Losing a loved one can lead to bereavement grief. It is often accompanied by anxiety, profound sadness, sleep disturbance and lingering depression. Prolonged grief can affect the ability to function properly, through overall reduction in cognitive function. Being able to find effective interventions early on in the grieving process for the bereaved is essential in preventing disorders associated with prolonged sorrow. Mindfulness research has shown that it can improve well-being and a variety of conditions such as stress, anxiety, worry, depression and disturbed sleep. But the research into mindfulness as a potential grief intervention is relatively new and lacking. The aim of this study is to see if the research and literature on the subject can tell us about mindfulness interventions and their benefit to those experiencing bereavement: in particular, the loss of a family member. Four studies were included, making this a more explorative research. In all studies, grief-related psychological conditions as well as grief-levels decreased after the mindfulness intervention, such as depression symptoms, trauma symptoms, anxiety, and any difficulties in emotion regulation.Those with elevated depression or traumatic bereavement seem to experience a larger change in all eviated symptoms after the mindfulness intervention. The findings indicated that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy helped with the ability to emotionally regulate as well as decreasing spontaneous mind-wandering during resting-state. It also seemed to enhance cognitive control and working memory.

Submitted by Daniella Santos (daniella.santos@ufma.br) on 2017-09-12T14:52:30Z No. of bitstreams: 1 AnaCostaNeta.pdf: 757915 bytes, checksum: 3232fac494ac242711aca6433e3a9afc (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-12T14:52:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 AnaCostaNeta.pdf: 757915 bytes, checksum: 3232fac494ac242711aca6433e3a9afc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-05-25 / Mindfulness practices have been used in the treatment of clinical problems, for some time, with the use of the pioneer program of Kabat-Zinn, Mindfulness-based Stress Reductions (MBSR), program that served as a prototype for the development of other mindfulness-based, among them the of Segal, Williams and Teasdale, MindfulnessBased Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), which integrates mindfulness practices with strategies of Cognitive Therapy. From these integrations mindfulness practices have been inserted in the process of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) increasingly, even the two clinical models showing-philosophical and theoretical principles of methods different interventions. Therefore, this study aimed to discuss how the theoretical fundaments of MBSR and CBT are integrated in MBCT, as well as possible reasons and implications of the inclusion of mindfulness strategies in CBT. For this we used articles available on the internet, books and chapters of books on the subject, in English, Portuguese and Spanish, without restriction to year of publication. The theoretical comparison was accomplished through four conceptions that supports the theoretical models: cognition, behavior, and environment of pathology. In addition, he likened himself, through the analysis of two sections, the interventions carried out in TCC and MBCT. Overall, they identified some similarities and compatibilities between the theoretical assumptions of CBT and MBCT, MBSR programs and being a significant difference how understand the cognitions, because while in TCC she is seen as deterministic and causal, MBSR programs and MBCT is just another mental event. It appeared also, controversies clear when one considers the classical cognitive model of Aaron Beck. / As práticas de mindfulness vêm sendo utilizadas no tratamento complementar de problemas clínicos, há algum tempo, com o uso do programa pioneiro de Kabat-Zinn, o Mindfulness-Basead Stress Reductions (MBSR), programa que serviu de protótipo para o desenvolvimento de outros baseados em mindfulness, dentre eles o de Segal, Williams e Teasdale, o Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), que integra práticas de mindfulness com estratégias da Terapia Cognitiva. A partir dessas integrações as práticas de mindfulness vêm sendo inseridas no processo da Terapia CognitivoComportamental (TCC) de modo crescente, mesmo os dois modelos clínicos apresentando princípios teóricos-filosóficos e métodos de intervenções diferentes.Diante disso, este estudo objetivou discutir como os fundamentos teóricos do MBSR e da TCC são integrados no MBCT, bem como possíveis razões e implicações da inclusão de estratégias mindfulness na TCC. Para isso foram utilizados artigos disponibilizados na internet, livros e capítulos de livros sobre a temática, no idioma inglês, português e espanhol, sem restrição de ano de publicação. A comparação teórica foi realizada por meio de quatro concepções: cognição, comportamento, ambiente e visão de patologia. Além disso, comparou-se, por meio da análise de dois trechos de sessão, as intervenções realizadas na TCC e no MBCT. De modo geral, foram identificadas algumas semelhanças e compatibilidades entre os pressupostos teóricos da TCC e dos programas MBSR e MBCT, sendo a diferença significativa o modo como entendem as cognições, pois enquanto na TCC ela é vista como causal e determinista, nos programas MBSR e MBCT é apenas mais um evento mental. Verificou-se também, controvérsias claras quando se considera o modelo cognitivo clássico de Aaron Beck.

Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a promising approach aimed at the prevention of relapse in people suffering from recurrent depression. However little is known about what factors support gains in the longer-term. This study examines participants’ experiences of the perceived benefits and barriers to MBCT reunion attendance. Thirteen people, who had participated in MBCT classes for recurrent depression within a primary care setting, were interviewed about their experiences of the reunion meetings or their reasons for not attending. Seven of these had completed their program within the previous 12 to 18 months at the time of interview, and six had completed their program between 20 months and 4 years prior to the time of the interview. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to analyze participants’ accounts. Four themes highlighted the participants’ experiences: In terms of benefits, reunion attendees experienced the reunions as a booster reminding them of their mindfulness practices and as a sanctuary where these practices were further nurtured within an accepting and compassionate environment. Barriers to reunion attendance were difficulties around the group experience and wanting to put the experience behind them. This related to the memory of depression as well as to the program and group experience for some individuals. Theoretical, clinical and research implications are discussed.

Parents of children with developmental disabilities (DDs) often suffer from psychological distress stemming from their children’s behavioral problems. One cause of distress is their challenge to accept their children’s illnesses mindfully. A culturally tailored and readily accessible mindfulness intervention may increase mindfulness and reduce distress. Also, there were insufficient studies regarding culturally relevant mindfulness trainings that have been conducted in Thailand. Therefore, a Brief Culturally Tailored Thai Mindfulness intervention (BCTTMi) was developed, merging the work of Jon Kabat-Zinn with Buddhist philosophy. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the BCTTMi on stress, anxiety, and mindfulness in these parents. An experimental waitlist control crossover design with the 2-weekend BCTTMi was employed in 22 Thai parents and caregivers of children with DDs. They were all Thais and Buddhists; more than half had practiced meditation. They completed three Thai-version questionnaires: (a) the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form-4th edition; (b) the State Anxiety Inventory-Form-Y-1; and (c) the Mindfulness Assessment Scale, at three measurements (baseline, posttest, and two-week follow-up). Repeated measure ANOVA analyses were used to analyze data. The findings showed that anxiety significantly decreased from baseline to posttest, and mindfulness significantly increased with the BCTTMi. Nevertheless, stress did not significantly reduce over time, and change between intervention and control conditions did not differ for anxiety level. Moreover, there were no differences in any outcomes from posttest to two-week follow-up. In spite of Buddhist homogeneity of participants and sustained stress, mindfulness increased, and anxiety decreased following the BCTTMi. These findings indicate the feasibility of tailoring the mindfulness-based training to specific cultures and its usefulness as an efficient option for parents and caregivers of children with DDs. Further studies regarding the BCTTMi are warranted in broader populations and settings. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2018. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The current study utilized a quasi-experimental nonequivalent groups design to investigate whether a 5-week long Mindfulness Meditation Intervention (MMI), would impact measures of attention, positive and negative affect, state and test anxiety, mindfulness, and reactive cortisol levels in 107 school aged children. A series of reliability corrected ANCOVAs were performed on all behavioral variables. Results indicated that those in the MMI group did not differ from their cohorts on any of the behavioral measures. Reactive levels of salivary cortisol were also collected and assayed in a subsample of 25 participants. An ANCOVA on cortisol change scores was performed and findings did not reach statistical significance. Post-hoc power analyses revealed that this could be due to inadequate sample size. To conclude studies utilizing a MMI of longer duration or with larger sample sizes may be required in assessing the usefulness of MMIs in behavioral and physiological measures in non-clinical child populations. / by Maria L. Corbett. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2011. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2011. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Many studies have supported the overall health benefits of mindfulness meditation practices for adults, but research exploring such benefits for children is sparse. The present study explored the psychophysiological effects of mindfulness meditation over a 10 week-period on a sample of 2nd-and 4th-grade children. Electroencephalograph (EEG) asymmetry and coherence were recorded at baseline and immediately after the meditation intervention for the experimental group, and at baseline and after 10 weeks for the control group. Measures of affect, behavioral motivation, creativity, and depression were also administered. The primary findings indicated that when improvement in depressive symptoms occurred for 4th-grade students who were somewhat engaged in meditation practice, left-sided frontal EEG activity was also more prominent. Additionally, 4th-grade students who actively participated in meditation practice experienced decreases in self-reported levels of negative affect. Results suggest that mindfulness meditation is beneficial for improving 4th-grade students’ mood and brain regions associated with mood. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Postpartum Depression (PPD) affects approximately 15% of Canadian mothers. PPD can have negative and enduring consequences for women and their relationships with their partners and children. Women who have suffered from PPD are 50% more likely to experience depression following delivery of another child. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) was developed to prevent relapse in recurrent depression. MBCT has been reported to be effective in the treatment of both depression and anxiety among at risk samples from the general and clinical populations. It is not clear whether the approach is a safe and acceptable preventive option to deliver to pregnant women who are at risk for developing PPD. Objectives: The aim of my study was to explore the safety, acceptability, and effectiveness of MBCT for pregnant women who experienced difficult mood after a previous childbirth. Method: I used a mixed methods design and recruited 5 participants from the Victoria community. Participants were at least 18 years of age, native English speakers, pregnant and had experienced difficult mood for at least two consecutive weeks within the first year following the previous delivery of a healthy infant. All participants completed the slightly modified 8-week MBCT program. I administered self-report, quantitative measures at baseline (T1), before and immediately after each group, and postintervention (T2). I collected qualitative data as weekly field notes, through a semi-structured focus group one week following completion of the program, and as comments participants provided on the self-report WC-DM measure. Findings: Quantitative findings suggest program safety; speak to the acceptability of the program; and suggest that MBCT was effective in significantly decreasing anxiety symptomology, decreasing self-reported worry about difficult mood, and increasing wellbeing for pregnant women with a history of difficult postpartum mood. Field notes, focus group data, and comments participants provided on the self-report WC-DM measure contribute to and explain quantitative findings and support MBCT as a safe, acceptable, and effective approach for this population. / Graduate / 0519 / katya@uvic.ca

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2005. / Supervisors: Kristin D. Neff and Stephanie S. Rude. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that can impair physical, psychological and social functioning. A sub-population of people living with psoriasis believe that psychological stress exacerbates their physical symptoms. Stress may exacerbate psoriasis via a psychoneuroimmunological pathway. The cortisol awakening response can be used to indicate whether this pathway is functional or dysfunctional. People with psoriasis have an elevated risk of emotional distress (anxiety and depression) and an impaired quality of life. Mindfulness based cognitive therapy has been effective in reducing stress, emotional distress, quality of life impairment as well as improving physical health. The aim of this thesis is to examine the efficacy and acceptability of mindfulness-based intervention for people living with psoriasis and whether the cortisol awakening response mediates the relationship between perceived stress and physical severity of psoriasis. This thesis adopted a mixed-methods design. A pilot, randomised control trial examined the effects of mindfulness based cognitive therapy upon the physical severity, perceived stress, emotional distress, quality of life and cortisol awakening response of people living with psoriasis. These variables were entered into a correlation analysis to examine whether the cortisol awakening response was associated with any of the reported study outcomes (physical severity, perceived stress, emotional distress and quality of life). Completers of the mindfulness intervention were invited to a semi-structured interview to explore the characteristics of the participants who adhered to the intervention and their experiences of participating. The mindfulness intervention significantly improved physical (z=1.96, p=0.05) and quality of life (z=2.30, p=0.02) measurements without changing perceived stress (z=0.07, p=0.94), emotional distress (z=1.60, p=0.12) or cortisol awakening responses (z=-0.33, p=0.74). The overall cortisol awakening response was not associated with physical severity (r=-0.30, p=0.07) or perceived stress (r=-0.20, p=0.25) but was significantly correlated with emotional distress (r=-0.35, p=0.04). The intervention was perceived as an acceptable adjunct treatment option. Participants reported some process barriers that inhibited their learning of mindfulness skills. A profile emerged that described a sub-population of people with psoriasis. This sub-population may be more likely to accept and adhere to mindfulness based cognitive therapy.This thesis provides preliminary support to the concept that increasing mindfulness skill can reduce the physical severity and quality of life impairment in people with psoriasis. It recommends that a fully powered trial be conducted to examine the effectiveness of mindfulness in improving physical and overall functioning for people with psoriasis. This thesis suggests clinicians screen their patients and offer a psychological intervention best suited to their needs and characteristics.

Anxiety is a high-prevalence disorder, and it is often treated by medication which can be costly, has side effects, and is not available for everyone in need. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) are great alternatives to treat anxiety. Both MBIs are not only more accessible but have no side effects as well. To establish whether MBIs can become a main treatment for anxiety, the associated neural correlates and changes should be investigated further. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate whether neural correlates of MBIs are mainly caused by emotional or attentional neural mechanisms, or if both are involved. There were five studies selected and included according to a set of inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results suggest that MBIs are in fact effective in alleviating anxiety symptoms by enhancing both emotion and attention regulation. However, several of the included studies came with limitations such as having no significance in p-values, no control groups, and small samples. Thus, further research is needed to draw a conclusion on whether MBIs are the best alternative for the alleviation and treatment of anxiety.