ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is theorized to be reinforced by its emotional consequences. Mental images of NSSI are commonly reported as occurring prior to NSSI. Based on the known functional properties of anticipatory mental imagery as an emotional and motivational amplifier, this study investigated whether NSSI mental imagery constitutes a proximal and dynamic mechanism underpinning NSSI risk. METHOD: An intensive ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study was conducted to track the occurrence and characteristics of NSSI mental imagery alongside NSSI urge and behavior in naturalistic settings. A sample of N = 43 individuals aged 17 to 24 with a history of repetitive NSSI completed EMA surveys seven times a day for 14 days. RESULTS: Mental preoccupation in the form of NSSI mental imagery-based flash-forwards to the actions, bodily sensations, and emotional benefits of NSSI was found to occur when NSSI urge was high but not when urge was low. Critically, objective cross-panel analyses showed that higher frequencies of NSSI imagery occurrence predicted greater future NSSI urge and increased likelihood of acting on urge, over and above current urge. CONCLUSIONS: Mental imagery of NSSI is not simply an epiphenomenal by-product of NSSI urge and may constitute a dynamic and proximal novel intervention target.
ABSTRACT
Among the many social and emotional learning (SEL) interventions available, mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have become increasingly popular, particularly for preadolescent children who were once thought to not possess the metacognitive abilities or cognitive resources to benefit from such training. Although previous research syntheses indicate that MBIs show promise in promoting positive outcomes across a range of domains, the effectiveness of MBIs for preadolescent children may be masked by the effects of older children who have comprised the majority of samples in past meta-analyses. Hence, to better understand the impact of mindfulness-based training on preadolescent children (ages 6-12 years), the present study reviewed treatment effect estimates across a range of outcomes, including mindfulness, attention, metacognition and cognitive flexibility, emotional and behavioral regulation, academic achievement and school functioning, positive emotion and self-appraisal, negative emotion and subjective distress, externalizing problems, internalizing problems, social competence and prosocial behavior, and physical health. Thirty-two studies (nparticipants = 3640) were identified and included in a random-effects meta-analyses. The results from multiple meta-analytical analyses conducted in the present study suggest that preadolescents have experienced significant benefits across attention, emotional and behavioral regulation, positive emotion and self-appraisal, and social competence and prosocial behavior (g = 0.19 to 0.39). However, the overall effect was deemed small (g = 0.34). Due to the lack of comparison studies with SEL interventions, it remains unclear whether MBIs are as effective as traditional approaches in promoting healthy development and academic achievement for preadolescent children. Additionally, results from the present meta-analysis suggest various recommendations for future studies to ensure a continued growth in understanding how MBIs can be used with children.
Subject(s)
Mindfulness , Child , Humans , Cognition , Educational Status , Emotions , Mindfulness/methods , SchoolsABSTRACT
Despite the increasing number of studies examining the effects of mindfulness interventions on symptoms associated with Bipolar Disorder (BD), the effectiveness of this type of interventions remains unclear. The aim of the present systematic review was to (i) critically review all available evidence on Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) as a form of intervention for BD; (ii) discuss clinical implications of MBCT in treating patients with BD; and (iii) provide a direction for future research. The review presents findings from 13 studies (N = 429) that fulfilled the following selection criteria: (i) included BD patients; (ii) presented results separately for BD patients and control groups (where a control group was available); (iii) implemented MBCT intervention; (iv) were published in English; (v) were published in a peer reviewed journal; and (vi) reported results for adult participants. Although derived from a relatively small number of studies, results from the present review suggest that MBCT is a promising treatment in BD in conjunction with pharmacotherapy. MBCT in BD is associated with improvements in cognitive functioning and emotional regulation, reduction in symptoms of anxiety depression and mania symptoms (when participants had residual manic symptoms prior to MBCT). These, treatment gains were maintained at 12 month follow up when mindfulness was practiced for at least 3 days per week or booster sessions were included. Additionally, the present review outlined some limitations of the current literature on MBCT interventions in BD, including small study sample sizes, lack of active control groups and idiosyncratic modifications to the MBCT intervention across studies. Suggestions for future research included focusing on factors underlying treatment adherence and understanding possible adverse effects of MBCT, which could be of crucial clinical importance.
ABSTRACT
Neuropathic pain (NP) is a debilitating chronic pain state that affects approximately 6-8% of the general population. Limited success in pharmacological treatments has led to the rise of psychological therapy in attempts to reduce pain intensity. One such therapy is Mindfulness: a meditative practice concerned with purposeful and non-judgemental awareness of the present moment. Whilst Mindfulness has demonstrated its effectiveness in alleviating symptoms of a number of psychological disorders and symptoms of chronic pain, little evidence is available to determine whether its practice is associated with improvements in pain intensity in individuals suffering from NP. The following is a case study of a 62-year-old female (LU), who for the past 18 years has experienced chronic Neuropathic Pain (NP) as a result of a stroke. The current study examined the relationship between 12 weeks of daily Mindfulness practice and immediate, short-term and long-term self-reported pain levels. An additional goal was to explore the impact of Mindfulness on psychological functioning and well-being following the 12-week period of Mindfulness practice. LU showed a clinically meaningful reduction in pain immediately following Mindfulness practice. An overall reduction in Continuous, Neuropathic and Affective type pain was observed at post intervention but was not maintained at follow up. The results of the psychological functioning and well-being measures were mixed, with a notable reduction in in the domains of emotional reactivity, depression and stress. These results provide preliminary support for the use of Mindfulness in managing chronic pain of a neuropathic nature. The results are discussed in relation to practice factors (AU)
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