More and more people are affected by stress in their work lives, and it is in society’s interest to decrease the levels of stress [15]. There are several approaches that can be used to reduce stress, such as bodily exercises, digital aids, psychological treatment programs, or relaxation exercises. A new psychological program called Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), originally used to prevent relapses in depression, can also help to treat stress. However, not much research has been conducted on the effects of MBCT to treat stress, and even less on how to design for web solutions for this treatment. The aim of this study is to investigate and explore how web solutions for mindfulness-based cognitive therapy used to treat stress can be designed, with the research question Based on an informed understanding of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, how might we, from a design perspective, design a novel web application for it? To investigate this, a research through design approach was used, and the method “future workshop” for the evaluation of the design prototype. The results of this study suggest that when designing websites for MBCT treatments, the most important features to include are visual representations of the patient’s progress and regulated home assignments. The visual representations should show the correlation between stressors and mood, and the regulation would provide assurance to the therapist that the patient does the home assignments. However, more research should be done to further explore the design space in web solutions for mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. / Fler och fler människor påverkas av stress på sina arbeten och det ligger i samhällets intresse att minska stressnivåerna [15]. Det finns flera tillvägagångssätt att minska stress, som exempelvis att göra kroppsliga övningar, använda digitala hjälpmedel, psykologiska behandlingsprogram eller avslappningsövningar. Ett nytt psykologiskt program kallat mindfulnessbaserad (medveten närvaro) kognitiv terapi (MBCT), ursprungligen använt för att förhindra återfall av depression, användas också för att behandla stress. Däremot har det inte gjorts mycket forskning om MBCT:s effekter för att behandla stress, och än mindre om hur man kan designa webblösningar för denna behandling. Målet för denna studie är att undersöka och utforska hur man kan designa webblösningar för mindfulnessbaserad kognitiv terapi som används för att behandla stress med frågeställningen Baserat på befintlig information om mindfulnessbaserad kognitiv terapi, hur kan man, från ett designperspektiv, designa en ny webbapplikation för den? För att undersöka det användes det iterativa tillvägagångssättet ”research through design” och metoden ”future workshop” för att utvärdera designprototypen. Denna studies resultat föreslår att de viktigaste funktionerna att inkludera i designandet av hemsidor för MCBCT-behandlingar är visuella representationer av patientens utveckling, samt reglerade hemuppgifter. De visuella representationerna borde visa korrelationen mellan stressorer och humör, och regleringen skulle garantera terapeuten att patienten gör hemuppgifterna. Däremot bör mer forskning göras för att ytterligare utforska designområdet inom webbaserade lösningar för mindfulnessbaserad kognitiv terapi.

The present study applies Driver and Gottman’s (2004a) Turning System to observations of the therapeutic relationship in a quasi-experimental between and within groups design. A sample of 63 full counseling sessions (21 first sessions with clients who return for four sessions, 21 first sessions for clients who terminate therapy prior to four sessions, and 21 fourth sessions) were collected from a university counseling center in South Florida. Clients and clinicians also completed self report evaluations of the therapeutic relationship that were also included in this study (Working Alliance Inventory – Short Form, and the Real Relationship Inventory). A series of multivariate analysis of the variance (MANOVA) tests were performed to assess for significant differences in Turning System behavior between return and dropout groups in the first sessions of therapy, as well as for significant differences between return groups’ first and fourth sessions. Correlation analyses were run for client and therapist self report data and Turning System codes. Overall, the Turning System codes did not predict attrition from therapy; however, significant effects were found for specific behaviors in the return versus dropout comparisons, including client’s uses of negative bids, high level questions, and preoccupied away responses. The Turning System also did not predict clear differences between behaviors in ongoing therapy, though significant effects were again found for individual behaviors enacted by both clients and therapists. Significant negative correlations were also found for return group clients between specific behaviors and ratings of the therapeutic alliance, such as high level questions and preoccupied away responses. Individual behaviors in the therapist return group, such as high level questions, negative bids, and interruptions, correlated negatively with ratings of the therapeutic alliance. The results of this study are presented in an effort to synthesize the data into a narrative for developing effective therapeutic relationships and guidance for future research. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

An important area of research is emerging for adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) with respect to the challenges they face in their social relationships. Social relationships include those that are romantic in nature such as dating, cohabitation and marriage. Researchers suggest that engaging in a healthy and happy romantic relationship has many physical and mental health benefits that contribute to improved quality of life. This study used a quasi-experimental group design to explore the effects of psychoeducation for adults with ASD. Study participants were assigned to one of two group conditions. One group received the Relationship Enhancement®(RE) program and the other received RE with supplements targeting specific social skills. Social skills, empathy and social support were measured pre and post intervention for participants both within and between groups. Significant differences were found in the assessment of all participants, in both groups, as measured by t-tests and effect sizes in the variables of social skills (t(37)=- 2.28-2.72, p=.028-.029, η2=.122) and empathy (t(37)=-2.31, p=.027, η2=.123). These differences indicate that all participants, in both groups improved in social skills and empathy from pre to post treatment. No significant differences were found among all group participants for the variable of social support. There were no significant differences between groups for the three variables measured (p>0.05). Overall, these results provide support for the use of RE and the targeted supplements to increase social skills and empathy among adults with ASD who are interested in engaging in romantic relationships. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Existing research has supported mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) as an efficacious intervention for depressive relapse prevention, finding it comparable – if not even more effective at times – to antidepressant medication maintenance and other psychoeducational active control conditions. In light of bicultural populations being under-addressed in previous MBCT research, this study will attempt to examine whether bicultural-specific psychological mechanisms, specifically bicultural self-efficacy, will moderate mindfulness for depressive relapse. It will also examine mindfulness as a determining factor in preventing depressive relapse compared to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a treatment of comparable design without mindfulness implementation. Seven hundred and forty-seven Asian American participants previously diagnosed with clinical depression will be randomly assigned to undergo MBCT or CBT treatment. Results will indicate that participants undergoing mindfulness training through MBCT will have significantly lowered rates of depressive relapse, compared to participants undergoing CBT training as a control intervention. Bicultural self-efficacy will also act as a moderator for mindfulness, further promoting the effectiveness of mindfulness in MBCT.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 78-84).

The evidence base for Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is growing, but there is a lack of experimental validation among populations with acquired brain injuries (ABI). The purpose of this study was to investigate the acceptability and effectiveness of MBCT in fostering psychological recovery among adults with ABI. More specifically, this study was conducted to:(a) extend Finucane and Mercer’s (2006) study by applying MBCT to another population (i.e., adults with ABI); (b) corroborate the Bedard et al. (2008) finding of MBCT’s effectiveness in reducing depression in adults with TBI; (c) establish if empirical findings of the effectiveness of MBCT on depression and anxiety in the general population and in primary care patients with active symptoms of depression and anxiety extended to adults with ABI; and (d) explore the effect of MBCT treatment on measures of locus of control, satisfaction with life, self-awareness, and coping in adults with ABI. A mixed methods design was used and participants were recruited from two community-based brain injury programs. The final sample comprised 12 adults with mild, moderate, and severe injuries. Interview and self-report measures were administered pre- and post-treatment. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured focus groups following MBCT treatment. Depression, denial, and self-awareness among participants showed statistically significant improvements and participants’ demonstrated statistically significant increases in positive reframing and active coping. Focus group data confirmed MBCT as an acceptable and effective approach for adults with ABI, and also speak to implications for the use of MBCT in ABI populations specifically. The need for a larger replication study with a control group is discussed. / Graduate

M.A. (Clinical Psychology) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Background: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a group of chronic gastrointestinal diseases with a relapsing nature. The two main types are Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Both CD and UC patients experience very similar and distressing symptoms: acute abdominal pain, vomiting, malnutrition, fever, fatigue, diarrhoea and rectal bleeding. These symptoms are disabling and have a severe impact on physical and psychosocial wellbeing. Around 30% of patients suffer from moderate to severe psychological distress and have difficulties coping with the illness even in remission. However, it appears that mental health is overlooked by clinicians who often focus on physical gastrointestinal symptoms only. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is evidence based, group psychological intervention that has been successful in reducing depression and anxiety scores in patients with depression while improving overall quality of life. However, MBCT has never been tested in the IBD population before. PhD question: Can MBCT be used as an adjunct therapy to IBD symptom management, for improving IBD patients' general well-being and quality of life? Aims and objectives: The overall aim of the thesis was to develop and collate the evidence for a definitive randomised controlled trial (RCT) testing the effectiveness of MBCT for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The thesis brings together six publications. The six publications were integrated into four objectives that collectively contributed in answering the overall PhD question. Results: The findings from the first three publications highlighted the disease-related concerns and psychological needs for patients with IBD. The findings from the last three publications highlighted how feasible it is to use MBCT in IBD and emphasised the IBD patients’ perspectives about MBCT. Conclusion: The thesis concluded that a definitive RCT of MBCT for IBD patients is both feasible and acceptable.

Mindfulness – nonjudgmental awareness of the present moment - has recently garnered significant attention in psychological literature for decreasing clinical symptoms. Certain personality traits such as emotionality, however, can predict higher levels of anxiety and depression. The present study examines whether mindfulness mediates the relationship between personality traits and perceived stress and depression in nonclinical populations. A total of 321 participants from two samples—American and Japanese undergraduates —self-reported scores on measures of mindfulness, personality, perceived stress and depression. Cross-cultural comparisons following measurement invariance tests also allow for insight into the definition of mindfulness, especially given the Eastern religion origin of mindfulness. Results demonstrate that mindfulness partially mediates the relationships between personality clinical symptoms, particularly for extraversion and conscientiousness. These results can play an important role for developing mindfulness-based treatment and prevention programs and bridge an important gap between Western conceived and Eastern religion mindfulness. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Thesis (Master of Military Studies)-Marine Corps Command and Staff College, 2008. / Title from title page of PDF document (viewed on: Feb 2, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.