Nonostante il maltrattamento all’infanzia costituisca un’esperienza relazionale patogena, alcuni bambini maltrattati mostrano un itinerario di sviluppo resiliente. La tesi si focalizza sul possibile ruolo giocato da meaning-making e mindfulness skills nel funzionamento resiliente. Il primo obiettivo è stato esplorare la relazione tra meaning-making, mindfulness skills e benessere in bambini non maltrattati. Il secondo obiettivo è stato valutare meaning-making e mindfulness skills in minori maltrattati, per determinare se il funzionamento resiliente fosse in relazione con questi costrutti. Il terzo obiettivo è stato creare un intervento per minori maltrattati ospitati in comunità (MBYR), testandone la fattibilità. Lo studio 1 ha esplorato il meaning-making in bambini non maltrattati, non evidenziando alcuna relazione con le loro competenze e difficoltà. Lo studio 2 ha mostrato che le mindfulness skills correlavano negativamente con outcome avversi, ma positivamente con le competenze dei bambini. Lo studio 3 ha esplorato la relazione tra funzionamento resiliente, meaning-making e mindfulness skills in minori maltratti, evidenziando che il meaning-making era legato a livelli più bassi di qualità della vita, mentre le mindfulness skills erano in relazione con il funzionamento resiliente. Questi risultati hanno informato il razionale dell’MBYR, che ha significativamente ridotto i sintomi traumatici, aumentando mindfulness skills e competenze generali (studio 4). / Child maltreatment is a pathogenic relational experience representing one of the most difficult challenges to children’s healthy adaptation; nonetheless, some maltreated children develop resiliently. The thesis focuses on the possible role played by meaning-making and mindfulness skills in resilient functioning. The first aim was to investigate the relation between meaning-making, mindfulness skills, and wellbeing in nonmaltreated children. The second aim was to explore meaning-making and mindfulness skills in maltreated children and adolescents, to determine whether resilient functioning was related to these constructs. Finally, the third aim was to design an intervention for maltreated youths in residential care (MBYR) and to test its feasibility. Study 1 explored meaning-making in nonmaltreated children, showing that it was not related to their competencies and difficulties. Study 2 highlighted that mindfulness skills were negatively related to adverse outcomes and positively related to children’s competencies. Study 3 explored the relation between different domains of resilient functioning, meaning-making, and mindfulness skills in maltreated youths, showing that meaning-making was related to lower levels of quality of life, whereas mindfulness skills were related to resilient functioning. These results informed the rationale for the MBYR, which significantly reduced traumatic symptoms while enhancing mindfulness skills and general competencies (study 4).

Kognitiv beteendeterapi (KBT) bygger på teorier kring människans tankar, känslor och beteenden. Det är ett samlingsbegrepp för metoder som utformats för att hjälpa människor att förändra problematiska beteenden. Inledningsvis sammanfattas de begrepp som är relevanta för studiens syfte. Statistik visar att psykisk ohälsa är vanligt förekommande hos klassiska musiker. Syftet med studien var att undersöka hur KBT kan användas för att uppnå ändamålsenliga beteenden i musikalisk övning och fungera som ett hjälpmedel för att hantera problem. Studien byggde på en hermeneutisk grund. Materialet bestod av självobservationer från instudering av Mendelssohns violinkonsert. Dessa tolkades ur ett KBT–perspektiv för att besvara syftet. I resultatet visas integrerandet av KBT–interventioner i form av konkreta exempel där interventionen utformats för att bemöta ett problem i instuderingen. I studiens diskussion analyserades resultatet i form av vilken effekt KBT–interventionerna haft i den musikaliska övningen. / Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is based on theories about thoughts, feelings and behaviors. It’s a collective term for methods that serve the purpose of helping people with problematic behaviors. In the introduction the relevant concepts for the study are summarized. Statistics show that mental distress among classical musicians is common. The purpose of the study was to examine how CBT can be applied in order to reach effective behaviors in musical practice and serve as a tool for managing problems. The basis of the study was hermeneutic. The material consisted of self-observations from the study of Mendelssohn violin concerto. These were analyzed from a CBT-perspective to answer the purpose. In the result the integration of CBT-interventions can be viewed in terms of concrete examples where the interventions have been formed to respond to a problem in the practice. In the discussion of the study the result has been analyzed according to what effect the CBT-interventions have had in the musical practice.

Hotet mot vår hälsa och dagens psykiska ohälsa ökar ständigt. Yoga beskrivs vara behjälplig mot stress och, då mitt intresse är att främja hälsa, har jag valt att undersöka en relativt ny yogaform, holiyoga. Syfte med studien är att ta reda på om holiyoga kan påverka en människas upplevelse av välbefinnande i vardagen, och på vilket sätt iså fall? Frågeställningen är, vilka erfarenheter, lärande och nya kunskaper upplevs i holiyoga, samt om holiyogans eventuella inverkan i vardagen på personlig hälsa, socialt och relationer. Vidare undersöks även yogaläraren och gruppens betydelse för deltagarens erfarenheter. Studien är kvalitativ med åtta intervjuer av deltagare i holiyogakurs och analysmetoden är tematisk av Braun & Clarke. Teoretiska verktyg som använts är Kolbs teori om upplevelsebaserat lärande och KASAM av Antonovsky.   Resultatet visar att holiyoga beskrivs som behjälplig att hantera och begripa sig själva och omgivning lite mer, och att deltagarna funnit ytterligare en skyddsfaktor att möta stress. De har skaffat sig ännu en ”Generella motståndsresurs” för att lösa problem. De positiva hälsoaspekter som beskrivits är, glädje, frihet, insikter, mer acceptans och bättre relationer, men närvaro och sångmeditation beskrivs som det mest betydelsefulla erfarenheterna på holiyogan. Enligt resultatanalysen av Kolbs lärande så tycks holiyoga och gruppen vara en miljö där deltagaren kan möta sig själva och varandra på ett tillåtande sätt och skapa nya kunskaper. / The threat towards our general health and especially or mental health is increasing in today's society. Previous research on yoga discloses the impact it can have on stress-related symptoms, and as my interest is to promote better health this thesis strives to study a relatively new yoga form called holiyoga. The research aims to examine whether holiyoga can affect people's experience of well-being in their everyday life and if so, in what ways? The research question for this thesis is, what experiences, learning and new knowledge are perceived through holiyoga, and if holiyoga can have influences on ones personal health, social life, and relationships. Furthermore, the yoga teacher and the groups meaning is examined in relation to the participant's overall experience. This study is qualitative, consisting of eight interviews with participants of a holiyoga-class and additionally, a thematic analysis method by Braun & Clarke has been used. The theories used are Kolb's theory of experimental learning and KASAM by Antonovsky.  The result shows that holiyoga is described to help manage and comprehend the self and ones surroundings better, and further that the participants have gained and additional protective method to encounter stress with. In other words, the participants have obtained a "general resistance resource" to solve problems. Several positive health aspects have been described such as happiness, freedom, insights, more acceptance, and better relationships, although presence and meditative singing have been described as the most significant experiences obtained from holiyoga. According to the analysis of learning by Kolbs, it seams like holiyoga and the group is an environment where the participants can face both themselves but also each other under nonjudgmental circumstances and develop new learning.

Solicitud de envío manuscrito de artículo científico. / En las últimas décadas el mindfulness se ha incluido en diferentes modelos psicoterapéuticos, principalmente con el objetivo de favorecer el bienestar psicológico y reducir la sintomatología en contextos clínicos. Por este motivo, se necesitan medidas breves y fiables para medir el constructo. La Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) es una escala auto-informada de 15 ítems que mide la capacidad para estar atento y consciente a la experiencia del momento presente. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar las propiedades psicométricas de la MAAS en 299 adultos, divididos en una muestra clínica y no clínica, de la ciudad de Lima, Perú. Los resultados del Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio señalaron un ajuste adecuado al modelo (χ2 = 252.82, df = 90, p < .001, χ2/df = 2.81, CFI = 0.93 y RMSEA = 0.08 [IC 90%: 0.07, 0.09]) Respecto a los ítems del modelo unidimensional, todos muestran cargas factoriales estandarizadas (λ) estadísticamente significativas (p < .01), en la dirección esperada y con una λpromedio de 0.68. El índice de confiabilidad fue satisfactorio (α de Cronbach = .93) y la validez convergente de la escala MAAS con el cuestionario FFMQ fue de .76, así como un coeficientes Omega de McDonalds de .93. Los resultados muestran que el MAAS posee adecuadas propiedades psicométricas para ser utilizado en población adulta peruana. / In recent decades mindfulness has been included in different psychotherapeutic models, mainly with the aim of promoting psychological well-being and reducing symptomatology in clinical contexts. For this reason, short and reliable measures are needed to measure the construct. The Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) is a self-informed 15-item scale that measures the ability to be attentive and aware of the experience of the present moment. This study aimed to analyze the psychometric properties of MAAS in 299 adults, divided into a clinical and non-clinical sample, in the city of Lima, Peru. The results of the Confirmatory Factorial Analysis indicated an appropriate fit for the model (2 x 252.82, df x 90, p < .001, 2/df x 2.81, CFI - 0.93 and RMSEA - 0.08 [90% CI: 0.07, 0.09]) With respect to the items in the one-dimensional model, all show statistically significant standardized factorial loads (p <.01), in the expected direction, and with apromedium of 0.68. The reliability index was satisfactory (Cronbach's α .93) and the convergent validity of the MAAS scale with the FFMQ questionnaire was .76, as well as a McDonalds Omega coefficient of .93. The results show that MAAS has adequate psychometric properties to be used in the Peruvian adult population. / Tesis

Stress, especially the chronic one, plays an essential role in the quality of human health, work, relationships and life in general. In recent years, scientific research in areas such as medicine, psychology or neuroscience has become increasingly interested in the effects of mindfulness training on the human psyche and health. In this context, clinical mindfulness-based training programs are usually examined. The aim of this work was to map the effect of the clinical program Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), which is widely used abroad, on the level of stress. The theoretical part focuses on the existing knowledge about the effects of the MBSR program on health and personal well-being and the proposed mechanisms of action. The research part, in turn, on the knowledge of the effects of this program on stress and quality of life of participants in this program through quantitative research aimed at measuring changes in stress levels and qualitative research, analyzing interviews with program participants. The main result of the research part is the finding that the effect of the MBSR program on stress is an important part of the effects of this intervention and its completion may lead to a reduction of perceived stress (N = 190, p < .001, d = 0.81). Qualitative research found that the...

Stress, especially the chronic one, plays an essential role in the quality of human health, work, relationships and life in general. In recent years, scientific research in areas such as medicine, psychology or neuroscience has become increasingly interested in the effects of mindfulness training on the human psyche and health. In this context, clinical mindfulness-based training programs are usually examined. The aim of this work was to map the effect of the clinical program Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), which is widely used abroad, on the level of stress. The theoretical part focuses on the existing knowledge about the effects of the MBSR program on health and personal well-being and the proposed mechanisms of action. The research part, in turn, on the knowledge of the effects of this program on stress and quality of life of participants in this program through quantitative research aimed at measuring changes in stress levels and qualitative research, analyzing interviews with program participants. The main result of the research part is the finding that the effect of the MBSR program on stress is an important part of the effects of this intervention and its completion may lead to a reduction of perceived stress (N = 190, p < .001, d = 0.81). Qualitative research found that the...

Forskning om sexuell hälsa utgår ofta från ett patologiskt perspektiv och sällan belyses att sex kan vara hälsofrämjande. Sexuell nöjdhet är en hälsofrämjande aspekt och kan beskrivas som en individs kognitiva och emotionella attityd gentemot den egna sexuella aktiviteten. Erfarenheter av nära relationer och förmågan att vara närvarande i stunden kan ha betydelse för dessa attityder. Syftet med föreliggande studie var att undersöka sambandet mellan vuxenanknytning, dispositionell mindfulness (dvs tendens att vara medvetet närvarande i vardagen) och sexuell nöjdhet hos svenska universitets- och högskolestudenter. Ett sekundärt syfte var att utvärdera psykometriska egenskaper hos den svenska översättningen av självskattningsformuläret Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (SSQ). Totalt 158 respondenter inkluderades i studien efter att via en digital enkät besvarat självskattningsformulären Erfarenheter av Nära Relationer (ENR), Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ_SWE) och SSQ. Resultatet visade att samband förekommer mellan fenomenen samt indikerar att relationen mellan vuxenanknytning och sexuell nöjdhet medieras av dispositionell mindfulness. Resultatet tydde på att SSQ är ett reliabelt mätinstrument. Slutsatsen är att trygg anknytning och högre nivå av dispositionell mindfulness är associerat med högre nivå av sexuell nöjdhet. Lägre nivå av sexuell nöjdhet hos personer med mer anknytningsängslighet och/eller anknytningsundvikande tycks helt eller delvis kunna förklaras av att dessa individer också tenderar att vara mindre medvetet närvarande i vardagen. Resultatet bör utvärderas genom replikering och vidare studier bör undersöka andra aspekter som kan ha betydelse för sexuell nöjdhet. Huruvida mindfulness-baserade insatser skulle kunna ge positiva effekter på sexuell nöjdhet, särskilt för individer med otrygg anknytning, är en fråga för framtida forskning. / Research on sexual health is often based on a pathological perspective and rarely emphasize sex as health-promoting. Sexual satisfaction is one health-promoting aspect that can be described as an individuals’ cognitive and emotional attitudes towards their own sexual activity. Experiences of close relationships and the tendency to be mindful could be of significance to these attitudes.  This study aims to examine the relationship between adult attachment, dispositional mindfulness (i.e., tendency to be mindful in everyday life) and sexual satisfaction. A secondary aim was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (SSQ) in Swedish. A total of 158 respondents were included in this study after participating in an online survey containing the self-assessment questionnaires Erfarenheter av Nära Relationer (ENR), Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ_SWE) and SSQ. The results showed correlations between the variables and that the relationship between adult attachment and sexual satisfaction appears to be mediated by dispositional mindfulness. The results indicate that SSQ is a reliable scale. In conclusion secure attachment and higher levels of dispositional mindfulness are associated with higher levels of sexual satisfaction. Lower sexual satisfaction among individuals with more attachment anxiety and/or avoidance could be explained by their tendency to be less mindful in everyday life. The results should be evaluated through replication and further studies ought to investigate other aspects that may be of significance for sexual satisfaction. Whether mindfulness-based interventions could have positive effects on sexual satisfaction, especially for individuals with insecure attachment, is an issue for future research.

Equine Assisted Therapy is, from a social work perspective, a relatively unexplored arrangement of therapy in which the horse is part of the treatment. This study illustrates the equine therapist’ experiences of Equine Assisted Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (EA-CBT) and Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) up against people suffering from mental health issues. The research questions are: How do we use horses as a part of the treatment up against people with mental health issues? What components can be identified as a central part of the treatment in Equine Assisted Therapy? The empirical material was collected by using hermeneutic approach and qualitative semi-structured interviews with three practicing equine therapists. The main result showed that horses are used as therapeutical co-workers, as well as a metaphor for the individuals’ emotions. The horses take a significant part of the patients’ sense of coherence (KASAM) as well as the patients’ mentalization, especially through emotional understanding and communication. Furthermore, the result indicate that the horse is as an important link in the encounter between therapist and patient. The analysis was based on an analytic method, in which the empirical material is the starting point of coding and creating themes. The central conclusions were that the horse play a significant role in the promotion of the humans’ ameliorative mental health. It does not only play role for the mental health issues, but also for the patients’ conduction after the treatment.

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of emotion regulation and rumination in the relationship between dispositional mindfulness and self-assessed performance. A total of 89 soccer players (72 male, 17 women; Mage = 28.75, SD =3.283 years) participated. A quantitative longitudinal design (three-time measures within a four-week period) was conducted where the independent and dependent variables, as well as the two potential mediators were measured using Rumination Reflection Questionnaire, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, Athlete Mindfulness Questionnaire and Sport Performance Questionnaire. The results showed a significant indirect effect of dispositional mindfulness on self-assessed performance through both emotion regulation and rumination. These findings indicate that emotion regulation and rumination mediate the relationship between dispositional mindfulness and self-assessed performance in the examined sample. Findings are to be taken with caution given the homogeneous sample of athletes considered and the use of a subjective measure of performance. Further research should focus on a more targeted group and use a more objective performance measure, as well as a sport specific rumination scale. / Syftet med den föreliggande studien var att undersöka rollen av emotionsreglering och ältande mellan dispositionell mindfulness and självskattad idrottsprestation. Totalt 89 fotbollsspelare (72 män, 17 kvinnor; Målder = 28.75, SD = 12.28 år) deltog i studien. Studien var av kvantitativ longitudinell design (tre mättillfällen under en fyra veckors period) där den oberoende variabeln, den beroende variabeln och två potentiella mediatorer undersöktes med hjälp av Rumination Reflection Questionnaire, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, Athlete Mindfulness Questionnaire och Sport Performance Questionnaire. Resultaten visade signifikant indirekt effekt av dispositionell mindfulness på självskattad idrottsprestation genom både ältande och emotionsreglering. Resultaten indikerar att ältande och emotionsreglering medierar förhållandet mellan dispositionell mindfulness och självskattad idrottsprestation i det undersökta urvalet. Det diskuteras att atleter med karaktärsdrag att vara medvetna dagligen är mer benägna att effektivt reglera deras negativa emotioner. Det diskuteras dessutom att atleter med en högre grad av ältande tankar har mer negativ idrottsprestation än atleter med lägre grad av ältande tankar. Resultaten bör tolkas med försiktighet med tanke på att undersökningen gjordes på en homogen grupp av fotbollsspelare med ett subjektivt mått av prestation. Framtida forskning bör fokusera på en mer bestämd grupp för att öka reliabiliteten och använda mer objektiva mått på prestation, samt använda ett idrottsspecifikt instrument för att mäta ältande.

Mindfulnessbaserad stressreduktion och mindfulnessbaserad kognitiv terapi är två program som har god evidens vid ett flertal psykiska och fysiska tillstånd. Den övervägande delen av tidigare forskning är dock kvantitativ. Syftet med denna studie var att genom kvalitativ metod undersöka vilka förändringar människor upplever till följd av programmen. Sju tidigare deltagare intervjuades och resultatet bearbetades genom tematisk analys. Resultatet visade att deltagarna upplevde ett ökat psykiskt välmående och en större acceptans för sig själva och sina upplevelser. De beskrev en ökad förmåga till decentrering från tankar och känslor och minskad tendens att reagera automatiskt vid obehag. Många upplevde ökad affekttolerans och en stärkt känsla av agentskap. MBKT-deltagarna beskrev att de lättare kunde släppa taget om grubblerier och ältande. Flera deltagare beskrev att de börjat prioritera egna behov mer och sänka kraven på sig själva. Flera upplevde minskad känslighet för social bedömning och ökad förmåga till gränssättning och självhävdelse i relationer. Många beskrev en minskad känslomässig reaktivitet och ökad mentaliseringsförmåga i påfrestande interpersonella situationer. Vissa upplevde ökad medkänsla med sig själva och andra. Hos en del framkom behov av uppföljning efter avslutat program. Fynden diskuteras med hänsyn till studiens begränsningar och i relation till teori, tidigare studier och möjlig framtida forskning.