram recursos de enfrentamento suficientes para lidar com tais eventos. A prática de Mindfulness surge como uma estratégia para redução dos níveis de estresse, de ansiedade e melhora na qualidade de vida. O objetivo do presente estudo é avaliar o efeito de um programa de intervenções baseadas em Mindfulness no estado funcional, nos níveis de atenção plena e no risco de adoecimento associado ao estresse no trabalho em profissionais da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS), na cidade de Ribeirão Preto - SP, Brasil. Trata-se de estudo quasi-experimental, realizado de setembro a dezembro de 2015, com profissionais da APS, utilizando métodos quantitativos e abordagem analítica antes-e-depois de um Programa de Mindfulness de 8 semanas (1 encontro de 2h/semana). A intervenção foi avaliada antes e depois da execução do programa por meio da aplicação dos instrumentos: Questionário sociodemográfico e de características pessoais, comportamentais e do trabalho, Escala de Estresse no Trabalho, Questionário das Cinco Facetas de Mindfulness e Dartmouth Primary Care Cooperative Information Project - COOP Function. Foram observadas diferenças significantes em seis facetas de Mindfulness após a intervenção: Observar (p=0,002); Descrever - formulação positiva (p=0,01); Agir com consciência plena - piloto automático (p=0,01) e distração (p=0,05); Não reagir à experiência interna (p=0,0005) e Não julgar a experiência interna (p=0,01). Em relação ao estado funcional, foram encontradas diferenças significantes para as dimensões: mudanças na saúde (p=0,01), saúde geral (p=0,007), qualidade de vida (p=0,04) e sentimentos (p=0,01). Quanto aos níveis de estresse no trabalho,notou-se a redução do modo de organização no trabalho de alta exigência, que passou de 35% antes da intervenção para 19% após a intervenção. Houve aumento dos modos de organização ativo (antes: 19%; depois: 27%); passivo (antes: 27%; depois: 31%); e do modo de baixa exigência (antes: 19%; depois: 23%). Conclui-se que intervenções baseadas em Mindfulness aplicadas a profissionais da APS podem melhorar níveis de atenção plena, funcionalidade e podem modificar os modos de organização no trabalho, reduzindo riscos de adoecimento destes profissionais. / Considering the increasing harmful levels of stress and its impact on the population health, it is necessary to seek effective strategies of health promotion in primary care to minimize damages caused by stress and improve people\'s quality of life. Today, work is a major \"stressor\" event generator, and in this context, people may experience harmful levels of stress when they do not find enough coping resources to handle such events. Mindfulness practice is a strategy to reduce levels of stress, anxiety and improvement in quality of life. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the effect of a Mindfulness program on the functional status, in mindfulness levels and the risk of illness associated with work-related stress in Primary Health Care (PHC) professionals in Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brazil. This is a quasi-experimental study, conducted from September to December 2015, with PHC professionals, using quantitative methods and analytical approach before and after an 8-week Mindfulness Program (sessions of 2 hours/week). The intervention was evaluated before and after the Mindfulness program through the application of three questionnaires: Sociodemographic questionnaire and personal, behavioral and work characteristics, Job Stress Scale, Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire and the Dartmouth Primary Care Cooperative Information Project - COOP Function. Significant differences were observed in six facets of Mindfulness after the intervention: Observe (p = 0.002); Describe - positive formulation (p = 0.01); Acting with awareness - autopilot (p = 0.01) and distraction (p = 0.05); Do not react to internal experience (p = 0.0005) and Do not judge the internal experience (p = 0.01). In functional status, significant differences were found for the dimensions: perception of change in health (p = 0.01), general health (p = 0.007), quality of life (p = 0.04) and feelings (p = 0.01). Regarding the stress levels at work, it noticed a reduction in the organizational mode of high strain, from 35% before the intervention to 19% after the intervention. There was increased in active mode (before: 19%, after: 27%); in passive mode (before: 27%, after: 31%) and the low strain mode (before: 19%, after: 23%). It is concluded thatinterventions based on Mindfulness applied to PHC professionals can improve levels of mindfulness, functionality and can modify the ways of organization at work, reducing the risks of illness of these professionals.

Mindfulness meditation is a growing area of interest for both mental health professionals and the general public alike. Beneficial outcomes are associated with these practices, although the variety of measurement techniques makes research difficult to interpret. Definitions of these constructs are varied, and anecdotal accounts point to the idea that many people hold misconceptions about mindfulness and meditation, even when meanings are made clear. Still, no formal research has been published on misconceptions of mindfulness – or, if they exist, how such misinformation affects acquisition of related skills. Furthermore, mindfulness has been incorporated into therapeutic modalities without much consideration for context, including the client's learning history. The current analogue study examined how the presentation of mindfulness meditations (i.e., inaccurate rationale/meditation and accurate rationale/meditation) affects an individual's practice. Specifically, self-reported mindfulness and meditation skills, mood questionnaires, a matching-to-sample task, and qualitative measurements were used to assess acquisition. Although primary hypotheses did not yield significant findings, results from both preliminary and exploratory analyses demonstrate significant findings with regard to teaching, learning, and measurement related to mindfulness meditation. The results, future directions, and limitations are discussed.

Bakgrund: Mer än 300 miljoner människor i världen lider av depression vilket skapar ett stort lidande. Den psykiatriska hälso- och sjukvården bör arbeta enligt ett holistiskt förhållningssätt och sjuksköterskan ska stödja patientens egenvårdsförmåga. Yoga och mindfulness har visat sig ha en hälsofrämjande effekt på många somatiska tillstånd.  Syfte: Att beskriva betydelsen av yoga och mindfulness för patienter med depression. Resultat: Litteraturstudie baserad på tio vetenskapliga artiklar med kvalitativ, kvantitativ och mixad design. Data analyserades med utgångspunkt från Wittenmore och Knafls (2005) metod för integrativ innehållsanalys. Resultatet om yogan och mindfulness betydelse utmynnade i två teman; ”Inre process” och ”Återhämtning” och åtta kategorier; Copingverktyg, Empowerment, Depressiva symtom, Kunskap och kompetens, Psykisk förändring, Fysisk hälsa, Holistisk upplevelse och Upplevda svårigheter. Yogan upplevdes som ett copingverktyg för symtomlindring och ledde till en ökad inre styrka och empowerment. Den minskade de depressiva symtomen. Deltagarna fick kunskap om hur kropp och sinne samverkar och de fick en ökad självacceptans. Yogaträningen gav lugn och avslappning samt fysiska hälsoförbättringar. Många upplevde en samhörighet och att vara del i ett större sammanhang. Upplevda svårigheter var fysiska begränsningar, koncentrationssvårigheter, inre press, dåligt samvete och planering. Diskussion: Resultatet diskuteras utifrån Phil Barkers Tidvattenmodell samt relevant forskning. / Background: More than 300 million people in the world suffer from depression, which creates a great deal suffering. The psychiatric health care system should work according to a holistic approach and the nurse should support the patient's self-care ability. Yoga and mindfulness have shown to have a health-promoting effect on many somatic states. Aim: To describe the importance of yoga and mindfulness for patients with depression. Method: Literature review based on ten scientific articles with qualitative, quantitative and mixed design. Data was analyzed based on the Wittenmore and Knafls (2005) method for integrative content analysis. Results: The result of the yoga's significance resulted in two themes; “Internal Process” and “Recovery” and eight categories; Coping tools, Empowerment, Depressive symptoms, Knowledge and competence, Mental change, Physical health, Holistic experience and Perceived difficulties.   The yoga was experienced as a coping tool for symptom relief and led to increased internal strength and empowerment. It reduced the depressive symptoms. The participants gained knowledge of how the body and mind interact and they gained an increased self-acceptance. Yoga training provided peace and relaxation as well as physical health improvements. Many experienced a sense of belonging and to be part of a larger context. Experienced difficulties were physical limitations, concentration difficulties, internal pressures, poor conscience and planning. Discussion: The results are discussed based on Phil Barker's Tide Model and relevant research.

Bilden av personers hälsa som spelar elektroniska spel ser tämligen negativ ut, även om tidigare forskning förklarar att olika nivåer av spelandet kan medföra kognitiva fördelar. Men hur ser den psykiska hälsan ut? Studiens syfte var att jämföra skillnader i psykisk hälsa mellan nivåer av elektroniskt spelande, eSport atleter låg i fokus då tidigare forskning ej undersökt eSport atleters psykiska hälsa. Genom att jämföra tre nivåer av amatörspelare och en grupp eSport atleter i mindfulness, självförmåga och generell hälsa via en enkät fick studien reda på skillnader i psykisk hälsa mellan de olika spelnivåerna. Det signifikanta resultatet studien fann var att atleterna visade högre värden i självförmåga gentemot amatörgrupperna. Det sa emot vad studien förväntade, då atleter förväntades ligga lägre än amatörgrupperna. Däremot visade resultatet att deltagare för de fyra grupperna indikerar en god psykisk hälsa samt nivån av spelanvändning ej resulterade i förhöjd psykiska hälsa. / There are negative attitudes toward people who play electronic games even though different levels of gaming may improve cognitive functions according to previous research. But what about mental health? This study aimed to compare differences in mental health between different levels of gaming since past research hasn’t investigated the mental health amongst eSport athletes. In a survey, three groups of novice gamers and one group of eSport athletes were compared in general health, self-efficacy and mindfulness. The result showed significant higher values of self-efficacy in the eSport group compared to the three novice groups of gamers. This result was unpredicted, since eSport athletes were expected to score lower values than the novice groups. However, all four groups indicated good mental health and higher levels of gaming did not increase mental health cumulatively.