這項研究利用多角度方法，去探索簡短靜觀訓練對因被排斥而導致的心理困擾有否影響;更會將靜觀訓練與自律鬆弛法和控制組作比較。本實驗的參加者包括了161名香港中文大學的本科生和研究生。並用了Cyberball遊戲去模擬社會排斥。所有參加者被隨機分成三組: 1) 靜觀、 2) 自律鬆弛、 3) 控制組。我根據他們的生理反應測量 (如皮膚電導、心率), 混合動機任務，隱含測試(i.e. lexical decision task)，和自我評估去度量情緒困擾、互動模式、對自己和他人的態度、和在靜觀能力及態度的改變。 本實驗採用了生理反應測量 (如皮膚電導, 心率), 混合動機任務、隱含測試、和自我報告去評估幾方面的反應:情緒困擾、 與別人互動樣式、對自己和他人的態度、和靜觀能力的改變。結果顯示，靜觀組 的自尊心和存在意義感相比其他兩組高; 然而，靜觀組和自律鬆弛組之間沒有顯著差異。在靜觀的改變上，我們使用兩套問卷: （一）Southampton Mindfulness Questionnaire (SMQ), （二）Self-Other Four Immeasurables (SOFI) 。結果顯示，靜觀組在 SOFI Positive-Self 方面有明顯的提升; 而在SOFI Positive-Other能維持不變，相反其他兩組就有顯著的下降。可是，SMQ 和 SOFI問卷的其餘部分 (例如：SOFI Negative-Self, SOFI-Negative-Other)，沒有發現顯著的組間差異。除了採用兩份靜觀問卷外，我也使用了Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) 來測量慈心品性對結果的影響。結果顯示，性格較為靜觀及慈心的人, 沒有那麽容易受排斥而引至有不良影響。有趣的是，不同層次的靜觀性格和自我慈悲能有不同的訓練受益。例如，慈心的人在靜觀後會更為慷慨。然而，對於那些SOFI Negative-Other 低分的人，在靜觀後會減少對別人指責的傾向。可是，其他結果 (例如: 混合動機任務、隱含測試 ) ，卻找不到跨組的差異。在生理反應測量方面，結果便與預期不太一致: 靜觀組和自律鬆弛組的皮膚電導，在post-Cyberball 期間甚至比控制組為高; 而其他時段則找不到跨組間差異。在這篇文章的總結中，我也提到這個實驗之不足之處以及可以改善的方法。總括而言，雖然實驗結果所發現的成效不是太明顯，但我們不能忽視靜觀簡化版本的實用價值。尤其是對那些被邊緣化的人來說，簡化版本能使他們更容易參與訓練並從中受益。在文章的末尾，我會提及更具體的意義和建議，希望能對今後的研究有所影響。 / This study utilized the experimental multimodal approach to explore the effectiveness of brief mindfulness training in reducing the psychological distress induced by ostracism, comparing with brief relaxation training and no intervention control. Participants included 161 undergraduate and graduate students from CUHK. Cyberball game paradigm was used to simulate social exclusion. All participants were randomized into 3 groups: 1) meditation, 2) relaxation, 3) no intervention control. Physiological measures (i.e., skin conductance, heart rate), mixed-motive task, and implicit test (i.e. lexical decision task), and self-reports were used to assess emotional distress, interactions styles, attitudes toward self and others, and change in mindfulness. Results indicated that meditation group expressed higher level of self-esteem and sense of meaningful existence despite of social rejection in comparison with no intervention control. However, there was no significant difference between meditation and relaxation group. In terms of the mindfulness qualities as measured by Southampton Mindfulness Questionnaire (SMQ) and Self-Other Four Immeasurables (SOFI), meditation group reported greater enhancement in SOFI Positive-Self, while other two groups remain statistically unchanged. For SOFI Positive-Other, only meditation group remained as positive as before while other two groups dropped. However, the result from other mindfulness measurement (i.e. SMQ) and dimensions (i.e. SOFI Negative-Self, SOFI Negative-Other) revealed no significant group difference. In addition to the two mindfulness scales, the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) was also used to capture the baseline self-compassion disposition. Correlational result showed that, being more mindful and self-compassionate was in general associated with feeling less threatened by the exclusion task. Interestingly, people of various levels of mindfulness and self-compassion could benefit from mindfulness training differently. For example, participants who were more self-compassionate would display more generous behavior only if they were in meditation group. However, for those who scored low on baseline SOFI Negative-Other, meditation reduced their tendency to blame others. Contrary to expectation, no statistically significant difference was found across conditions in implicit self-other attitudes and interaction styles. For physiological arousal, no significant cross group difference was identified with the exception of during the post-Cyberball period, in which skin conductance was significantly higher for meditation and relaxation groups relative to no-intervention control. . Limitations in the Cyberball manipulation and intervention implementation were noted, which may impact the study findings. In sum, despite the small effect observed in the mindfulness training condition, the practical value of an abbreviated mindfulness format cannot be ignored, particularly for the socially ostracized population whom may not have the luxury to experience the full-scale mindfulness training. More specific implications and suggestions for future research were discussed. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Chan, Tsz Ying Amy. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 73-79). / Abstracts also in Chinese; appendix A includes Chinese. / Abstract --- p.iv / Introduction --- p.1 / Stigmatization and Ostracism --- p.1 / Ways to Combat Stigma --- p.2 / Existing Efforts --- p.2 / Mindfulness Mechanism in Reducing the Negative Impacts of Being Socially Excluded --- p.3 / What is Mindfulness? --- p.3 / Suggested Mechanism on How Mindfulness Deals with Ostracism --- p.7 / Mindfulness Based Approach --- p.9 / Evidence of Mindfulness on Stigma Reduction --- p.10 / Constraint Of Current Mindfulness Intervention --- p.11 / Objectives of This Study --- p.13 / Main Hypothesis --- p.13 / Hypothesis 1 --- p.14 / Hypothesis 2 --- p.15 / Hypothesis 3 --- p.15 / Hypothesis 4 --- p.15 / Hypothesis 5 --- p.16 / Method --- p.17 / Pilot --- p.17 / Participants --- p.17 / Measures --- p.17 / Screening Measure --- p.17 / Baseline Measure --- p.18 / Procedure --- p.22 / Result --- p.28 / Hypothesis 1.1: Meditation Group Has the Lowest Physiological Arousal (i.e. HR, SC) Followed by Relaxation and Control Groups during and after Cyberball Game --- p.29 / Hypothesis 1.2: Meditation Group was Least Threatened by the Social Exclusion Effect of the Cyberball Game, Followed by Relaxation and Control. --- p.31 / Hypothesis 1.3: Meditation Group had the Most Positive Attitude and Least Negative Attitude toward Self and Other, Followed by Relaxation and Control. --- p.32 / Hypothesis 2: Meditation Group was the Most Mindful, Measured by SMQ and SOFI, Followed by Relaxation and Control Groups. --- p.33 / Hypothesis 3 Meditation Group has the Most Positive Communication Style (3.1) and Give the Largest Amount of Points to Opponents (3.2), Followed by Relaxation and Control Groups --- p.36 / Hypothesis 4: Mindfulness Trait’s Interaction with Group Assignment in Affecting Outcomes --- p.36 / Correlational Analysis --- p.36 / Group X Baseline Mindfulness Interaction Effect --- p.39 / Hypothesis 5: Trait Self-Compassion’s Interaction with Group Assignment in Affecting Outcomes --- p.41 / Discussion 43 / Was the Brief Mindfulness Training Successful in Reducing the Negative Effect of Ostracism? --- p.43 / Decrease in Physiological Arousal --- p.43 / Stronger Resilience toward Ostracism? --- p.44 / Does Mindfulness Increase Selfless Behavior? --- p.45 / Implicit Attitudes toward Self and Others --- p.46 / Was Brief Mindfulness Session Successful in Improving Mindfulness? --- p.47 / How Does the Mindfulness and Self-Compassionate Predisposition Affect One’s Receptivity toward Brief Mindfulness Training? --- p.48 / Limitations --- p.50 / Implications and Conclusion --- p.52 / APPENDIX A --- p.57 / Instruction for meditation group --- p.57 / Instruction for relaxation group --- p.60 / APPENDIX B --- p.64 / DASS 21 --- p.64 / APPENDIX C --- p.65 / Self-Compassion Scale (26 Items) --- p.65 / APPENDIX D --- p.66 / Southampton mindfulness questionnaire (SMQ) 16 item --- p.66 / APPENDIX E --- p.67 / Self-Other Four Immeasurable (SOFI) --- p.67 / APPENDIX F --- p.68 / Assessment of manipulations, need satisfaction, and mood following ostracism (31 items) --- p.68 / APPENDIX G --- p.70 / Communication Checklist-Key --- p.70 / REFERENCES --- p.72

Access to abstract permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Department of Psychological Science