The interest of mindfulness has grown steadily during the last two decades. Mindfulness presence in the area of social work is mostly as an intervention offered to clients. However, the purpose of this study is to examine what implications the social worker’s mindfulness may have for the relationship with the clients. There is a lack of scientific studies focusing on mindfulness and the relationship between the client and the social worker. To fill this void we turned to psychology and psychotherapy research. The method used was a narrative review. The results were analyzed using a theoretical framework consisting of a theory viewing social work as reflexive-therapeutic and theories about the working alliance. The research about mindfulness effects on the relationships is still very new and contains a wide variety of definitions, operationalizations and study designs. The results show that mindfulness may enhance the social worker’s ability to create and establish a strong and constructive relationship with the clients. For example it seems like mindfulness cultivates the social worker’s ability to be less judging as well as more accepting, present, attentive and empathetic.

Svårigheter med uppmärksamhet, impulsivitet och överaktivitet är vanliga bland ungdomar. Förstahandsbehandlingen vid ADHD är farmakologisk, men den hjälper inte alla och flera bieffekter rapporteras. Denna studie undersökte om en åttaveckorskurs i mindfulness för ungdomar med ADHD skulle vara genomförbar, påverka deras grad av mindfulness samt påverka deras grad av ADHD-symtom. Sju ungdomar (14-18 år) deltog i studien som hade en multiple case design. Resultaten visade att interventionen kan betraktas som genomförbar och att en deltagare ökade sin grad av mindfulness. Avseende grad av ADHD-symtom var resultaten varierande. En slutsats som dras är att interventionen inte har haft en tydlig effekt på grad av mindfulness eller grad av ADHD-symtom. / Problems with attention, impulsivity and hyperaktivity are usual amongst adolescents. The first treatment of choise for ADHD is pharmacological, but the treatment doesn’t help everyone and several side effects are reported. This study examined if a mindfulness-based eight-week class for adolescents with ADHD would be feasible, if it would have effect on state of mindfulness and if it would have effect on ADHD-symptoms. Seven adolescents (14-18 yrs) participated in a multiple case design study. The results showed that the intervention was feasible and that one participant showed an increase in state of mindfulness. Regarding ADHD-symtoms the results were more variable. One conclusion is that the intervention hasn’t had a distinct effect on state of mindfulness or ADHD symptoms.

<p>When behavior is directed toward activities, people, and experiences that people find most important in their lives, they are engaged in valued living. Given that valued living is associated with well-being, quality of life, and happiness, understanding ways in which value-concordant behavior can be promoted, enhanced, and maintained is of utmost importance. Two studies sought to examine the associations between mindfulness--as a dispositional trait and as developed through training--and valued living. In Study 1 dispositional mindfulness was strongly related to three aspects of valued living: the general tendency for people to understand their values and act in value-consistent ways; directing behavior toward valued activities; and clarity of, action toward, and feelings of success and satisfaction with action toward specific important values. Study 2 compared valued living scores of people participating in a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program to a control group. Mindfulness training was related to increased general valuing processes and value-relevant behavior but was not related to increased clarity of, action, or success or satisfaction with action toward specific values. </p><p>The two studies also explored the mechanisms underlying the relationship between mindfulness and valued living. In Study 1, self-compassion, psychological flexibility, and self-clarity each partially mediated the relationship between dispositional mindfulness and valued living, but decentering did not. In Study 2, change in attention mediated the relationship between group (MBSR or control) and valued living, but acceptance, self-compassion, psychological flexibility, self-clarity, and decentering did not. Lastly, both studies found that valued living mediated the relationship between mindfulness and well-being. Taken together, these findings add to the growing body of literature demonstrating the benefits of mindfulness and highlight the important influence that clearly identifying and behaving in accordance with important values has on well-being.</p> / Dissertation

The use of mindfulness in healthcare is increasing in Sweden. A so-called secular form of mindfulness is also increasing within mediated contemporary psychology and is used in many areas such as schools, workplaces and when giving birth. The method originates from Buddhism and is much more complex than the form of mindfulness marketed in Sweden today. The religious heritage of mindfulness is interesting to study in such a secular society as Sweden, where the material for this study is found. The aim of this study is therefore to investigate whether mindfulness still is a form of religious coping or if it has become completely secularized, and thus free of its religious origin. This is done in a qualitative manner by examining three experiences of mindfulness described in the following books and blogs: How I overcame my trauma and PTSD (2013) by Philippe Izmailov, Mindfulness – En väg att hantera smärta (2008) by Vidyamala Burch and the blog article Därför tränar jag mindfulness (2013-05-20) by Jonas Ask. The research questions in this study are: What importance does mindfulness have for the individuals mental health based on religious and psychological coping theory? and Can mindfulness be interpreted as a form of coping which includes religiousness? The methods used are narrative analysis and hermeneutic interpretation and the theory is religious and psychological coping theory. The results show that mindfulness has an immense importance in providing psychological health for these individuals. All three have changed their significance and improved relationships, breath and stress reactions amongst others. The results also highlight that religious coping is dependent on definition of terms such as religion and sacred. This suggests that the question whether mindfulness can be considered to be coping that includes religiousness is a matter of interpretation. More studies on the religious and existential dimensions of mindfulness are therefore needed as well as definitions of religion and sacred adapted to a religious understanding that does not entirely rely on traditional terms and a western understanding.

Bakgrund Traditionell och komplementär eller alternativ medicin, vilket benämns Complementary and Alternative medicine (CAM), är enligt WHO en viktig, men ofta underskattad del i nationella hälso- och sjukvårdssystem. Användandet av CAM har ökat signifikant senaste åren för gravida kvinnor. Inom CAM ryms begreppet ”mind-body interventioner” eller “mind-body therapies” och innefattar behandling så som mindfulness, yoga, akupunktur, massage. Yoga och mindfulness har enligt tidigare studier positiv inverkan på graviditet och graviditetsutfall. Cirka 20 procent av alla gravida kvinnor får antenatal depression, en av tio upplever ökad oro/ångest och stress i samband med graviditet. Behandling av dessa symtom är viktigt och kvinnor efterfrågar idag alternativ. Syfte Syftet med studien var att undersöka om yoga och mindfulness kan ha positiv inverkan på depression, oro/ångest och stress under graviditet.   Metod Systematisk litteraturstudie   Resultat Yoga och/eller mindfulness under graviditet har visat sig ha positiv inverkan på depression, oro/ångest och stress. Flertalet av studiernas resultat visade en ökning av mindfulness, tilltro till egen förmåga, minskad oro/ångest, stress och depression samt ett generellt bättre mående.   Slutsats Denna litteraturstudie visade en hög grad av samstämmighet bland gravida kvinnor att yoga och mindfulness hade positiva effekter vid stress, oro/ångest och depression. Dessa positiva effekter antas ha betydelse för både den gravida kvinnan och i hennes relation till sitt barn. Utifrån detta kan gravida kvinnor informeras att studier finns som visar på ett ökat välbefinnande med yoga och mindfulness. Fortsatt forskning får visa om yoga och mindfulness skulle kunna erbjudas inom ramen för mödrahälsovårdens basprogram, samt om det är möjligt att genom dessa alternativa terapier går att minska graviditetskomplikationer som härrör från stress, oro/ångest och depression.

I Sverige ökar frekevensen av psykisk ohälsa. Mindfulness är en form av uppmärksamhetsträning att vara i nuet, som kan kan öka förmågan till lugn istället för att fastna i invanda beteenden såsom oro för framtiden. I aktuell studie delger fyra respondenter individuellt sina upplevelser kopplat till hälsa, efter deltagande i ett mindfulnessprogram. Denna kvalitativa studie med en tematisk analys på narrativ bas visar att berörda anammat mindfulness i varierande grad för att hantera egen hälsa och tillvaro i arbete samt privatliv inklusive relationer. Ytterligare studie rekommenderas kring effekter av mindfulness i ett mer långsiktigt perspektiv samt att utröna eventuellt andra påverkansfaktorer. / In Sweden, the frequency of mental disorder increases. Mindfulness is a form of awareness training to be in the present, who can increase the ability to calm instead of getting stuck in habitual behavior, such as anxiety about the future. In the current study four respondents provide individually their experiences related to health, after participating in a mindfulness program. This qualitative study, with a thematic analysis of narrative base, shows that the mindfulness is embraced in varying degrees to manage their own health and life at work and private life including relationships. Further study is recommended on the effects of mindfulness in a longer term perspective, and to determine any other influencing factors.

Syftet med föreliggande studie var att empiriskt undersöka en teoretisk modell för korrelationer mellan dispositionell mindfulness, påverkansmekanismer och idrottspsykologiska färdigheter (Birrer, Röthlin &amp; Morgan, 2012). Modellen testas genom att (1) undersöka korrelationer mellan dispositionell mindfulness och påverkansmekanismer (Emotionsreglering, Klarsynthet och Ältande). (2) Undersöka korrelationer mellan påverkansmekanismer och idrottspsykologiska färdigheter (Motoriska färdigheter, Anspänningsreglering, Motivation och Copingförmåga). (3) Dessutom undersöktes även korrelationer mellan idrottspsykologiska färdigheter och självskattad idrottsprestation (Tävlings- respektive träningsprestation). I studien deltog 242 elitidrottare från idrottsföreningar i sydvästra Sverige. Den aktuella studien stöder Birrer med kollegors (2012) modell då resultatet (1) visade signifikanta korrelationer mellan dispositionell mindfulness och samtliga tre påverkansmekanismer. (2) Vidare visade resultatet i aktuell studie att Emotionsreglering är relaterat till bättre Copingförmåga, Inre motivation och Anspänningsreglering. Resultatet visade att bättre Klarsynthet om sitt inre känsloliv är relaterat till bättre Copingförmåga, Inre motivation och Anspänningsreglering. Resultatet visade även att mindre Ältande är relaterat till bättre Copingförmåga och Anspänningsreglering. (3) Bättre Copingförmåga och högre grad av Yttre motivation visades vara relaterat till högre självskattad tävlingsprestation. Till sist visade resultatet att bättre Copingförmåga och högre grad av Inre motivation är relaterat till högre självskattad träningsprestation. Resultatet diskuterades i relation till forskning och teoretiska referensramar. / The purpose of present study was to empirically examine a theoretical model for correlations between dispositional mindfulness, impact mechanisms and sport psychological skills (Birrer, Röthlin &amp; Morgan, 2012). The model is tested by (1) to examine the correlations between dispositional mindfulness and impact mechanisms (Self-regulation, Clarity and Rumination). (2) To examine correlations between impact mechanisms and sport psychological skills (Motor Control Skills, Arousal Regulation Skill, Motivation and Coping Skills). (3) In addition was also correlations between skills and self-rated sport performance (competitive and training performance) examined. The study involved 242 competitive athletes from sports clubs in southwestern Sweden. The current study supports Birrer with colleagues' (2012) model when the results (1) showed significant correlations between dispositional mindfulness and all three impact mechanisms. (2) Furthermore, the results showed that Self-Regulation is related to better Coping Skills, Intrinsic Motivation and Arousal Regulation Skill. The results showed that better Clarity about its inner emotional life is related to better Coping Skills, Intrinsic Motivation and Arousal Regulation Skill. The results also showed that less Rumination is related to better Coping Skills and Arousal Regulation Skill. (3) Better Coping Skills and higher levels of External Motivation appeared to be related to higher self-rated competitive performance. Finally, the results showed that better Coping Skills and higher levels of Intrinsic Motivation are related to higher self-rated exercise performance. The results were discussed in relation to research and theoretical frameworks.

Hälso- och sjukvården har traditionellt arbetat kurativt. Tidigare forskning har visat att samhällsutvecklingen de senaste 20 åren, med högt tempo och stora krav, har resulterat i en ökning av stressrelaterad ohälsa, både nationellt och internationellt. Vinsterna med att arbeta hälsofrämjande är uppmärksammat i allt fler studier och det är därför av relevans att studera om Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), en förgrening av mindfulness, kan fungera som en effektiv och bidragande resurs för ett mer begripligt, hanterbart och meningsfullt liv. Syftet med denna litteraturstudie var att belysa de hälsofrämjande effekterna av MBSR. Tio artiklar valdes för granskning och utifrån artiklarnas resultat framkom två kategorier: Kortvariga hälsofrämjande effekter och långvariga hälsofrämjande effekter. Resultatet visade att MBSR har hälsofrämjande effekter, både ur ett kortvarigt och långvarigt perspektiv. Genom kontinuerligt utövande av MBSR ökar självkännedomen och medvetenheten, vilket resulterar i större hanterbarhet i vardagen och utövarna upplever en större meningsfullhet. Den mängd och bredd av olika hälsofrämjande effekter som uppmärksammats i denna litteraturstudie bör vara indikation på vidare forskning för fler användningsområden samt motivationens inverkan på utövande. Fler studier bör även inkludera ett samhällsperspektiv där de kostnadseffektiva aspekterna av MBSR undersöks. / Health services have traditionally worked curative. Previous studies have shown a societal development during the last 20 years, indicating an increased pace and great demands that results in decreased health due to stress, nationally as well as internationally. However, the benefits of working with health promotion is noted in more and more studies and therefore it is relevant to study whether MBSR, a further development of mindfulness, can be used as an effective resource in order to contribute and achieve a more comprehensible, manageable and meaningful life. The purpose of this study was to examine the health effects of MBSR. Ten articles were selected for review and based on the results collected from all articles, two categories were revealed: Short-term health benefits and long-term health effects. The results showed that MBSR has health effects, from both a short-term and long-term perspective. Through continuous pursuit of MBSR increases self-knowledge and awareness, resulting in greater manageability of everyday life and practitioners experience a greater meaningfulness. The variety and breadth of various health promoting effects that was highlighted in this literature study might indicate further research regarding more uses and how motivation influence the amount of exercise and effect. More studies should also include a societal perspective, where the cost aspects of MBSR are investigated.

Mindfulness, som ett akademiskt begrepp, har ökat i popularitet och betydelse på senaretid, och av intresse är, mer specifikt, det ökade stödet för dess samband med anknytningsteorisom har observerats. Detta motiverar djupare inblick i vad som beskriver och förklarar dettasamband ytterligare. Studien syftade till att undersöka förklaringar av sambandet mellananknytning och mindfulness. Medierande analyser inom området är få till antalet, dock hartidigare studier påvisat att emotionsreglering utverkar en medierande effekt mellananknytning och mindfulness. Litteraturen ger även anledning att undersöka ifall sambandetmellan anknytning och mindfulness är dubbelriktat. Således undersökte studien ävenmindfulness meta-mekanismen decentrering som medierande förklaring mellan mindfulnessoch anknytning. Totalt deltagarantal utgjordes av 53 kvinnor och 59 män som samtligabesvarade en standardiserad enkät, designad att mäta anknytning, mindfulness, emotionellreglering och decentrering. Resultatet bekräftar den medierande effekten av emotionsregleringmellan anknytning och mindfulness. Resultatet bekräftade även decentrerings medierande rolli sambandet mellan mindfulness och anknytning. Sammanfattningsvis understryksteoribildningens dubbelriktade förhållande samt diskussion av dess eventuella betydelse följerdärpå. / Mindfulness, seen as an academic term, have steadily been gaining more popularity latelyand, more specifically, an interest towards the increasing support for the correlation withattachment theory have been observed. This motivates a deeper understanding into thedescribing and explaining factors involved. The study set out to investigate the mediatingeffects of emotion regulation between attachment and mindfulness. Previous mediatinganalysis within this research area have, so far, been few, but earlier research has foundsupport for emotion regulation to mediate the effect between attachment and mindfulness. Theresearch literature also provide reason to further investigate if the correlation could be bidirectional,for this reason the study also investigate the mindfulness meta-mechanismdecentering as an proposed mediator between mindfulness and attachment. The total numberof participants comprised of 53 women and 59 men, which were asked to answer questionsdesigned to assess attachment anxiety and avoidance, mindfulness, emotion regulation anddecentering, using a standardized questionnaire. The results of the study confirm themediating effects of emotion regulation between attachment and mindfulness. The results alsofound support for the mediating effects of decentering between mindfulness and attachment.In conclusion, the suggested bi-directional nature of the relationship seems to be correct and adiscussion and implications of these findings follow.

Bakgrund Sjuksköterskor är utsatta för stress då de i yrket möter stressorer som ingår i arbetets natur. Mindfulness minskar stress utan farmakologiska läkemedel, och det finns flera interventionsmetoder som kan anpassas efter var grupps unika behov. Sjukvården behöver hitta metoder för att stärka sjuksköterskornas hälsa, då forskning visar att stressade sjuksköterskor utför vård av lägre säkerhet och kvalitet än sjuksköterskor med låg stressnivå. Dessutom orsakar de negativa konsekvenserna av stress stort lidande för sjuksköterskan och höga kostnader på individ-, arbetsgivar-, och samhällsnivå. Syfte  Syftet var att undersöka hur mindfulness påverkar sjuksköterskor med stressymptom. Metod Induktiv litteraturöversikt i vilken artiklar med kvantitativ metodik sammanställdes. Artiklar söktes i databaserna Cinahl och PsychArticles, analyserades enligt Fribergs femstegsmodell och sammanställdes i en tabell.  Resultat Artiklarna visade att mindfulness har statistiskt signifikant effekt oavsett interventionsmetod, om sjuksköterskorna får vägledning. Oönskade stressymptom minskade, och sjuksköterskornas KASAM ökade genom att symptom som ökar en individs förmåga att uppleva begriplighet, hanterbarhet och meningsfullhet ökade. Slutsats Mindfulness ökar KASAM och flera parametrar av hälsa hos sjuksköterskor med stressymptom, och kan hjälpa sjuksköterskor att hantera stressorer som är svåra eller omöjliga att eliminera i deras yrke. / Background Nurses are under stress since, in their occupation, they deal with stressors which are parts of the workcontent. Mindfulness decreases stress without pharmacological drugs and there are several methods to practice mindfulness in, which may be adapted to the unique needs of each group. The healthcare need to find methods to strengthen the health of nurses, since research show nurses under stress perform care of lower safety and quality to the patients, than those unstressed. Besides, the negative consequences of stress cause great suffering for the nurse, and high costs at individual, employer and societal level.  Aim The aim was to examine how mindfulness affects nurses with stress symptoms.  Method An inductive literature review in which articles of quantitative design were compiled. Articles were searched for in the databases of Cinahl and PsychArticles, analyzed according to the Fivesteps-modell of Fribergs and compiled into a chart.   Results  The articles showed mindfulness has statistically significant effect regardless of method, if the nurses obtain guidance. Unwanted stress symptoms decreased, and the nurses´ KASAM increased by the increase of symptoms strengthening an individual´s ability to experience comprehensibility, manageability and meaningfulness.  Conclusion Mindfulness increases KASAM and several parameters of health for nurses suffering from stress sympthoms, and may help nurses to handle stressors which are difficult or impossible to eliminate in their occupation.