Mindfulness Is One of the Most Popular Subjects at Present Time - Essay Example

Mindfulness It is without question that mindfulness is one of the most popular s at present time in the respective fields of psychological research (Brown et al 2007). Warren & Richard (2003) define the term as follows: “Mindfulness is an attribute of consciousness long believed to promote well-being.” (Warren & Richard, 2003, p.822). One of the core reasons for why mindfulness became popular has to do with the associated results. Psychologists found mindfulness was greatly helpful with regards to treating individuals with mental issues, physical health problems or even individuals with behavioural regulation problems; moreover, it also proved useful with regards to addressing issues relating to interpersonal relationships (Brown et al., 2007). According to Brown’s research, mindfulness is a mental process of observing an individual’s internal and external environment. Further, Brown denotes that “ (A) mindful mode of processing involves a receptive state of mind, where inattention is kept to a bare minimum; allowing for registering of the facts observed…”(Brown et al., 2007, p. 212). According to Amishi et al (2007) mindfulness is about being aware of the moment-to-moment experience by focusing one’s senses and being aware of one’s feelings and thoughts at this present time. Mindfulness is expertly described as follows: “Bringing one’s complete attention to the present experience on a moment-to-moment basis” (Marlatt & Kristeller, 1999, p. 68). Based on an interpretation of Roth et al (2004) mindfulness could be describe as “ being in the reality”; thus an individual is aware and self-conscious of their own behaviour, self well being, or healthful functioning. However, most importantly, the individuals who are able to demonstrate mindfulness are able to put self-attention into every day life. Moreover, research showed that by completing the mindfulness- based stress reduction (MBSR) program, people’s energy, creativity and self-confidence increased and they noticed a subsequent reduction of stress in their lives (Roth et al., 2004). One of the most useful measurements that exists with regards to mindfulness is known as the psychometric “Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale” (MAAS). The MASS was made to estimate a core characteristic of mindfulness (Brown & Ryan, 2003). Based on Brown et al. (2007), mindfulness has roots in Buddhism. Moreover Carlson et al. (2004) presented Buddhist “psychology” as something that encourage a human-being to avoid the antagonistic interruption in their live as the interruption causes an individual to generate unreal impressions of the world and self-identity. According to Carlson et al (2004) by living in a world with false perception, an individual creates a barrier from being consciousness of the reality; thus it making an individual generate a false picture of the present. People who are able to have full conscious awareness of their inner world, as well as the outer world , are more likely to accept their defeat and inconveniences and remove those situations from their life by mediation practice (Brown et al. 2007). According to Brown & Ryan et al. (2003) there is a process involving a series of actions; which results an individual manipulating and controlling, or even changing their thoughts and feelings. This process is called self-regulation. Moreover, based on Brown and Ryan et al. (2003), this is the basic psychological concept in self-concept and self-awareness. However, many clinical psychologist state that there is no link between consciousness and self-regulation. In fact mindfulness seems to concentrate on a person’s consciousness and self-regulation. However, many psychological clinicians and researchers claim that consciousness is not linked in any way with attention (Finucane et al., 2006). Moreover Brown et al. (2007) stated that consciousness’s features focus on an individual’s personal knowledge based on the individual’s emotions and memory; rather than only awareness or attention in present time. According to Finucane et al. (2006), a few of mindfulness techniques exist. There is evidence that by using mindfulness Training Programs (MT) or Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Courses (MBSR), individuals are able to reduce the stress by changing their own thoughts, feelings or behaviours for the benefit of improvement attentional skills; as well as quality of their lives. However, according to Amishi (2007), the research uncovered the fact that that in some of the mindfulness techniques reveal different results. In fact the mindfulness training may be more or less beneficial on the improvement in attention’s subsystem (conflict monitoring, orientation or altering). According to Amishi (2007) findings, the mindfulness trainings may vary on the improvement in particular subsystems of attention such as conflict monitoring, orientation and altering. During the study, they examined two types of mindfulness training. The first group: “consisted of individuals naive to mindfulness techniques who participated in an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) course that emphasized the development of concentrative meditation skills” (Amishi, 2007, p.109). The second group: “The other training group consisted of individuals experienced in concentrative meditation techniques who participated in a 1-month intensive mindfulness retreat” (Amishi, 2007, p.109). Evidences from the conducted study showed that the success of training differed from each other because of an individual’s input and response level during the meditation, especially in an individual’s attention skills (Amishi, 2007). From another point of view, based on Brown et al. (2007), the research stated possibility of temporary capability on the person; in case of discontinue mindfulness meditation practice. It was proven that MBSR programs helped people to deal with stress and in the same time help to reduce signs of depression or anxiety. To keep the results of mindfulness meditation (mood improvement, reduced of stress), an individual needs to keep engaging with them (Nyguyen et al., 2007). According to Dobkin (2007), the findings showed that after MSBR, people might find life even more meaningful and manageable. The researcher used questionnaires pre- and post- MBSR. Moreover, the participants were interviewed using the focus group methodologyImprovements of underlying changes during the mindfulness training were measured. Moreover, findings are fit with previous theories; that during MBSR training individuals might “reperceive” experiences they face in everyday life (Shapiro et al., 2007). However findings by Parra-Delgado et al. (2003) concluded the following: “The study findings suggest that depressive symptoms and the impact of the illness were reduced in the MBCT group of women diagnosed with fibromyalgia. These changes were maintained during the 3-month follow up. No significant changes were found in the reduction of intensity of pain” (Parra-Delgado et al., 2003, p.1). Moreover the MCBT was created to support people from relapse depression. Originally MCBT therapy was based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT); thus this is combination of CBT and mindfulness programs and meditation practices. In fact, this complex psychotherapeutic approach helps to diagnosis personal misconceptions; flawed thoughts or dysfunctional emotions in consideration to test behaviour and emotional disorder (Parra-Delgado et al., 2003). Finally, the results proved that MBCT is 50% more effective than traditional Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) (Parra-Delgado et al 2013). However according to Delgado et al. (2003) psychologists stated that it might be difficult to concentrate all attention for an individual within a period of traumatic experiences. This complicates the organisation of people’s conscious minds; not allow people to focus their thoughts just in present excluding reflections from the past, present and future knowledge (Brown et al., 2007). Those findings put the mindfulness practices and the idea of present time orientation aspects in a distinct position (Brown et al., 2007). Brown further believed that past emotions, thought, or experiences affect the present moment even without an individual’s knowledge or consciousness. According to Chatzisarantis and Hagger (2007), research results show that mindfulness is a helpful technique in accordance with an intention-behavior relationship within the theory of planned behavior. The findings are as follows: “(It is) demonstrated that the effects of mindfulness on physical activity were independent of effects observed for habit and variables contained in the theory of planned behaviourand “These results are consistent with our first hypothesis (H1) and suggest that individuals acting mindfully are more likely to enact their intentions than less-mindful individuals…”(Chatzisarantis, Hagger, 2007, p. 663, 668). The findings suggested as well that mindfulness influences counter intentional thoughts. In summary, mindfulness plays an important role in mental-health fields. According to Dobkin (2007), thanks to MBSR, an individual is able to find life more meaningful even after traumatic moments such as cancer. Thus another researcher develops mindfulness meditation technique by combining it with CBT therapy. It helps people with traumatic experience as it is proofed that people with traumatic experiences are more likely to struggle with focusing all their attention in the present moment (Delgado et al., 2003). Most of the researchers findings showed that mindfulness helps “fight” against depression as well as creates ahappier and more easily managed life. However, mindfulness is suggested not only for clinical patients. Moreover, according to Biegiel (2007), mindfulness helps occupational therapists, which are in the high risk of occupationally related psychological problems. Results showed that mindfulness helped them deal with stress more effectively as well as with personal problems. The weaknesses of mindfulness are link with suspend of the mindfulness meditation. An individual needs to practice mindfulness otherwise level of stress or positive mood might decrease. However from another psychological point of view, not connected with mental health but within the research in consciousness fields, there is evidence that mindfulness helps people to gain a level of consciousness control their thoughts and allows for a level of input of thoughts to their mind. Moreover they are even more able to control unconsciousness thoughts or action while practicing mindfulness in their lives. References: Amishi P. J.,Koropinger J., Baime M.,J. “Mindfulness training modifies subsystems of attention”. Cognitive,Affective, & Behavioural Neuroscience.2007.7(2),109-119 Brown K.W., Ryan M., R. “The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being”. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2003. Vol 84(4): 822-848 Brown K.W., Ryan M., R., Creswell J., D. “Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects”. Psychological Injury, 2007. Vol.18,No.4,211-237 Carlson L., E., Speca M., Patel K.D., Goodey E. “Mindfulness-based stress reduction in relation to quality of life, mood, symptoms of stress and levels of cortical, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) and melatonin in breast and prostate cancer outpatients”. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2004. 29(4):448-74 Chatzisarantis N.L.D., & Hagger M.S., “Mindfulness and the Intention-Behavior Relationship Within the Theory of Planned Behavior”. Pers Soc Psychol Bull  2007 33: 663-676, first published on April 17, 2007 Dobkin P., L. “Mindfulness-based stress reduction: What processes are at work?”. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practise, 2008. 14,8-7 Finucane A., Mercer S.,W. “An exploratory mixed methods study of the acceptability and effectiveness of the mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for patients with active depression and anxiety in primary care”, BMC Psychiatry, 2006. 6:14 Hofmann S. G., Asmundson G. J. “Acceptance and mindfulness-based therapy: New wave or old hat? ”. Clinical Psychology Review. 2007. 28: 1-16 Marlatt, G. A., & Kristeller, J. L. “Mindfulness and medi- tation. In W. R. Miller (Ed.)”, Integrating spirituality into treatment: Resources for practitioners (pp. 67-84). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. 1999 Nguyen L., Toneatto T. “Does Mindfulness Meditation Improve Anxiety and Mood Symptoms? A Review of the Controlled Research” . Brief Communication, 2007. Vol. 52, No 4 Parra-Delgado M., Latorre-Postigo J., M., “Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in the Treatment of Fibromyalgia: A Randomised Trial”, Cognitive Therapy and Research, 2013.Vol. 37,Issue 5,pp 1015-1026 Roth B., Robbins D. “Mindfulness based stress reduction and health related quality of life: finding from a bilingual inner-city patient population”, Psychosomatic Medicine, 2004. 66(1):112-23 Shapiro S.L., Kirk Warren Brown K. W., Biegel G.M. “Teaching Self-Care to Caregivers: Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on the Mental Health of Therapists in Training”. Training and Education in Professional Psychology. 2007, Vol. 1, No. 2, 105–115 Read More