Mindfulness

Nonattachment Predicts Empathy, Rejection Sensitivity, and Symptom Reduction After a Mindfulness-Based Intervention Among Young Adults with a History of Childhood Maltreatment Abstract Objectives Individuals with a childhood maltreatment history tend to have various psychological symptoms and impaired social functioning. This study aimed to investigate the related therapeutic effects of a mindfulness-based intervention in this population. Methods We analyzed self-report questionnaire scores of the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Non-Attachment Scale (NAS), Adult Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (A-RSQ), Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), PTSD Checklist (PCL), and Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI), from 16 (3 males) young adults (age range 22–29) with mild to moderate childhood maltreatment, compared with 18 matched participants (6 males) on a waiting list, during both pre- and post-intervention/waiting periods. Analyses were conducted with linear mixed effects models, partial correlation analyses, and t tests. Results There were group by time interaction effects with the scores of MAAS, NAS, PCL, IRI-Fantasy, and A-RSQ (p < 0.05). The mindfulness group had significant increase in MAAS (17.325%) and NAS (8.957%) scores, as well as reduction in PCL (15.599%) and A-RSQ (23.189%) scores (p < 0.05). Changes in nonattachment, but not mindfulness, had significant contributions to the score changes of PCL (16.375%), ASI (36.244%), IRI-Personal Distress (24.141%), IRI-Empathic Concern (16.830%), and A-RSQ (10.826%) (p < 0.05). The number of intervention sessions attended was correlated with score changes of NAS (r = 0.955, p < 0.001) and ASI (r = − 0.887, p < 0.001), suggesting a dose-dependent effect. Conclusions Findings from this pilot study suggest that the mindfulness-based intervention improved mindfulness, nonattachment, and empathy, which contributed to reduced interpersonal distress, rejection sensitivity, and other psychological symptoms.

Dying Before You Die—Deux

The Mediating Role of Parenting Stress in the Relationship Between Anxious and Depressive Symptomatology, Mothers’ Perception of Infant Temperament, and Mindful Parenting During the Postpartum Period Abstract Objectives To investigate whether mindful parenting differs according to maternal anxious and/or depressive symptomatology and mothers’ perception of infant temperament and to explore the potential mediating role of parenting stress in the relationship between anxious and depressive symptomatology, perception of infant temperament, and mindful parenting. Methods The sample comprised 560 mothers (18–46 years) with a child 12 months old or younger, who completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Parental Stress Scale and the Interpersonal Mindfulness in Parenting Scale—Infant version. Results Approximately 22.1% of the mothers presented clinically significant anxious and depressive symptomatology levels. Those mothers had significantly higher levels of parenting stress and lower levels of mindful parenting than mothers with normal levels of anxious and depressive symptomatology. Mothers who perceived their infant temperament as difficult had significantly higher levels of parenting stress and lower levels of mindful parenting than those who perceived their infant temperament as easier. A path model was tested through structural equation modeling. Parenting stress mediated the relationship between anxious and depressive symptomatology and mothers’ perception of infant temperament and mindful parenting. Conclusions Parenting stress seems to be an important mechanism explaining the associations between maternal anxious and depressive symptomatology, the perception of infant temperament, and mindful parenting. During the postpartum period, it is important to identify mothers with anxious/depressive symptomatology, as they appear to contribute to parenting stress and to be related to parenting skills. Psychological interventions may focus on reducing that symptomatology and parenting stress and promoting mindful parenting skills.

Brief Mindfulness-Based Interventions in a Laboratory Context: a Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials Abstract Objectives Brief mindfulness-based interventions conducted in laboratory context have increased in recent years as a novel form of intervention. However, there are no reports of their association with improved psychological health. The main objective of the present study was to systematically review the evidence from randomized controlled trials in a laboratory context of the relationship between brief mindfulness interventions and psychological outcomes. Methods MEDLINE, Scopus, Open Gray, Psycinfo, Web of Science, Proquest, and the Cochrane Database were searched for relevant publications from inception to March 2019. Search terms included (a) brief mindfulness, and (b) laboratory setting. Results A total of 4799 studies were reviewed, 19 of which were finally included, only three conducted in a clinical population. All the included studies were from the last decade. A total of 19 psychological variables were included, among which are anxiety, positive affect or distress. The studies differ in the type of intervention, the duration of the intervention and the type of variable studied. Conclusions Brief mindfulness interventions need to be examined with greater rigor in their application. In order to reach relevant conclusions regarding their implementation, consensus must be reached regarding the type of intervention, settings, timing and target population.

Efficacy of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation-Enhanced Mindfulness-Based Program for Chronic Pain: a Single-Blind Randomized Sham Controlled Pilot Study Abstract Objectives Chronic pain impacts approximately 100 million adults in the USA. Mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) are effective behavioral treatments for chronic pain, yet the effects tend to be small. The current study was designed to assess whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) could enhance learning of mindfulness skills (primary outcome) in an MBP among adults with chronic pain. We also examined whether MBP + tDCS resulted in improvements in pain acceptance, pain coping, and physical health (secondary outcomes). Methods A single blind randomized controlled trial was used to examine the effectiveness of active tDCS (2.0 mA)-enhanced MBP compared to sham tDCS (0.1 mA)-enhanced MBP for adults with chronic pain. Participants (N = 47) were diagnosed with chronic pain and were recruited from the community. Self-report measures of mindfulness, pain, and physical health were completed at baseline and end of treatment. Participants were randomized to active or sham tDCS of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC). Participants were blind to tDCS condition and all participants received a group MBP for eight bi-weekly, 2-hour sessions over 4 weeks. Results There were no main effects of active tDCS on primary or secondary outcomes. Those who received active tDCS as compared with sham tDCS and who attended more treatment sessions, reported significantly higher rates of mindfulness and greater overall physical health after participating in a group MBP. Conclusions This study advances our knowledge of behavioral interventions for chronic pain by testing a novel combination intervention that may help those struggling with pain.

Applying Generalizability Theory to Differentiate Between Trait and State in the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) Abstract Objectives Accurate evaluation of mindfulness-based training requires understanding of the differences between state and trait changes, and the Generalizability Theory (G-Theory) is the most appropriate method to differentiate these aspects in a measure. The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) is widely used measure of dispositional mindfulness, but its ability to accurately capture stable aspects of mindfulness has not been rigorously investigated using appropriate methodology. Method G-Theory was applied to differentiate between trait and state aspects of mindfulness and to examine temporal reliability of the FFMQ in a sample of 83 participants who completed the scale at three occasions separated by 2-week intervals. Results The total 39-item FFMQ and its short version FFMQ-18 have demonstrated good reliability in measuring trait mindfulness with G coefficients of 0.89 and 0.75, respectively, while individual facet subscales of the FFMQ appeared less reliable in measuring either trait or state. Subsequent analysis attempted to combine the FFMQ items that were least stable over time into a state mindfulness subscale. However, this did not result in acceptable psychometric properties for such a state subscale. Conclusions The findings of this study indicate that reliable measurement of stable aspects of mindfulness can be achieved by using the full FFMQ scale or its short version FFMQ-18 with scores generalizable across sample population and occasions. The scores obtained on individual facet subscales of the FFMQ predominantly measuring trait mindfulness, but their reliability is affected by measurement error due to interaction between person, item, and occasion.

Any Ideal of Practice is Just Another Fabrication

Arrogance and Entitlement

Randye J. Semple, and Christopher Willard: The Mindfulness Matters Program for Children and Adolescents: Strategies, Activities, and Techniques for Therapists and Teachers . Guilford Publications, New York, NY, 2019

Implementation and Dissemination of Mindfulness-Based Interventions