Mechanisms of action in the relationship between mindfulness and problem gambling behaviour

Previous studies have found an inverse relationship between mindfulness and problem gambling severity. This paper presents the findings from two studies of treatment seeking problem gamblers designed to explore the role of mindfulness in problem gambling. Treatment-seeking problem gamblers displayed significantly lower mindfulness scores than adult community members and university students. Mindfulness was significantly related to most indices of gambling, and psychological distress was an important mechanism in these relationships. Rumination, emotion dysregulation and thought suppression were also implicated as mediators in the inverse relationship between mindfulness and psychological distress. Taken together, the findings provide theoretical support for existing models of mindfulness which suggest that mindfulness operates by reducing psychological distress through these cognitive mechanisms. They also suggest that mindfulness training may be a new and innovative avenue for therapy to improve treatment effectiveness for problem

Incorporating mindfulness into an internet-based intervention for female sexual dysfunctions

This thesis presents four articles focusing on an online treatment for female sexual dysfunctions (FSDs). The treatment extended prior research by incorporating mindfulness and chat-groups. Article 1 reviews manualised FSD treatments. Articles 2, 3 and 4 present data from the online treatment.

The association between mindfulness and emotional distress in adults with diabetes: could mindfulness serve as a buffer? Results from Diabetes MILES: the Netherlands

People with diabetes have a higher risk of emotional distress (anxiety, depression) than non-diabetic or healthy controls. Therefore, identification of factors that can decrease emotional distress is relevant. The aim of the present study was to examine (1) the association between facets of mindfulness and emotional distress; and (2) whether mindfulness might moderate the association between potential adverse conditions (stressful life events and comorbidity) and emotional distress. Analyses were conducted using cross-sectional data (Management and Impact for Long-term Empowerment and Success-Netherlands): 666 participants with diabetes (type 1 or type 2) completed measures of mindfulness (Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-Short Form; FFMQ-SF), depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire; PHQ-9), and anxiety symptoms (General Anxiety Disorder assessment; GAD-7). Hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed significant associations between mindfulness facets (acting with awareness, non-judging, and non-reacting) and symptoms of anxiety and depression (β = -0.20 to -0.33, all p < 0.001). These mindfulness facets appeared to have a moderating effect on the association between stressful life events and depression and anxiety (all p < 0.01). However, the association between co-morbidity and emotional distress was largely not moderated by mindfulness. In conclusion, mindfulness is negatively related to both depression and anxiety symptoms in people with diabetes and shows promise as a potentially protective characteristic against the influence of stressful events on emotional well-being. © 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York.

The influence of mindfulness meditation on angry emotions and violent behavior on Thai technical college students

Introduction: Violence among technical college students is a significant issue in Thailand, South East Asia, and yet few interventions are available for use with this group. In this study the outcomes of a culturally appropriate intervention, mindfulness meditation (MM), on anger and violent behavior are reported. The MM intervention was delivered over three consecutive weeks to technical college students (n = 40) and the effects compared to a comparison group (n = 56) who attend classes as usual. Methods: Both the intervention and comparison group completed a series of validated self-report measures on aggressive and violent behavior perpetration and victimization on three occasions (pre-intervention, 1 month and 3 month post-intervention). Results: Program participants reported lower levels of anger expression at one month follow-up, but there were no observed group. ×. time interactions for self-reported violent behavior. Rates of victimization changed over time, with one interaction effect observed for reports of being threatened. Conclusions: MM may have the potential to improve emotional self-control, but is likely to only impact on violent behavior when this is anger mediated.

Online mindfulness-based intervention for late-stage bipolar disorder: pilot evidence for feasibility and effectiveness

OBJECTIVES: People in the late stage of bipolar disorder (BD) experience elevated relapse rates and poorer quality of life (QoL) compared with those in the early stages. Existing psychological interventions also appear less effective in this group. To address this need, we developed a new online mindfulness-based intervention targeting quality of life (QoL) in late stage BD. Here, we report on an open pilot trial of ORBIT (online, recovery-focused, bipolar individual therapy). METHODS: Inclusion criteria were: self-reported primary diagnosis of BD, six or more episodes of BD, under the care of a medical practitioner, access to the internet, proficient in English, 18-65 years of age. Primary outcome was change (baseline - post-treatment) on the Brief QoL.BD (Michalak and Murray, 2010). Secondary outcomes were depression, anxiety, and stress measured on the DASS scales (Lovibond and Lovibond, 1993). RESULTS: Twenty-six people consented to participate (Age M=46.6 years, SD=12.9, and 75% female). Ten participants were lost to follow-up (38.5% attrition). Statistically significant improvement in QoL was found for the completers, t(15)=2.88, 95% CI:.89-5.98, p=.011, (Cohen׳s dz=.72, partial η(2)=.36), and the intent-to-treat sample t(25)=2.65, 95% CI:.47-3.76, (Cohen׳s dz=.52; partial η(2)=.22). A non-significant trend towards improvement was found on the DASS anxiety scale (p=.06) in both completer and intent-to-treat samples, but change on depression and stress did not approach significance. LIMITATIONS: This was an open trial with no comparison group, so measured improvements may not be due to specific elements of the intervention. Structured diagnostic assessments were not conducted, and interpretation of effectiveness was limited by substantial attrition. CONCLUSION: Online delivery of mindfulness-based psychological therapy for late stage BD appears feasible and effective, and ORBIT warrants full development. Modifications suggested by the pilot study include increasing the 3 weeks duration of the intervention, adding cautions about the impact of extended meditations, and addition of coaching support/monitoring to optimise engagement.

The association between types of eating behaviour and dispositional mindfulness in adults with diabetes. Results from Diabetes MILES. The Netherlands.

Although healthy food choices are important in the management of diabetes, making dietary adaptations is often challenging. Previous research has shown that people with type 2 diabetes are less likely to benefit from dietary advice if they tend to eat in response to emotions or external cues. Since high levels of dispositional mindfulness have been associated with greater awareness of healthy dietary practices in students and in the general population, it is relevant to study the association between dispositional mindfulness and eating behaviour in people with type 1 or 2 diabetes. We analysed data from Diabetes MILES - The Netherlands, a national observational survey in which 634 adults with type 1 or 2 diabetes completed the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (to assess restrained, external and emotional eating behaviour) and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-Short Form (to assess dispositional mindfulness), in addition to other psychosocial measures. After controlling for potential confounders, including demographics, clinical variables and emotional distress, hierarchical linear regression analyses showed that higher levels of dispositional mindfulness were associated with eating behaviours that were more restrained (β = 0.10) and less external (β = -0.11) and emotional (β = -0.20). The mindfulness subscale 'acting with awareness' was the strongest predictor of both external and emotional eating behaviour, whereas for emotional eating, 'describing' and 'being non-judgemental' were also predictive. These findings suggest that there is an association between dispositional mindfulness and eating behaviour in adults with type 1 or 2 diabetes. Since mindfulness interventions increase levels of dispositional mindfulness, future studies could examine if these interventions are also effective in helping people with diabetes to reduce emotional or external eating behaviour, and to improve the quality of their diet.

Coaching for mindfulness and wisdom in complex environment

The primary objective for this paper is to build a compendium for a systemic intervention program for managers working in high-reliability organizations on an offshore rig. The second objective is then to work as a coach for these managers.

The relationship between eating behavior and psychological distress among overweight and obese people: is there a role for mindfulness?

This research based on 3 indipendent studies, sought to explore the nature of the relationship between overweight/obesity, eating behaviors and psychological distress; the construct of Mindful eating trough the validation of the Italian adaptation of the Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ); the role of mindfulnessand mindful eating as respectively potential mediator and moderator between overeating behavior (binge eating and emotional overeating) and negative outcomes (psychological distress, body dissatisfaction). All the samples were divided in normal weight, overweight and obese according to BMI categories. STUDY1: In a sample of 691 subjects (69.6% female, mean aged 39.26 years) was found that BMI was not associated with psychological distress, whereas binge eating increases the psychopathological level. BMI and male gender represent negative predictors of psychological distress, but certain types of overeating (i.e., NES/grazing, overeating during or out of meals, and guilt/restraint) result as positive predictors.. STUDY 2 : A sample of 1067 subjects (61.4% female, mean aged 34 years) was analized. The Italian MEQ resulted in a 26-item 4-factor model measuring Disinhibition, Awareness, Distraction, and Emotional response. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were acceptable MEQ correlated positively with mindfulness (FMI) and it was associated with sociodemographic variables, BMI, meditation. type of exercise and diet. STUDY 3, based on a sample of 502 subjects (68.8% female, mean aged 39.42 years) showed that MEQ and FMI negatively correlated with BES, EOQ, SCL-90-R, and BIAQ. Obese people showed lower level of mindful eating and higher levels of binge eating, emotional overeating, and body dissatisfaction, compared to the other groups Mindfulness resulted to partially mediates the relationship between a) binge eating and psychological distress, b) emotional overeating and psychological distress, c) binge eating and mental well-being, d) emotional overeating and menal well-being. Mindful eating was a moderator only in the relationship between emotional overeating and body dissatisfaction.