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Tendhar T, Marcotte MA, Bueno de Mesquita P, Saikia MJ. Online Video-Mediated Compassion Training Program for Mental Health and Well-Being of University Students. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:1033. [PMID: 38786443 PMCID: PMC11120825 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12101033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
College students experiencing psychological distress have significantly greater negative emotions than students who practice compassionate thinking. We have developed Eight Steps to Great Compassion (ESGC), an innovative brief and no-cost online video training program about how to increase compassion among busy and young adult university students. To examine the effectiveness and benefits of the ESGC, a single-group pre-test-post-test quantitative design with undergraduate university students (N = 92; Mage = 20.39) evaluated its effects. The results from the post-test showed that the ESGC had a significant positive impact on increased feelings of compassion towards oneself, compassion for others, and the sense of personal well-being from the pre-test. The analysis of the PERMA-Profiler subscales also reflected a statistically significant increase in overall well-being and health and a decrease in negative emotions and loneliness. From the Post-Survey Lesson Feedback, 88% of the participants reported significant positive changes in themselves and the way that they live due to the program. These findings appear to show important implications for improving healthy minds and reducing negative emotions among university students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thupten Tendhar
- Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA; (T.T.)
| | | | - Paul Bueno de Mesquita
- Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA; (T.T.)
| | - Manob Jyoti Saikia
- Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
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Panagou C, Macbeth A. Trajectories of risk and resilience: The role of empathy and perceived social support in the context of early adversity. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2024; 153:106811. [PMID: 38703490 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence overwhelmingly suggests that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is a risk factor for poor mental health outcomes. However, the specific mechanisms via which ACEs confer an increased risk of psychopathology are less well understood. OBJECTIVE The study modelled the effect of empathy and perceived social support (PSS) on mental health outcomes in a mixed clinical and non-clinical population, within the context of exposure to ACEs. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING A total of 575 participants (comprising a treatment-receiving and community-based sample), aged 18 to 65 completed self-report measures assessing early adversity, PSS, empathy, and mental health outcomes. METHODS Multiple mediation analyses were used to investigate whether empathy and PSS mediated the relationship between self-reported ACEs and mental health outcomes, and whether affective and cognitive empathy affected differentially the link between emotional neglect and psychological distress. RESULTS Results revealed a statistically significant indirect effect of ACEs on adult mental health through affective empathy and PSS. Emotional neglect was the only type of adversity significantly correlated with both dimensions of empathy. The indirect effect of emotional neglect on mental health outcomes via cognitive and affective empathy was also statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Study results highlight the role of affective empathy and PSS as transdiagnostic mechanisms influencing the pathway between early adversity and adult mental health, and the importance of taking these into account when designing interventions aiming to promote well-being among those who have experienced childhood adversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinna Panagou
- Clinical Psychologist & Clinical Fellow in Psychological Therapies, The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
| | - Angus Macbeth
- Clinical Psychologist & Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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Wesarg-Menzel C, Gallistl M, Niconchuk M, Böckler A, O'Malley B, Engert V. Compassion buffers the association between trauma exposure and PTSD symptom severity: Findings of a cross-sectional study. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 165:107036. [PMID: 38642476 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
To advance intervention science dedicated to improve refugees' mental health, a better understanding of factors of risk and resilience involved in the etiology and maintenance of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is needed. In the present study, we tested whether empathy and compassion, two trainable aspects of social cognition related to health, would modulate risk for PTSD after war-related trauma. Fifty-six refugees and 42 migrants from Arabic-speaking countries reported on their trauma experiences, PTSD symptoms, and perceived trait empathy and compassion. They further completed the EmpaToM, a naturalistic computer task measuring behavioral empathy and compassion. Moderation analyses revealed that behavioral, but not self-reported compassion was a significant moderator of the trauma-PTSD link. Trauma was more strongly related to PTSD symptoms when individuals had low (β =.59, t = 4.27, p <.001) as compared to high levels of behavioral compassion. Neither self-reported nor behavioral empathy moderated the trauma-PTSD link (β =.24, t = 1.57, p =.120). Findings indicate that the ability to go beyond the sharing of others' suffering and generate the positive feeling of compassion may support resilience in the context of trauma and subsequent development of PTSD. Hence, compassion may be a suitable target for prevention and intervention approaches reducing PTSD symptoms after trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Wesarg-Menzel
- Social Stress and Family Health Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany; Institute for Psychosocial Medicine, Psychotherapy and Psychooncology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller University, Jena, Germany.
| | - Mathilde Gallistl
- Social Stress and Family Health Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Anne Böckler
- Department of Psychology, Würzburg University, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Bonnie O'Malley
- Social Stress and Family Health Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Veronika Engert
- Social Stress and Family Health Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany; Institute for Psychosocial Medicine, Psychotherapy and Psychooncology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller University, Jena, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), partner site Halle-Jena-Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Intervention and Research in adaptive and maladaptive brain Circuits underlying mental health (C-I-R-C), Halle-Jena-Magdeburg, Germany
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Abstract
PURPOSE This paper outlines the theoretical and empirical basis for compassion focused therapy (CFT) for psychosis, the gaps in the current knowledge and research, as well as some of the challenges for addressing gaps. It will guide the direction of future work and the steps needed to develop and advance this approach. METHOD This paper reviews evidence of how evolutionary models such as social rank theory and attachment theory have greatly contributed to our understanding of psychosis and provide a clear rationale and evidence base for the mechanisms of change in CFT for psychosis. It reviews the evidence for outcomes of compassion training more generally, and early feasibility evaluations of CFT for psychosis. RESULTS The process evidence shows that people with psychosis have highly active social rank and threat systems, and the benefits of switching into attachment and care systems, which can support emotion regulation and integrative mind states. The outcomes evidence shows that compassion training impacts not only psychological outcomes, but also physiological outcomes such as neural circuits, immune system, and the autonomic nervous system. Within the psychosis field, outcomes research is still in the early days, but there are good indications of feasibility and a clear path forward for the next steps. CONCLUSIONS CFT for psychosis is an approach that integrates biopsychosocial processes, an integration that's evidenced across each aspect of the model, from theoretical foundations (evolution-informed) to interventions (e.g., body/breath training and relational techniques), to evaluation. Future RCTs are required to understand the effects on biopsychosocial outcomes for people with psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Heriot-Maitland
- Balanced Minds, London, UK
- King's College London, London, UK
- University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Lains I, Johnson TJ, Johnson MW. Compassionomics: The Science and Practice of Caring. Am J Ophthalmol 2024; 259:15-24. [PMID: 37923101 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2023.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To summarize the scientific evidence that compassion can measurably improve patient outcomes, health care quality and safety, and the well-being of health care providers, and to consider specific strategies for cultivating compassion and better communicating it to patients. DESIGN Perspective. METHODS We selectively reviewed the literature on compassion in health care, including obstacles to its expression and the demonstrated effects of provider compassion on patient outcomes, health care quality and cost, and provider well-being. We also review evidence regarding the trainability of compassion, discuss proven methods for cultivating individual compassion, and recommend strategies for incorporating it into routine medical practice. RESULTS Compassion is the emotional response to another's pain or suffering, accompanied by a desire to alleviate it. Review of the literature shows that compassionate health care measurably improves physical and psychological patient outcomes, increases patient adherence, improves health care quality and safety, increases financial margins, and prevents physician burnout. Psychophysiological research shows that empathy and compassion can be actively cultivated through intentional practice. Validated models of compassion-based interactions can facilitate the consistent expression of compassion in daily medical practice. CONCLUSIONS Given its many proven benefits to patients, health care organizations, and providers, compassion should be cultivated by health care providers and systems and considered an essential component of optimal medical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Lains
- From the Massachusetts Eye and Ear (I.L.), Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Taylor J Johnson
- University of Utah School of Medicine (T.J.J.), Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Mark W Johnson
- W.K. Kellogg Eye Center (M.W.J.), Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
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Riordan KM, Simonsson O, Frye C, Vack NJ, Sachs J, Fitch D, Goldman RI, Chiang ES, Dahl CJ, Davidson RJ, Goldberg SB. How often should I meditate? A randomized trial examining the role of meditation frequency when total amount of meditation is held constant. J Couns Psychol 2024; 71:104-114. [PMID: 38376930 PMCID: PMC10883600 DOI: 10.1037/cou0000725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Meditation apps are the most commonly used mental health apps. However, the optimal dosing of app-delivered meditation practice has not been established. We examined whether the distribution of meditation practices across a day impacted outcomes in a distressed population. We investigated the effects of meditation practice frequency in a 2-week compassion-based meditation intervention delivered via the Healthy Minds Program app. Undergraduates with clinically elevated depression and/or anxiety (N = 351) were randomized to a massed (one 20-min meditation per day) or distributed condition (two 10-min meditations per day). Psychological distress (primary outcome; composite of depression and anxiety), experiential avoidance, fear of missing out, loneliness, and self-compassion were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Psychological distress, loneliness, and informal meditation practice were also assessed daily. Practice time and frequency were assessed using app data. Results support feasibility of the study design, success of the manipulation, and acceptability of the intervention. Pooled across conditions, participants exhibited pre-post improvements on all outcomes (absolute value of ds = 0.12-0.63, p ≤ .010) and trajectories of improvement on daily distress and loneliness (p ≤ .010). No between-group differences were observed on changes in pre-post or daily measures (ps = .158-.729). When total amount of meditation practice per day is held constant, the distribution of practice may not influence outcomes for distressed beginners. Although only a first test of dose frequency effects, findings support flexibility in the distribution of meditation throughout the day, which may increase accessibility. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M. Riordan
- Center for Healthy Minds; University of Wisconsin – Madison; Madison, WI
- Department of Counseling Psychology; University of Wisconsin – Madison; Madison, WI
| | - Otto Simonsson
- Center for Healthy Minds; University of Wisconsin – Madison; Madison, WI
- Department of Sociology, University of Oxford; Oxford, England
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience; Karolinska Institute; Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Corrina Frye
- Center for Healthy Minds; University of Wisconsin – Madison; Madison, WI
| | - Nathan J. Vack
- Center for Healthy Minds; University of Wisconsin – Madison; Madison, WI
| | - Jane Sachs
- Center for Healthy Minds; University of Wisconsin – Madison; Madison, WI
| | - Dan Fitch
- Center for Healthy Minds; University of Wisconsin – Madison; Madison, WI
| | - Robin I. Goldman
- Center for Healthy Minds; University of Wisconsin – Madison; Madison, WI
| | - Evelyn S. Chiang
- Department of Psychology; University of North Carolina – Asheville; Asheville, NC
| | - Cortland J. Dahl
- Center for Healthy Minds; University of Wisconsin – Madison; Madison, WI
| | - Richard J. Davidson
- Center for Healthy Minds; University of Wisconsin – Madison; Madison, WI
- Department of Psychology; University of Wisconsin – Madison; Madison, WI
- Department of Psychiatry; University of Wisconsin – Madison; Madison, WI
| | - Simon B. Goldberg
- Center for Healthy Minds; University of Wisconsin – Madison; Madison, WI
- Department of Counseling Psychology; University of Wisconsin – Madison; Madison, WI
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Urrutia J, Anderson BT, Belouin SJ, Berger A, Griffiths RR, Grob CS, Henningfield JE, Labate BC, Maier LJ, Maternowska MC, Weichold F, Yaden DB, Magar V. Psychedelic Science, Contemplative Practices, and Indigenous and Other Traditional Knowledge Systems: Towards Integrative Community-Based Approaches in Global Health. J Psychoactive Drugs 2023; 55:523-538. [PMID: 37747281 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2023.2258367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
As individuals and communities around the world confront mounting physical, psychological, and social threats, three complimentary mind-body-spirit pathways toward health, wellbeing, and human flourishing remain underappreciated within conventional practice among the biomedical, public health, and policy communities. This paper reviews literature on psychedelic science, contemplative practices, and Indigenous and other traditional knowledge systems to make the case that combining them in integrative models of care delivered through community-based approaches backed by strong and accountable health systems could prove transformative for global health. Both contemplative practices and certain psychedelic substances reliably induce self-transcendent experiences that can generate positive effects on health, well-being, and prosocial behavior, and combining them appears to have synergistic effects. Traditional knowledge systems can be rich sources of ethnobotanical expertise and repertoires of time-tested practices. A decolonized agenda for psychedelic research and practice involves engaging with the stewards of such traditional knowledges in collaborative ways to codevelop evidence-based models of integrative care accessible to the members of these very same communities. Going forward, health systems could consider Indigenous and other traditional healers or spiritual guides as stakeholders in the design, implementation, and evaluation of community-based approaches for safely scaling up access to effective psychedelic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Urrutia
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Prisons Group Legal Clinic, Universidad de los Andes Medical School, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Brian T Anderson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sean J Belouin
- United States Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Rockville, MD, USA
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), DHHS, Rockville, MD, USA
- Office of Science and Medicine, DHHS, Washington, DC, USA
- Office of the Assistant Secretary, DHHS, Washington, DC, USA
- Pain and Palliative Care, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ann Berger
- Pain and Palliative Care, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Roland R Griffiths
- Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Charles S Grob
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA
| | - Jack E Henningfield
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Research, Health Policy and Abuse Liability, Pinney Associates, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | - M Catherine Maternowska
- Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Frank Weichold
- Office of the Chief Scientist, Office of the Commissioner, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - David B Yaden
- Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Veronica Magar
- (formerly) Office of the Director General, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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Heriot‐Maitland C, Gumley A, Wykes T, Longden E, Irons C, Gilbert P, Peters E. A case series study of compassion-focused therapy for distressing experiences in psychosis. BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 2023; 62:762-781. [PMID: 37635319 PMCID: PMC10946731 DOI: 10.1111/bjc.12437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Compassion-focused therapy (CFT) is an evolution-informed biopsychosocial approach that seeks to cultivate attachment and care motivational systems and their psychophysiological regulators. These can counteract some of the harmful effects of social threat, inferiority, shame, self-criticism and depression, which are common in people with psychosis and undermine their well-being, social trust and ability to feel safe. This study aimed to test the acceptability of a novel manualized individual CFT intervention for psychosis (CFTp). DESIGN A non-concurrent, multiple-baseline, case series design, with three phases: baseline, intervention and follow-up. METHODS The 26-session CFTp intervention was provided for a sample of eight people with distressing psychotic experiences and a psychosis-related diagnosis. The study aimed to assess acceptability of CFTp and to test clinically reliable improvements while receiving the intervention, compared to a baseline period. RESULTS Seven of eight participants completed the therapy, and clinically reliable improvements were found at both the single-case and group level of analysis. At the single-case level, over half the participants showed improvements in depression (5/7), stress (5/7), distress (5/7), anxiety (4/7) and voices (3/5). One participant showed a deterioration in anxiety (1/7) and dissociation (1/7). At the group level (n = 7), there were significant improvements in depression, stress, distress, voices and delusions. The improvements in voices, delusions and distress were sustained at 6- to 8-week follow-up, but depression and stress dropped slightly to trend-level improvements. CONCLUSIONS CFTp is a feasible and acceptable intervention for psychosis, and further investigation is warranted with a randomized controlled trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Heriot‐Maitland
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
- Glasgow Mental Health Research FacilityUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - Andrew Gumley
- Glasgow Mental Health Research FacilityUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - Til Wykes
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Eleanor Longden
- Psychosis Research UnitGreater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustManchesterUK
- Division of Psychology and Mental HealthThe University of ManchesterManchesterUK
- Complex Trauma and Resilience Research UnitGreater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustManchesterUK
| | | | - Paul Gilbert
- Centre for Compassion Research and Training, College of Health, Psychology and Social CareUniversity of DerbyDerbyUK
- The Compassionate Mind FoundationDerbyUK
| | - Emmanuelle Peters
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
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Cernadas Curotto P, Halperin E, Sander D, Klimecki O. Getting closer: compassion training increases feelings of closeness toward a disliked person. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18339. [PMID: 37884610 PMCID: PMC10603062 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45363-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Evidence-based interventions to favor more harmonious interactions in difficult relationships remain scarce. This study examined whether compassion training may have beneficial effects in an ongoing tense relationship with a disliked person, by reducing schadenfreude toward them and increasing felt interpersonal closeness. 108 participants were assigned to one of three 5-week trainings in a longitudinal randomized controlled study: compassion training, reappraisal training (emotion regulation control condition), or Italian language training (neutral active control condition). The disliked person was not targeted during the trainings to test potential transfer effects. Misfortune scenarios and a measure of interpersonal closeness were used to test whether schadenfreude and closeness feelings toward a disliked person changed from pre- to post-training, across different experimental and control groups. Only compassion and reappraisal trainees reported a decrease of schadenfreude feelings toward the disliked person compared to their pre-training ratings, no changes were observed in the Italian language training. Importantly, feelings of closeness toward the disliked person increased in the compassion training group compared to the other two groups. This increase of closeness feelings could be a central mechanism for improving social interactions. These transfer effects open new perspectives concerning emotion regulation interventions in conflict resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Cernadas Curotto
- Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Chemin des Mines 9, 1202, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Laboratory for the Study of Emotion Elicitation and Expression, Department of Psychology, University of Geneva, Boulevard du Pont d'Arve 40, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Eran Halperin
- Psychology of Intergroup Conflict and Reconciliation Laboratory, Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - David Sander
- Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Chemin des Mines 9, 1202, Geneva, Switzerland
- Laboratory for the Study of Emotion Elicitation and Expression, Department of Psychology, University of Geneva, Boulevard du Pont d'Arve 40, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Olga Klimecki
- Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Chemin des Mines 9, 1202, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Developmental Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Friedrich Schiller Universität Jena, Am Steiger 3, Haus 1, 07743, Jena, Germany
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Gilbert P, Basran JK, Plowright P, Gilbert H. Energizing compassion: using music and community focus to stimulate compassion drive and sense of connectedness. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1150592. [PMID: 37868612 PMCID: PMC10586219 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1150592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives The last 20 years have seen considerable research on the nature and biopsychosocial impacts of compassion training on self and others. This training is usually focused on calming and slowing the mind and body and on individual imagery practices and mantras. This study explored the effects of three variations: 1. The impact of using energizing music to generate activation and "drive" for compassion; 2. To focus on imagining "breathing in and breathing out a white light or mist of compassion" to bring compassion to the world; and 3. While listening to energizing music, participants were guided to imagining connecting to the compassion (Sangha) community, imagining oneself as linking with others as part of communities seeking to help the world. Methods From approximately 1,600 members of the Compassionate Mind discussion list, participants were invited to take part in a new energizing focused self-practice study. The study involved listening to recorded guidance on the evolutionary model of compassion and the need to address the potentially harmful side of our nature. This was followed by a 4 1/2-min tonglen-informed guided practice of breathing in and breathing out compassion accompanied by energizing music. Forty-three participants completed several self-report scales measuring compassion orientation, wellbeing, social safeness, and positive affect before and following 2 weeks of practice. Participant experiences were recorded from 6 open explorative questions. Results Self-report measures taken before and following 2 weeks of practice revealed significant increases in self-compassion, compassion to others, openness to compassion from others, activated positive affect, safe positive affect, social safeness, and wellbeing, with the largest effect size relating to compassion for the self (d = -0.76). In addition, qualitative data revealed that the participants had experienced the practice as energizing, inspiring, and felt socially connected and that it had significant impacts on other aspects of their lives. Some participants noted that engaging with suffering also stimulated sadness. Conclusion This study found that pairing energizing music with breathing practices and specific compassion visualizations, focusing on the desire to bring compassion to the world and be part of a compassionate community, was well-accepted and had a range of significant positive impacts. This study indicates the potential value of exploring energizing in comparison to the more standard soothing and settling practices as ways of stimulating the biopsychosocial processes of compassion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Gilbert
- Centre for Compassion Research and Training, College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby, United Kingdom
- The Compassionate Mind Foundation, Derby, United Kingdom
| | - Jaskaran Kaur Basran
- Centre for Compassion Research and Training, College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby, United Kingdom
- The Compassionate Mind Foundation, Derby, United Kingdom
| | | | - Hannah Gilbert
- The Compassionate Mind Foundation, Derby, United Kingdom
- University of Roehampton, London, United Kingdom
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Berryman K, Lazar SW, Hohwy J. Do contemplative practices make us more moral? Trends Cogn Sci 2023; 27:916-931. [PMID: 37574378 DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2023.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Contemplative practices are a staple of modern life and have historically been intertwined with morality. However, do these practices in fact improve our morality? The answer remains unclear because the science of contemplative practices has focused on unidimensional aspects of morality, which do not align with the type of interdependent moral functioning these practices aspire to cultivate. Here, we appeal to a multifactor construct, which allows the assessment of outcomes from a contemplative intervention across multiple dimensions of moral cognition and behavior. This offers an open-minded and empirically rigorous investigation into the impact of contemplative practices on moral actions. Using this framework, we gain insight into the effect of mindfulness meditation on morality, which we show does indeed have positive influences, but also some negative influences, distributed across our moral functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Berryman
- Monash Centre for Consciousness & Contemplative Studies, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Sara W Lazar
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jakob Hohwy
- Monash Centre for Consciousness & Contemplative Studies, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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Wilson-Mendenhall CD, Dunne JD, Davidson RJ. Visualizing Compassion: Episodic Simulation as Contemplative Practice. Mindfulness (N Y) 2023; 14:2532-2548. [PMID: 37982041 PMCID: PMC10655951 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-022-01842-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Contemplative interventions designed to cultivate compassion are receiving increasing empirical attention. Accumulating evidence suggests that these interventions bolster prosocial motivation and warmth towards others. Less is known about how these practices impact compassion in everyday life. Here we consider one mechanistic pathway through which compassion practices may impact perception and action in the world: simulation. Evidence suggests that vividly imagining a situation simulates that experience in the brain as if it were, to a degree, actually happening. Thus, we hypothesize that simulation during imagery-based contemplative practices can construct sensorimotor patterns in the brain that prime an individual to act compassionately in the world. We first present evidence across multiple literatures in Psychology that motivates this hypothesis, including the neuroscience of mental imagery and the emerging literature on prosocial episodic simulation. Then, we examine the specific contemplative practices in compassion-based interventions that may construct such simulations. We conclude with future directions for investigating how compassion-based interventions may shape prosocial perception and action in everyday life.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John D. Dunne
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Asian Languages and Cultures, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Richard J. Davidson
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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13
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Zadina JN. The Synergy Zone: Connecting the Mind, Brain, and Heart for the Ideal Classroom Learning Environment. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1314. [PMID: 37759915 PMCID: PMC10526388 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13091314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper proposes a new perspective on implementing neuroeducation in the classroom. The pandemic exacerbated the mental health issues of faculty and students, creating a mental health crisis that impairs learning. It is important to get our students back in "the zone", both cognitively and emotionally, by creating an ideal learning environment for capturing our students and keeping them-the Synergy Zone. Research that examines the classroom environment often focuses on the foreground-instructors' organizational and instructional aspects and content. However, the emotional climate of the classroom affects student well-being. This emotional climate would ideally exhibit the brain states of engagement, attention, connection, and enjoyment by addressing the mind, brain, and heart. This ideal learning environment would be achieved by combining proposed practices derived from three areas of research: flow theory, brain synchronization, and positive emotion with heart engagement. Each of these enhances the desired brain states in a way that the whole is greater than the sum of the individual parts. I call this the Synergy Zone. A limitation of this proposed model is that implementation of some aspects may be challenging, and professional development resources might be needed. This essay presenting this perspective provides the relevant scientific research and the educational implications of implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet N Zadina
- Brain Research and Instruction, New Orleans, LA 70002, USA
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14
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Di Bello M, Giudetti F, Palani S, Petrocchi N, McIntosh R, Ottaviani C. Modulatory effects of transcranial direct current stimulation of right insula on compassion motivation. Int J Clin Health Psychol 2023; 23:100362. [PMID: 36605771 PMCID: PMC9800245 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijchp.2022.100362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Compassion motivation is associated with increased heart rate variability (HRV), reflecting a calm and self-soothing physiological state. Recent work, however, suggests that this association is dynamic for the specific components of compassion. Objectives The present study adopted anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting the right insula to see whether this would modulate the sensitivity to suffering and the commitment to engage in helpful actions (i.e., the components of compassion motivation). Method Ninety-seven healthy individuals underwent 15-min anodal or sham tDCS over the frontotemporal lobe, while watching a video inducing empathic sensitivity and performing a Redistribution Game. Tonic and phasic HRV, dispositional traits, and momentary affects were assessed. Results Compared to sham condition, anodal stimulation favored significant i) HRV reductions during the video and HRV increases during the Redistribution Game; ii) decreases in self-reported levels of negative affect and increases in positive affect during task when the latter was preceded by the video, without influencing altruistic behavior. Conclusions Anodal tDCS over the right insula may modulate the engagement phase of compassion by intensifying the psychophysiological sensitivity to signals of distress and protecting from being subjectively overwhelmed by it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Di Bello
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Giudetti
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Sowmya Palani
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Petrocchi
- Department of Psychological and Social Sciences, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy
| | - Roger McIntosh
- Department of Psychology, Divisions of Health, Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Miami, FL, USA
| | - Cristina Ottaviani
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
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15
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Nion N, Serresse L, Lavault S, Similowski T. From the sound of breathing to the sound of distress: implications for dyspnoeic patients and their caregivers. Eur Respir J 2023; 62:2300982. [PMID: 37474150 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00982-2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Nion
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, UMRS1158 Neurophysiologie Respiratoire Expérimentale et Clinique, F-75005 Paris, France
- AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Universitaire APHP-Sorbonne Université, site Pitié-Salpêtrière, Département R3S, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Laure Serresse
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, UMRS1158 Neurophysiologie Respiratoire Expérimentale et Clinique, F-75005 Paris, France
- AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Universitaire APHP-Sorbonne Université, Fédération "Soins Palliatifs, Accompagnement et Soins de Support", F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Sophie Lavault
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, UMRS1158 Neurophysiologie Respiratoire Expérimentale et Clinique, F-75005 Paris, France
- AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Universitaire APHP-Sorbonne Université, site Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service de Médecine de Réadaptation Respiratoire, Département R3S, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Thomas Similowski
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, UMRS1158 Neurophysiologie Respiratoire Expérimentale et Clinique, F-75005 Paris, France
- AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Universitaire APHP-Sorbonne Université, Fédération "Soins Palliatifs, Accompagnement et Soins de Support", F-75013 Paris, France
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16
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da Silva CR, Gomes AAD, dos Santos-Doni TR, Antonelli AC, Vieira RFDC, da Silva ARS. Suicide in veterinary medicine: A literature review. Vet World 2023; 16:1266-1276. [PMID: 37577194 PMCID: PMC10421543 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.1266-1276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Veterinarians are commonly exposed to occupational stressors, including excessive workload and financial constraints. These stressors can lead to psychological distress, which typically results in mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and burnout and can even culminate in suicide attempts or suicide deaths. Risk factors associated with poor mental health and high rates of suicide in veterinary practitioners include continuous exposure to challenging scenarios, such as interpersonal conflicts, performing euthanasia, and easy access to lethal means of suicide, such as opioids and anesthetics. The previous studies highlight the urgent need for a better understanding of predisposing factors, mental health-related improvements in the professional environment, and the subsequent establishment of primary mental health-related care policies. Effective ways to promote mental health and prevent suicide may include social support, resilience, developing coping skills, promoting a healthy work environment, and discouraging perfectionist behaviors. This review aimed to summarize findings in studies that have investigated mental health and suicide in veterinarians and veterinary students and highlight measures that could be implemented as options for mental health promotion and suicide prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Rodrigues da Silva
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Campus of Agricultural Sciences, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ana Amélia Domingues Gomes
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Campus of Agricultural Sciences, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Thaís Rabelo dos Santos-Doni
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal do Vale do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Unaí, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Coutinho Antonelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Campus of Agricultural Sciences, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Rafael Felipe da Costa Vieira
- Department of Public Health Sciences, College of Health, and Human Services, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America
- Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Alexandre Redson Soares da Silva
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Campus of Agricultural Sciences, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil
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Balderas J, Bistricky SL, Gimenez-Zapiola M, Pascuzzi B, Millmann M, Short MB. Brief Online Intervention Model Promotes Sustained Helping Behavior Across 6 Months Following a Population-Wide Traumatic Event. Psychol Rep 2023:332941231164071. [PMID: 37079929 DOI: 10.1177/00332941231164071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Following natural disasters, early helping behavior often dissipates despite remaining disaster-related suffering and affective vulnerability in the community. Interventions that have successfully increased helping behaviors have included components of motivational interviewing (MI) and mindful compassion; however, this research is limited by laboratory-based settings and lengthy training sessions. Brief, portable, and efficient intervention is needed to increase accessibility to large groups simultaneously. METHOD The current study piloted a brief, online, self-administered MI and mindful compassion intervention administered 4-10 weeks post-Hurricane Harvey examining if it would sustain helping behaviors over the ensuing year. The study also examined potential moderators of the relationship between compassion for others and internalizing symptoms, and whether helping behaviors predicted post-traumatic stress symptoms. RESULTS The intervention group sustained the use of helping behaviors more than an active control group after 9-12 months. Also, compassion satisfaction and burnout moderated the relationship between compassion for others and post-traumatic stress and depressive symptoms at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest a potentially useful model of how an efficiently distributed intervention might sustain helping behaviors after a natural disaster and provide insight into possible longitudinal risk and protective factors for post-traumatic stress and depressive symptoms among helping volunteers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Balderas
- Department of Psychology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Steven L Bistricky
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston-Clear Lake, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Bailey Pascuzzi
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston-Clear Lake, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Megan Millmann
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston-Clear Lake, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mary B Short
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston-Clear Lake, Houston, TX, USA
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18
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Zheng D, Berry DR, Brown KW. Effects of Brief Mindfulness Meditation and Compassion Meditation on Parochial Empathy and Prosocial Behavior Toward Ethnic Out-Group Members. Mindfulness (N Y) 2023:1-17. [PMID: 37362189 PMCID: PMC10040311 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-023-02100-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2023]
Abstract
Objectives Relative to the tendency to empathize with and help sociocultural in-group members, there are often social and psychological barriers to responding prosocially toward out-group members. This experiment examined the roles of mindfulness instruction and compassion instruction in fostering prosocial behavior toward an ethnic out-group (non-U.S. Arabs) relative to an ethnic in-group (U.S. residents). The study also examined whether contemplative practices would predict less parochial empathy and whether parochial empathy would mediate the relations between mindfulness/compassion and prosocial behavior toward the out-group. Method A national sample of n = 450 U.S. residents was recruited online via the Prolific platform using the standard sample function, which distributed the study to available participants on Prolific. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three brief, structurally equivalent audio-recorded instruction conditions: mindfulness meditation, compassion meditation, or a relaxation control, and then completed a series of tasks to assess prosociality toward in- and out-group members. Results The compassion training was most effective in reducing parochial empathy when controlling for all covariates. The mindfulness training reduced parochial empathy when controlling for in-group empathy, and it led to greater out-group altruism and support for out-group immigration. Parochial empathy predicted out-group altruism; however, it was not a better predictor of support for Arab immigration than trait empathic concern. Training conditions did not differ on support for out-group cause. Exploratory moderation analyses found that those with higher trait empathic concern and intergroup contact quality were more likely to show compassion training and mindfulness training effects, respectively, on support for out-group immigration. Conclusions Brief compassion training had the strongest effect on parochial empathy, but mindfulness training showed stronger effects on out-group altruism and support for out-group immigration. Predisposing social psychological characteristics may enhance intergroup prosociality among those receiving compassion or mindfulness instruction. Preregistration This study is preregistered at https://osf.io/rnc97. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12671-023-02100-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Zheng
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 806 West Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23284 USA
| | - Daniel R. Berry
- Department of Psychology, California State University San Marcos, San Marcos, USA
| | - Kirk Warren Brown
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 806 West Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23284 USA
- Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, USA
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19
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Helminen EC, Scheer JR. Cardiovascular, self-report, and behavioral stress reactivity to the group-based Trier Social Stress Test with pandemic-related protocol adaptations. Int J Psychophysiol 2023; 188:17-23. [PMID: 36935021 PMCID: PMC10022457 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2023.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
Research using stress induction protocols such as the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) and the TSST for groups (TSST-G) during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has been challenging. While institutional review boards have provided guidance on returning to face-to-face research using COVID-19 adaptations (e.g., masking, social distancing), whether these adaptations influence the effectiveness of social-evaluative stress induction remains unknown. We conducted a secondary data analysis from a randomized controlled trial to establish whether using COVID-19 adaptations (i.e., masking, social distancing, and using a single large conference room for the duration of the experiment) to the TSST-G protocol was able to reliably induce stress across cardiovascular, self-report, and behavioral indices of stress. Young adults (N = 53) underwent the TSST-G with COVID-19 adaptations. We measured systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), self-reported, and behavioral responses to the TSST-G, and all variables indicated successful stress induction. Increases in SBP (18 mmHg) and DBP (14 mmHg) were similar in magnitude as those in standard in-person TSST protocols. Increases in HR (9 beats per minute) were smaller in magnitude than standard in-person TSST protocols, but slightly larger than increases documented in remote TSST protocols. The cardiovascular, self-report, and behavioral indices of stress reactivity provide confidence in the effectiveness of TSST-G with COVID-19 adaptations to reliably induce stress. In-person TSST protocols with COVID-19 adaptations represent an alternate option to remote TSST protocols for stress induction researchers to use during times when masking or social distancing are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily C Helminen
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, United States of America; College of Health Science and Technology, Rochester Institute of Technology, United States of America.
| | - Jillian R Scheer
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, United States of America.
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20
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Colaianne BA, Lavelle BD, Small ML, Roeser RW. Cultivating Compassion for Self and Others: A School-Based Pilot Study for Peer-Nominated Caring Adolescents. JOURNAL OF RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE 2023; 33:169-187. [PMID: 35999818 DOI: 10.1111/jora.12795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Many have called for school-based student programs that teach skills related to self-care and caring for others. Here, such a program for peer-nominated adolescents was developed and piloted virtually at one high school during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results of a longitudinal, quasi-experimental evaluation of the program showed high-quality program implementation and promising program impacts. Effect sizes indicated moderate to large program impacts on improvements in adolescents' self-compassion, sense of interdependence, and perspective-taking, and female adolescents' interoceptive awareness, compared to controls. No group differences in compassion for others were found. The need for more research on programs that help adolescents balance compassion for the self and for others is discussed.
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21
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Rashkova Y, Moi L, Cabiddu F. Addressing the Societal Challenges in Organizations: The Conceptualization of Mindfulness Capability for Social Justice. JOURNAL OF BUSINESS ETHICS : JBE 2023; 189:1-20. [PMID: 36846191 PMCID: PMC9942088 DOI: 10.1007/s10551-023-05357-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Social inequalities are partly caused by habitual organizational practices. In this vein, to overcome those, organizations now need to develop new organizational capabilities aimed at enhancing their attention towards societal issues. In our study, we apply the theory of mindfulness to explain how it may help organizations overcome habitual organizing that fuels social inequalities. Guided by the microfoundational perspective of organizational capability, we conceptualize individual characteristics, processes, and structures that collectively form mindfulness capability for social justice. We perceive it as an organizational capability that reflects the extent to which an organization possesses a collective social justice awareness, i.e., awareness of the impact on social justice in society through its organizational practices. We argue that, when adopted by organizations, mindfulness, by increasing the awareness of the organizational impact on society, helps notice, examine, and question the correctness of taken-for-granted organizational practices. From our perspective, this new capability will lead to changes in organizational practices that fuel social inequalities. Our study contributes to the literature on sustainable organizational development and mindfulness research in organizations. Managerial implications and future research directions are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanina Rashkova
- Department of Economics and Business, University of Cagliari (Italy), Viale Sant’Ignazio 74, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Ludovica Moi
- Department of Economics and Business, University of Cagliari (Italy), Viale Sant’Ignazio 74, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Francesca Cabiddu
- Department of Economics and Business, University of Cagliari (Italy), Viale Sant’Ignazio 74, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
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22
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van Baal ST, Verdejo-García A, Hohwy J. Episodic future thinking and compassion reduce non-compliance urges regarding public health guidelines: a randomised controlled trial. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:189. [PMID: 36709249 PMCID: PMC9883827 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15031-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND People often feel urges to engage in activities that violate pandemic public health guidelines. Research on these urges has been reliant on measures of typical behaviour, which fail to capture these urges as they unfold. Guideline adherence could be improved through interventions, but few methods allow for ecologically valid observation of the range of behaviours that pandemic guidelines prescribe. METHODS In this preregistered parallel randomised trial, 95 participants aged 18-65 from the UK were assigned to three groups using blinded block randomisation, and engaged in episodic future thinking (n = 33), compassion exercises (n = 31), or a control procedure (n = 31). Following an ecological momentary assessment procedure, participants report on the intensity of their occurrent urges (min. 1, max. 10) and their ability to control them. The study further investigates whether, and through which mechanism, state impulsivity and vaccine attitudes affect guideline adherence. RESULTS Episodic future thinking (b = -1.80) and compassion exercises (b = -1.45) reduced the intensity of urges. State impulsivity is associated with stronger urges, but we found no evidence that vaccine hesitancy predicts lesser self-control. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that episodic future thinking exercises and compassion training may be used to decrease non-compliance urges of individuals who are an acute public health risk for the community, such as those in voluntary isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon T. van Baal
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Cognition and Philosophy Lab, Monash University, 20 Chancellors Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800 Australia ,grid.7372.10000 0000 8809 1613Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL UK
| | - Antonio Verdejo-García
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, 18 Innovation Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800 Australia
| | - Jakob Hohwy
- Cognition and Philosophy Lab, Monash University, 20 Chancellors Walk, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia. .,Monash Centre for Consciousness & Contemplative Studies, Monash University, 29 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.
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23
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Matos M, McEwan K, Kanovský M, Halamová J, Steindl SR, Ferreira N, Linharelhos M, Rijo D, Asano K, Vilas SP, Márquez MG, Gregório S, Brito-Pons G, Lucena-Santos P, da Silva Oliveira M, de Souza EL, Llobenes L, Gumiy N, Costa MI, Habib N, Hakem R, Khrad H, Alzahrani A, Cheli S, Petrocchi N, Tholouli E, Issari P, Simos G, Lunding-Gregersen V, Elklit A, Kolts R, Kelly AC, Bortolon C, Delamillieure P, Paucsik M, Wahl JE, Zieba M, Zatorski M, Komendziński T, Zhang S, Basran J, Kagialis A, Kirby J, Gilbert P. Improvements in Compassion and Fears of Compassion throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multinational Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1845. [PMID: 36767212 PMCID: PMC9915071 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20031845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
During large-scale disasters, social support, caring behaviours, and compassion are shown to protect against poor mental health outcomes. This multi-national study aimed to assess the fluctuations in compassion over time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Respondents (Time 1 n = 4156, Time 2 n = 980, Time 3 n = 825) from 23 countries completed online self-report questionnaires measuring the flows of compassion (i.e., Compassionate Engagement and Action Scales) and fears of compassion toward self and others and from others (i.e., Fears of Compassion Scales) and mental health at three time-points during a 10-month period. The results for the flows of compassion showed that self-compassion increased at Time 3. Compassion for others increased at Time 2 and 3 for the general population, but in contrast, it decreased in health professionals, possibly linked to burnout. Compassion from others did not change in Time 2, but it did increase significantly in Time 3. For fears of compassion, fears of self-compassion reduced over time, fears of compassion for others showed more variation, reducing for the general public but increasing for health professionals, whilst fears of compassion from others did not change over time. Health professionals, those with compassion training, older adults, and women showed greater flows of compassion and lower fears of compassion compared with the general population, those without compassion training, younger adults, and men. These findings highlight that, in a period of shared suffering, people from multiple countries and nationalities show a cumulative improvement in compassion and reduction in fears of compassion, suggesting that, when there is intense suffering, people become more compassionate to self and others and less afraid of, and resistant to, compassion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Matos
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Kirsten McEwan
- Centre for Compassion Research and Training, College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby DE22 1G, UK
| | - Martin Kanovský
- Institute of Social Anthropology, Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Comenius University, 814 99 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Júlia Halamová
- Institute of Applied Psychology, Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Comenius University, 814 99 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Stanley R. Steindl
- Compassionate Mind Research Group, School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
| | - Nuno Ferreira
- Department of Social Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia 2417, Cyprus
| | - Mariana Linharelhos
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Daniel Rijo
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Kenichi Asano
- Department of Psychological Counseling, Faculty of Psychology, Mejiro University, Tokyo 161-0032, Japan
| | - Sara P. Vilas
- Behavior, Emotions, and Health Research Group, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain
| | - Margarita G. Márquez
- Behavior, Emotions, and Health Research Group, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sónia Gregório
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
- Behavior, Emotions, and Health Research Group, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Brito-Pons
- Escuela de Psicología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Paola Lucena-Santos
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Margareth da Silva Oliveira
- Evaluation and Treatment in Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapies—Research Group (GAAPCC), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90619-900, Brazil
| | | | | | - Natali Gumiy
- Motivación Compasiva, Buenos Aires C1001, Argentina
| | | | - Noor Habib
- Neuroscience Department, Section of Psychiatry and Psychology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC), Jeddah 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reham Hakem
- Neuroscience Department, Section of Psychiatry and Psychology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC), Jeddah 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hussain Khrad
- Neuroscience Department, Section of Psychiatry and Psychology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC), Jeddah 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Alzahrani
- Neuroscience Department, Section of Psychiatry and Psychology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC), Jeddah 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Simone Cheli
- School of Human Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy
| | - Nicola Petrocchi
- Department of Economics and Social Sciences, John Cabot University, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Elli Tholouli
- Center for Qualitative Research in Psychology and Psychosocial Well-Being, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
| | - Philia Issari
- Center for Qualitative Research in Psychology and Psychosocial Well-Being, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
| | - Gregoris Simos
- Department of Educational and Social Policy, University of Macedonia, 546 36 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Ask Elklit
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Russell Kolts
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA 99004, USA
| | - Allison C. Kelly
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Catherine Bortolon
- Laboratoire Inter-Universitaire de Psychologie: Personnalité, Cognition et Changement Social, Grenoble Alpes University, 38400 Grenoble, France
- Centre Hospitalier Alpes Isère, C3R—Réhabilitation Psychosociale et Remédiation Cognitive, 38100 Grenoble, France
| | - Pascal Delamillieure
- CHU de Caen, Service de Psychiatrie Adulte, 14000 Caen, France
- UNICAEN, ISTS, GIP Cyceron, University of Normandy, 76000 Caen, France
| | - Marine Paucsik
- Laboratoire Inter-Universitaire de Psychologie: Personnalité, Cognition et Changement Social, Grenoble Alpes University, 38400 Grenoble, France
| | - Julia E. Wahl
- The Mind Institute Poland, 33-332 Warsaw, Poland
- Institute of Psychology, Department of General Psychology, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, 03-815 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mariusz Zieba
- Institute of Psychology, Department of General Psychology, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, 03-815 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mateusz Zatorski
- Institute of Psychology, Department of General Psychology, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, 03-815 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Komendziński
- Department of Cognitive Science, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Torún, Poland
- Neurocognitive Laboratory, Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Torún, Poland
| | - Shuge Zhang
- School of Human Sciences, University of Derby, Derby DE22 1G, UK
| | - Jaskaran Basran
- Centre for Compassion Research and Training, College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby DE22 1G, UK
| | - Antonios Kagialis
- Department of Social Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia 2417, Cyprus
| | - James Kirby
- Compassionate Mind Research Group, School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
| | - Paul Gilbert
- Centre for Compassion Research and Training, College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby DE22 1G, UK
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Day MA, Matthews N, Davies JN, Walker C, Bray N, Kim J, Jensen MP. Outcome Expectancies, Effects, and Mechanisms of Brief Training in Mindfulness Meditation vs. Loving-Kindness Meditation vs a Control Condition for Pain Management: A Randomized Pilot Study. J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother 2023:1-11. [PMID: 36622873 DOI: 10.1080/15360288.2022.2141944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the analgesic effects of a single session of mindfulness meditation (MM) and loving-kindness meditation (LKM) relative to a control. A total of 100 adults with chronic or current problematic pain completed a survey and were randomized to a 20-minute MM, LKM, or audiobook control. Co-primary outcomes of pain intensity and unpleasantness and mediators of mindfulness and self-compassion were assessed pre- and posttraining. Expectancies were assessed pretraining. Pain type (chronic vs current problematic) was a covariate. Relative to the control, higher expectancies were reported for MM and LKM (P < .001). MM (d = 0.41, P = .032) and LKM (d = 0.38, P = .027) had medium effects on pain intensity, with greater decreases than control (d = 0.05, P = .768). All conditions had small effects on unpleasantness. Mindful observing increased more within MM (d = 0.52, P = .022) and the control (d = 0.50, P = .011) than LKM (d = 0.12, P = .50); self-compassion increased more in LKM (d = 0.36, P = .042) than MM (d = 0.27, P = .201) and the control (d = 0.22, P = .249). The mediation models were nonsignificant. Pain type was a nonsignificant covariate. Overall, MM and LKM were associated with positive expectancies and small-medium pain intensity reductions, which did not differ by pain type. Although MM and LKM were associated with changes in theorized mediators, these changes did not underlie improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A Day
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Natasha Matthews
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jonathan N Davies
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Claire Walker
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nicola Bray
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jeffrey Kim
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mark P Jensen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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25
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Embodied empathy and abstract concepts' concreteness: Evidence from contemplative practices. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2022.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/15/2023]
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Engert V, Klimecki OM, Kanske P. Spreading positive change: Societal benefits of meditation. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1038051. [PMID: 37124270 PMCID: PMC10130585 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1038051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Research over the past decades has revealed a variety of beneficial effects of meditation training. These beneficial effects span the levels of health and well-being, cognition, emotion, and social behavior. Around the same time, sociologists have shown that traits and outcomes on the individual level have the potential to spread in communities over three or more degrees. This means, for example, that changes can spread from one person to the next, and on to yet another person. Here, we propose that meditation-induced changes may likewise spread through the social networks of meditation practitioners. Such spreading may happen by positively influencing others through prosocial actions, improved cognitive functioning, and increased positive affect. Positive affective states and their underlying physiological correlates may also be shared in the literal sense. We argue that the spreading of positive meditation effects could provide the basis for collective responses to some of the urgent challenges we face in our current time and society and call for future meditation research to examine the phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Engert
- Institute of Psychosocial Medicine, Psychotherapy and Psychooncology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
- Social Stress and Family Health Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- *Correspondence: Veronika Engert,
| | - Olga Maria Klimecki
- Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Philipp Kanske
- Social Stress and Family Health Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Kamboj SK, Peniket M, Simeonov L. A bioelectronic route to compassion: Rationale and study protocol for combining transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) with compassionate mental imagery. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282861. [PMID: 36913378 PMCID: PMC10010509 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The vagus nerve (VN) is a neural nexus between the brain and body, enabling bidirectional regulation of mental functioning and peripheral physiology. Some limited correlational findings suggest an association between VN activation and a particular form of self-regulation: compassionate responding. Interventions that are geared towards strengthening self-compassion in particular, can serve as an antidote to toxic shame and self-criticism and improve psychological health. OBJECTIVE We describe a protocol for examining the role of VN activation on 'state' self-compassion, self-criticism, and related outcomes. By combining transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) with a brief imagery-based self-compassion intervention, we aim to preliminarily test additivity versus synergy between these distinct bottom-up and top-down methods for putatively regulating vagal activity. We also test whether the effects of VN stimulation accumulate with daily stimulation and daily compassionate imagery practice. METHODS Using a randomized 2 x 2 factorial (stimulation x imagery condition) design, healthy volunteers (n = 120) receive active (tragus) or sham (earlobe) tVNS plus standardized (audio-recorded) self-compassionate or sham mental imagery instructions. These interventions are delivered in a university-based psychological laboratory in two sessions, one week apart, as well as being self-administered between sessions by participants at home. Pre-stimulation, peri-stimulation and post-imagery measures of state self-compassion, self-criticism and related self-report outcomes are assessed in two lab sessions, separated by a week (Days 1 and 8). Heart rate variability is used as a physiological metric of vagal activity and an eye-tracking task assesses attentional bias to compassionate faces during the two lab sessions. On Days 2-7, participants continue their randomly assigned stimulation and imagery tasks at home, and complete state measures at the end of each remote session. DISCUSSION Demonstrating modulation of compassionate responding using tVNS would support a causal link between VN activation and compassion. This would provide a basis for future studies of bioelectronic approaches to augmenting therapeutic contemplative techniques. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT05441774 (Date: July 1st 2022). OSF REGISTRATION https://osf.io/4t9ha.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunjeev K. Kamboj
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Matthew Peniket
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Louise Simeonov
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Sarling A, Sundin Ö, Åhs F, Gu J, Jansson B. Factor structure and psychometric properties of a Swedish version of the Sussex-Oxford Compassion Scales (SOCS). NORDIC PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/19012276.2022.2156381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jenny Gu
- University of Sussex, United Kingdom
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A Preliminary Assessment of Compassion Fatigue in Chimpanzee Caregivers. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12243506. [PMID: 36552426 PMCID: PMC9774637 DOI: 10.3390/ani12243506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Compassion fatigue is defined as "traumatization of helpers through their efforts at helping others". It has negative effects on clinicians including reduced satisfaction with work, fatigue, irritability, dread of going to work, and lack of joy in life. It is correlated with patients' decreased satisfaction with care. Compassion fatigue occurs in a variety of helping professions including educators, social workers, mental health clinicians, and it also appears in nonhuman animal care workers. This study surveyed caregivers of chimpanzees using the ProQOL-V to assess the prevalence of compassion fatigue among this group. Compassion satisfaction is higher than many other types of animal care workers. Conversely, this group shows moderate levels of burnout and secondary traumatic stress; higher levels than other types of animal care workers and many medical professions. While compassion fatigue has an effect on the caregiver's experience, it has potential to affect animal welfare. Caregivers are an integral part of the chimpanzee social network. Compassion fatigue affects the caregiver's attitude, this could in turn affect the relationship and degrade the experience of care for captive chimpanzees. Compassion fatigue can be mitigated with professional development, mindfulness training, interrelationships among staff, and specialized training. This preliminary assessment indicates the work ahead is educating caregivers about compassion fatigue and implementing procedures in sanctuaries to mitigate burnout and secondary traumatic stress.
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Addiss DG, Richards A, Adiabu S, Horwath E, Leruth S, Graham AL, Buesseler H. Epidemiology of compassion: A literature review. Front Psychol 2022; 13:992705. [DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.992705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychology and neuroscience have contributed significantly to advances in understanding compassion. In contrast, little attention has been given to the epidemiology of compassion. The human experience of compassion is heterogeneous with respect to time, place, and person. Therefore, compassion has an epidemiology, although little is known about the factors that account for spatial or temporal clustering of compassion or how these factors might be harnessed to promote and realize a more compassionate world. We reviewed the scientific literature to describe what is known about “risk factors” for compassion towards others. Studies were included if they used quantitative methods, treated compassion as an outcome, and used measures of compassion that included elements of empathy and action to alleviate suffering. Eighty-two studies met the inclusion criteria; 89 potential risk factors were tested 418 times for association with compassion. Significant associations with compassion were found for individual demographic factors (e.g., gender, religious faith); personal characteristics (e.g., emotional intelligence, perspective-taking, secure attachment); personal experience (e.g., previous adversity); behaviors (e.g., church attendance); circumstantial factors during the compassion encounter (e.g., perceptions of suffering severity, relational proximity of the compassion-giver and -receiver, emotional state of the compassion-giver); and organizational features. Few studies explored the capacity to receive, rather than give, compassion. Definitions and measures of compassion varied widely across disciplines; 87% of studies used self-report measures and 39% used a cross-sectional design. Ten randomized clinical trials documented the effectiveness of compassion training. From an epidemiologic perspective, most studies treated compassion as an individual host factor rather than as transmissible or influenced by time or the environment. The causal pathways leading from suffering to a compassionate response appear to be non-linear and complex. A variety of factors (acting as effect modifiers) appear to be permissive of—or essential for—the arising of compassion in certain settings or specific populations. Future epidemiologic research on compassion should take into account contextual and environmental factors and should elucidate compassion-related dynamics within organizations and human systems. Such research should be informed by a range of epidemiologic tools and methods, as well as insights from other scientific disciplines and spiritual and religious traditions.
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31
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How Chanting Relates to Cognitive Function, Altered States and Quality of Life. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12111456. [DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12111456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chanting is practiced in many religious and secular traditions and involves rhythmic vocalization or mental repetition of a sound or phrase. This study examined how chanting relates to cognitive function, altered states, and quality of life across a wide range of traditions. A global survey was used to assess experiences during chanting including flow states, mystical experiences, mindfulness, and mind wandering. Further, attributes of chanting were assessed to determine their association with altered states and cognitive benefits, and whether psychological correlates of chanting are associated with quality of life. Responses were analyzed from 456 English speaking participants who regularly chant across 32 countries and various chanting traditions. Results revealed that different aspects of chanting were associated with distinctive experiential outcomes. Stronger intentionality (devotion, intention, sound) and higher chanting engagement (experience, practice duration, regularity) were associated with altered states and cognitive benefits. Participants whose main practice was call and response chanting reported higher scores of mystical experiences. Participants whose main practice was repetitive prayer reported lower mind wandering. Lastly, intentionality and engagement were associated with quality of life indirectly through altered states and cognitive benefits. This research sheds new light on the phenomenology and psychological consequences of chanting across a range of practices and traditions.
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Kouta C, Apostolara P, Rousou E, Maria M, Papadopoulos I. Nursing and Midwifery Managers’ Views on Compassion in Daily Practice: A Survey in Greece and Cyprus. JOURNAL OF HEALTH MANAGEMENT 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/09720634221128087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Compassionate care is a key component in nursing and midwifery quality care. It leads to positive patient outcomes, greater patient satisfaction, higher level of compliance, lower costs and reduction of nurse’s burnout. The aim of this article is to describe how nurses’ and midwives’ managers understand and practice compassion in Cyprus and Greece. This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, exploratory online survey using close and open-ended questions. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were applied. This is part of a larger study participating 17 countries. This article discusses Cyprus (Greek-Cypriots n = 47) and Greece data (n = 58). The sample included nurses and/or midwives in management positions, nurse educators/managers in the hospital, community or in educational setting. Participants in this study reported the necessity to be a compassionate manager. Some stated that nurses and midwives do not receive compassion from their managers. Thematic areas revealed include: (a) Defining compassion, (b) Giving/receiving compassion, (c) Manager as advocate (d) Importance of cultural characteristics (e) Advantages/barriers of compassion. Managing and leading staff with compassion have a positive effect in the quality, effectiveness and efficiency in daily practice. It enhances work satisfaction. Nurses’ and midwives’ managers in Cyprus and Greece highlight the importance of reinforcing themselves in providing compassionate care and supporting their staff.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiana Kouta
- Department of Nursing, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Paraskevi Apostolara
- Department of Nursing, University of West Attica, Egaleo Park Campus, Athens, Greece
- Department of Nursing, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Elena Rousou
- Department of Nursing, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | | | - Irena Papadopoulos
- Research Centre for Transcultural Studies in Health, School of Health and Education, Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom
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Rodríguez-Nieto G, Mercadillo RE, Pasaye EH, Barrios FA. Affective and cognitive brain-networks are differently integrated in women and men while experiencing compassion. Front Psychol 2022; 13:992935. [PMID: 36176793 PMCID: PMC9513369 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.992935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Different theoretical models have proposed cognitive and affective components in empathy and moral judgments encompassing compassion. Furthermore, gender differences in psychological and neural functions involving empathic and moral processing, as well as compassionate experiences, have been reported. However, the neurobiological function regarding affective and cognitive integration underlying compassion and gender-associated differences has not been investigated. In this study, we aimed to examine the interaction between cognitive and emotional components through functional connectivity analyzes and to explore gender differences for the recruitment and interaction of these components. Thirty-six healthy participants (21–56 years; 21 women) were exposed to social images in an fMRI session to judge whether the stimuli elicited compassion. The results showed a different connectivity pattern for women and men of the insular cortex, the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC), the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), and the cingulate cortex. The integration of affective and cognitive components follows a complex functional connectivity pattern that is different for both genders. These differences may indicate that men largely make compassionate judgments based on contextual information, while women tend to notably take internal and introspective processes into account. Women and men can use different affective and cognitive routes that could converge in similar learning of moral values, empathic experiences and compassionate acts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geraldine Rodríguez-Nieto
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Biomedical Sciences Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Roberto E. Mercadillo
- Unidad Iztapalapa, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, México City, Mexico
- Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, México City, Mexico
- *Correspondence: Roberto E. Mercadillo, ,
| | - Erick H. Pasaye
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Fernando A. Barrios
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Queretaro, Mexico
- Fernando A. Barrios,
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Feruglio S, Panasiti MS, Crescentini C, Aglioti SM, Ponsi G. The impact of mindfulness meditation on social and moral behavior: Does mindfulness enhance other-oriented motivation or decrease monetary reward salience? Front Integr Neurosci 2022; 16:963422. [PMID: 36118116 PMCID: PMC9478338 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2022.963422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This perspective article provides an overview of the impact of mindfulness meditation (MM) on social and moral behavior. In mindfulness research, prosocial behavior has been operationalized as helping behavior, altruistic redistribution of funds, reparative behavior, or monetary donation. Studies concerning moral behavior are still scarce. Despite inconsistent evidence, several studies found a beneficial effect of mindfulness on prosocial outcomes (i.e., a higher propensity to spend or give away money for the sake of other individuals). However, since the employed tasks were reward-based, participants’ decisions also directly affected their own payoff by reducing it. Crucially, MM also affects self-control circuitry and reduces reward-seeking behaviors and reward salience by making rewards less tempting. We have discussed evidence suggesting how challenging it may be to dissociate the specific weight of enhanced other-oriented motivation from one of the decreased monetary reward salience in explaining meditators’ behavior. Future higher-quality studies are needed to address this open issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Feruglio
- Italian Institute of Technology, Sapienza University of Rome and CLNS@Sapienza, Rome, Italy
- Department of Languages, Literatures, Communication, Education, and Society, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Maria Serena Panasiti
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristiano Crescentini
- Department of Languages, Literatures, Communication, Education, and Society, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
- Institute of Mechanical Intelligence, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Salvatore Maria Aglioti
- Italian Institute of Technology, Sapienza University of Rome and CLNS@Sapienza, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgia Ponsi
- Italian Institute of Technology, Sapienza University of Rome and CLNS@Sapienza, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Giorgia Ponsi,
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Lieder F, Prentice M, Corwin‐Renner ER. An interdisciplinary synthesis of research on understanding and promoting well‐doing. SOCIAL AND PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY COMPASS 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/spc3.12704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Falk Lieder
- Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems Tübingen Germany
| | - Mike Prentice
- Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems Tübingen Germany
| | - Emily R. Corwin‐Renner
- Hector Research Institute of Education Sciences and Psychology University of Tübingen Tübingen Germany
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36
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Nakamura JS, Lee MT, Chen FS, Archer Lee Y, Fried LP, VanderWeele TJ, Kim ES. Identifying pathways to increased volunteering in older US adults. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12825. [PMID: 35896597 PMCID: PMC9328015 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16912-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
While growing evidence documents strong associations between volunteering and improved health and well-being outcomes, less is known about the health and well-being factors that lead to increased volunteering. Using data from 13,771 participants in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS)—a diverse, longitudinal, and national sample of older adults in the United States—we evaluated a large range of candidate predictors of volunteering. Specifically, using generalized linear regression models with a lagged exposure-wide approach, we evaluated if changes in 61 predictors spanning physical health, health behaviors, and psychosocial well-being (over a 4-year follow-up between t0; 2006/2008 and t1; 2010/2012) were associated with volunteer activity four years later (t2; 2014/2016). After adjusting for a rich set of covariates, certain changes in some health behaviors (e.g., physical activity ≥ 1x/week), physical health conditions (e.g., physical functioning limitations, cognitive impairment), and psychosocial factors (e.g., purpose in life, constraints, contact with friends, etc.) were associated with increased volunteering four years later. However, there was little evidence that other factors were associated with subsequent volunteering. Changes in several indicators of physical health, health behaviors, and psychosocial well-being may predict increased volunteering, and these factors may be novel targets for interventions and policies aiming to increase volunteering in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia S Nakamura
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
| | - Matthew T Lee
- Institute for Studies of Religion, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA.,Human Flourishing Program, Institute for Quantitative Social Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Frances S Chen
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Yeeun Archer Lee
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Linda P Fried
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Tyler J VanderWeele
- Human Flourishing Program, Institute for Quantitative Social Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric S Kim
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada.,Human Flourishing Program, Institute for Quantitative Social Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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Jahani L, Abolhassani S, Babaee S, Omranifard V. Effects of a compassion-based program on the grief experienced by caregivers of people suffering from dementia: a randomized controlled clinical trial. BMC Nurs 2022; 21:198. [PMID: 35879751 PMCID: PMC9316726 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-022-00980-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dementia is a syndrome that reduces the cognitive and functional abilities of the brain increasing the need for care. The caregivers of these patients are mostly their family members. The great care burden causes devastating effects on the health of family caregivers and the grief experienced by these family caregivers is considerable. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of a compassion-based program on the grief experienced by caregivers of people suffering from dementia. METHOD The present study was a randomized controlled clinical trial in which 70 family caregivers of people suffering from dementia were sampled through the block method and they were divided into experimental and control groups. The data collection tools included demographic information questionnaire and grief inventory that was completed before, a week and a month after the implementation of the compassion-based program in five sessions virtually by sending offline content to the experimental group. The obtained data were analyzed by SPSS 22 software using the repeated measures analysis of variance. RESULTS The mean comparison of scores of the grief experienced in the experimental group between pretest and posttest and follow-up, unlike the control group, showed a significant difference (p < 0.001). The mean scores of the experimental and the control groups were significantly different in terms of experiencing mourning and all of its fields (p < 0.001). The mean comparison of post-test and follow-up showed that the effect of a compassion-based program at the follow-up stage has been mitigated. CONCLUSIONS According to the study results, the compassion-based program reduced the grief experienced by the family caregivers of people suffering from dementia. Nevertheless, the effect of a compassion-based program has been reduced over time. This program can be a good guide for providing society-oriented services to the health team. TRIAL REGISTRATION This study is registered by Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials with decree code: IRCT20190712044181N4 on 02/06/2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Jahani
- Science of Medical and Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Shahla Abolhassani
- Adults Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, No. 81746-73461, Hezar Jerib Road, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Sima Babaee
- Science of Medical and Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Victoria Omranifard
- Department of Psychiatry, Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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Laker C, Knight-Davidson P, Hawkes D, Driver P, Nightingale M, Winter A, McVicar A. The Use of 360-Degree Video in Developing Emotional Coping Skills (Reduced Anxiety and Increased Confidence) in Mental Health Nursing Students: A Protocol Paper. NURSING REPORTS 2022; 12:536-544. [PMID: 35894042 PMCID: PMC9326566 DOI: 10.3390/nursrep12030052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Higher education institutions are uniquely placed to introduce emotional coping skills to promote resilience in pre-registration nurses in order to reduce anxiety and increase confidence before they enter clinical placement for the first time. In this qualitative study, we will explore the use of a 360-degree video in developing skills for coping. The participants will be mental health nursing students. We will develop a 360-degree video in collaboration with a mental health service user. All participants will watch the video. A sub-group will receive a supportive clinical supervision discussion within a cognitive reappraisal/solution-focused/VERA framework. We will record the experiences of the participant to explore: (1) how students felt about the use of 360-degree video, as an education tool to build skills of resilience; (2) whether the students involved felt more confident and less anxious about the situation in the video as a result of participating in the cognitive reappraisal/solution-focused/VERA supervision discussion.
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Stapleton P, Church D, Baumann O, Sabot D. EcoMeditation Modifies Brain Resting State Network Activity. INNOVATIONS IN CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 19:61-70. [PMID: 36204165 PMCID: PMC9507148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The tendency of the mind to wander, a characteristic of the brain's default mode network (DMN), correlates with increased unhappiness and self-referential processing and is a deterrent to establishing a consistent meditation practice. The objective of this study was to test the impact of a secular physiological method of meditation. We hypothesized that EcoMeditation would produce increases in neural communication in brain regions associated with compassion and prosociality and decreases in self-referencing networks, such as the DMN, and that these changes would be found in the experimental group, but not the control group. METHODS Participants (n=38) were randomized into two groups, and the final sample consisted of 25 participants. One group listened daily to a 22-minute EcoMeditation audio track, while the other used an active control. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to assess brain function before and after four weeks of practice. Mystical experiences, as well as psychological conditions, such as anxiety and depression, were measured. RESULTS Participants in the EcoMeditation group showed significantly increased connectivity between the bilateral hippocampus and the bilateral insula, compared to pre-intervention. In addition, significant decreases of connectivity between the bilateral hippocampus and the midprefrontal and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortices occurred. EcoMeditation participants also scored significantly higher for mystical experiences than the control group. The results for emotional states were mixed, with one assessment finding increased positive mood, but another finding increased negative affect. CONCLUSION After only four weeks, participants using EcoMeditation demonstrated brain states similar to meditation adepts with thousands of hours of traditional practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peta Stapleton
- Drs. Stapleton and Baumann and Ms. Sabot are with the School of Psychology, Bond University in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Dawson Church
- Dr. Church is with the National Institute for Integrative Healthcare in Fulton, California
| | - Oliver Baumann
- Drs. Stapleton and Baumann and Ms. Sabot are with the School of Psychology, Bond University in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Debbie Sabot
- Drs. Stapleton and Baumann and Ms. Sabot are with the School of Psychology, Bond University in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
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Liu C, Chen H, Liang YC, Hsu SE, Huang DH, Liu CY, Chiou WK. The effect of loving-kindness meditation on employees’ mindfulness, affect, altruism and knowledge hiding. BMC Psychol 2022; 10:138. [PMID: 35644623 PMCID: PMC9150317 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-022-00846-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This study investigated the effects of the loving-kindness meditation (LKM) on employees’ mindfulness, affect, altruism and knowledge hiding. Methods In total, 100 employees were recruited from a knowledge-based enterprise in China and randomly divided into the LKM training group (n = 50) and the control group (n = 50). The LKM training group underwent LKM training for 8 weeks, while the control group did not. Seven main variables (mindfulness, altruism positive affect, negative affect, playing dumb, rationalized hiding, and evasive hiding) were measured both before (pre-test) and after (post-test) the LKM training intervention. Results The LKM intervention significantly increased participants’ altruism, and significantly reduced negative affect, playing dumb and evasive hiding, but did not significantly improve mindfulness, positive affect, and rationalized hiding. Conclusions LKM significantly improved employees’ altruism, and significantly reduce their negative affect, but did not significantly improve their mindfulness and positive affect. For knowledge hiding, LKM significantly reduced playing dumb and evasive hiding, but had no significant effect on rationalized hiding. These results further elucidate the psychological effects of LKM and suggest the possibility of reducing knowledge hiding in the workplace. Trial registration ChiCTR2200057460. Registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR), 13 March 2022—Retrospectively registered.
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Yam KC, Tang PM, Lam C. Working with animals: Implications for employees’ compassion, awe, prosocial behavior, and task performance. PERSONNEL PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/peps.12517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Lin HL, Lin FS, Liu LC, Liu WH. The Moderating Effect of Compassionate Mindfulness on the Psychological Needs and Emotions of Generation Y in the 21st Century in Taiwan. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19095458. [PMID: 35564853 PMCID: PMC9105620 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan, 6.5% of Generation Y required medical treatment for emotional and stress-related mental disorders. This study explores the moderating effect of mindfulness training on psychological needs and emotions to propose effective measures to promote the mental health of Generation Y. This study was carried out by questionnaire, using the data of respondents born in 1980-1999, collected in three different periods for quantitative analysis with compassionate mindfulness as the main variable. The results show that the compassionate mindfulness effect on emotion regulation varies greatly among different educational levels. However, it still plays a positive role in the psychological needs of Generation Y. Most members of Generation Y who receive compassionate mindfulness training have fewer basic needs and more interpersonal trust. They pay more attention to individual-oriented self-realization. Compassionate mindfulness has a greater positive moderating effect on the mental health of women aged 30-39 and those who are highly educated. Compassionate mindfulness has a more positive moderating effect on the psychological needs of members of Generation Y who were born more recently. During the COVID-19 pandemic, providing compassionate mindfulness has a significant positive effect on the prevention of mental disorders of Generation Y in Taiwan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Li Lin
- Graduate School of Design, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Yunlin 64002, Taiwan; (H.-L.L.); (F.-S.L.)
| | - Fang-Suey Lin
- Graduate School of Design, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Yunlin 64002, Taiwan; (H.-L.L.); (F.-S.L.)
| | - Ling-Chen Liu
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan;
| | - Wen-Hsin Liu
- Division of Family Medicine, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi 600566, Taiwan
- Correspondence:
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Did Mindful People Do Better during the COVID-19 Pandemic? Mindfulness Is Associated with Well-Being and Compliance with Prophylactic Measures. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19095051. [PMID: 35564450 PMCID: PMC9105751 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
This paper investigates the relationship between mindfulness and well-being within the context of compliance with prophylactic measures in the time of COVID-19. We conducted a large-scale survey among a representative sample of the French population. We measured mindfulness, using the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, and the extent to which respondents were impacted by COVID-19 in terms of their mood and quality of sleep, as well as how they complied with prophylactic measures. Our results suggest that more mindful individuals were less negatively impacted by COVID-19 with regard to their sleep and mood. Concerning the prophylactic measures, we obtained mixed results: more mindful participants were more likely to respect lockdowns, physical distancing and to cough in their sleeves, but did not wash their hands, wear masks or avoid touching their face more often than less mindful individuals.
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Schulreich S, Tusche A, Kanske P, Schwabe L. Altruism under Stress: Cortisol Negatively Predicts Charitable Giving and Neural Value Representations Depending on Mentalizing Capacity. J Neurosci 2022; 42:3445-3460. [PMID: 35288436 PMCID: PMC9034777 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1870-21.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Altruism, defined as costly other-regarding behavior, varies considerably across people and contexts. One prominent context in which people frequently must decide on how to socially act is under stress. How does stress affect altruistic decision-making and through which neurocognitive mechanisms? To address these questions, we assessed neural activity associated with charitable giving under stress. Human participants (males and females) completed a charitable donation task before and after they underwent either a psychosocial stressor or a control manipulation, while their brain activity was measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging. As the ability to infer other people's mental states (i.e., mentalizing) predicts prosocial giving and may be susceptible to stress, we examined whether stress effects on altruism depend on participants' general capacity to mentalize, as assessed in an independent task. Although our stress manipulation per se had no influence on charitable giving, increases in the stress hormone cortisol were associated with reductions in donations in participants with high mentalizing capacity, but not in low mentalizers. Multivariate neural response patterns in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) were less predictive of postmanipulation donations in high mentalizers with increased cortisol, indicating decreased value coding, and this effect mediated the (moderated) association between cortisol increases and reduced donations. Our findings provide novel insights into the modulation of altruistic decision-making by suggesting an impact of the stress hormone cortisol on mentalizing-related neurocognitive processes, which in turn results in decreased altruism. The DLPFC appears to play a key role in mediating this cortisol-related shift in altruism.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Altruism is a fundamental building block of our society. Emerging evidence indicates a major role of acute stress and stress-related neuromodulators in social behavior and decision-making. How and through which mechanisms stress may impact altruism remains elusive. We observed that the stress hormone cortisol was linked to diminished altruistic behavior. This effect was mediated by reduced value representations in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and critically depended on the individual capacity to infer mental states of others. Our findings provide novel insights into the modulation of human altruism linked to stress-hormone dynamics and into the involved sociocognitive and neural mechanisms, with important implications for future developments of more targeted interventions for stress-related decrements in social behavior and social cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Schulreich
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Human Movement Science, Universität Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anita Tusche
- Queen's Neuroeconomics Laboratory, Departments of Psychology and Economics, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada
- Division of the Humanities and Social Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125
| | - Philipp Kanske
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01187 Dresden, Germany
| | - Lars Schwabe
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Human Movement Science, Universität Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
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Tellhed U, Sollvén A, Tamas A, Hägerklint E. Boosting prosocial career aspirations: Loving-kindness meditation relates to higher communal career goals in youth. Scand J Psychol 2022; 63:334-345. [PMID: 35436348 PMCID: PMC9541400 DOI: 10.1111/sjop.12823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Wanting to help others and benefit society in one's future career are examples of communal career goals. Raising these goals in youth should increase interest in HEED‐occupations (Healthcare, Early Education, Domestic, and the Domestic fields) which are strongly gender‐skewed and face labor shortage. Research has yet to find ways to increase communal career goals. In this study, we test the novel hypothesis that after listening to a brief loving‐kindness meditation, participants will rate stronger communal career goals, as compared to controls. In three experimental studies, volunteering high‐school students (Study 1 and 3) and university students (Study 2) listened to a 12‐min recording of the meditation with the explicit purpose of investigating its effect on stress. They thereafter filled out an apparently unrelated career goal survey. We compared the results with a control group that just rated the career goals (Studies 1–3) and a control group that listened to calm music before filling out the survey (Study 2 and 3). The results showed that the high‐school students rated higher communal career goals after listening to the meditation, as compared to controls. We did not replicate the result in the sample of university students, which could relate to adults having less flexible career goals than youth, or to a ceiling effect in communal goals. This is the first study that has demonstrated a method with the potential of increasing communal career goals in youth. In addition to increasing interest in HEED, raising communal goals could benefit society, since they are intrinsically prosocial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Una Tellhed
- Department of Psychology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Annie Sollvén
- Department of Psychology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Potvin AS, Penuel WR, Dimidjian S, Jinpa T. Cultivating Skillful Means of Care in Schools Through Compassion Practice and Individual and Joint Inquiry. Mindfulness (N Y) 2022; 14:1-17. [PMID: 35440948 PMCID: PMC9010240 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-022-01867-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Objectives We examined the extent to which compassion practices helped guide skillful means of care among educators. We engaged educators in a collaborative design (co-design) process that foregrounded two components: (1) contemplative practice and (2) developing skill in how social interactions are embedded within wider systems through individual and joint inquiry. We analyzed the ways educators developed awareness of social suffering and set intentions to alleviate suffering. We examined how co-design fostered an understanding of compassion and new ideas about how to respond skillfully to suffering in schools. Methods Using qualitative methods, we analyzed data from educators who participated in co-design, including their written reflections, field notes, semi-structured interviews, and surveys. Results Educators identified multiple opportunities for acting with compassion, including approaching school-based interactions with compassion, cultivating compassion for themselves, and envisioning school change through a lens of compassion. Educators' experiences in co-design directly informed how they imagined compassionate action in their schools. Specific elements highlighted were contemplative practice, reflection, and individual and joint inquiry. Conclusions The adaptation of a general program on compassion training can benefit from attending to how to show compassion in the context of concrete interactions in schools, and this can support educators in developing skillful means of care. Our analyses provide insight into the components that supported educators to offer compassion and suggest that educators' skillful means of care can be cultivated through both contemplative practice and inquiry into social suffering. We offer a conceptual model for developing skillful means of care educational settings.
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Williams EC, Polito V. Meditation in the Workplace: Does Mindfulness Reduce Bias and Increase Organisational Citizenship Behaviours? Front Psychol 2022; 13:747983. [PMID: 35478759 PMCID: PMC9035788 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.747983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mindfulness is becoming increasingly popular in the workplace. This likely relates to a growing body of research linking mindfulness to a range of psychological outcomes such as reduced anxiety, depression and increased subjective wellbeing. However, while mindfulness has received a great deal of attention in clinical research, the evidence for workplace relevant benefits is less established. Additionally, outside of clinical research, mindfulness studies have rarely been replicated. Recent evidence suggests that the cognitive skills cultivated during meditation may be instrumental in reducing biased thinking and increasing prosocial behaviour, but these findings have not been previously tested in a workplace setting. Specifically, mindfulness has been linked to reductions in implicit age bias, sunk-cost decision-making bias and increases in organisational citizenship behaviours (OCB). In two experiments using a workplace and laboratory sample, the present investigation aimed to test the reliability and generalisability of previous findings that a brief mindfulness meditation can reduce age and sunk-cost decision-making biases. To more directly test the potential positive benefits of mindfulness in a workplace setting, this study also investigated the impact of a mindfulness intervention on intention to perform OCB. While meditation significantly increased OCB intent, predictions relating to bias were not supported. Considerations for the degree to which empirical evidence aligns with claims in popular culture, along with implications for the practical uses of mindfulness in the workplace are explored.
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Bentley PG. Compassion practice as an antidote for compassion fatigue in the era of COVID‐19. THE JOURNAL OF HUMANISTIC COUNSELING 2022. [PMCID: PMC9015224 DOI: 10.1002/johc.12172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Empathy is a critical factor in counseling, yet the process of empathizing with suffering can have a detrimental impact on counselor well‐being. In the wake of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), the need for strategies to ameliorate this potential negative impact is even more apparent. This article explores compassion practices to meet that need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige G. Bentley
- Counseling and Well‐Being Services, Department of Psychiatry Wake Forest University School of Medicine Winston‐Salem North Carolina USA
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Pots W, Chakhssi F. Psilocybin-Assisted Compassion Focused Therapy for Depression. Front Psychol 2022; 13:812930. [PMID: 35401294 PMCID: PMC8990799 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.812930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy, i.e., psilocybin treatment with psychological support, has demonstrated the efficacy of psilocybin to reduce depressive symptoms. However, in clinical trials, the structure of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy is primarily based on preparation, navigation (support during dosing sessions), and integration. For psychotherapeutic guidance, the application of this structure is favored over the usage of theoretical models. The applied psychotherapeutic models may be of critical importance if the effects are augmented due to the psychologically insightful experiences during the navigation and integration sessions. One of the important next steps is to provide therapists with guidance on how to provide psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. We present an integrated protocol for psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for depression based on the theoretical model and psychotherapeutic framework of Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT). We hypothesize that CFT can provide the theoretical model and compassion practices that will reinforce the experiences during the navigation and follow-up therapy sessions. In this paper, we describe the rationale for selecting CFT, the compatibility of CFT and psilocybin-therapy, an overview of the psilocybin-assisted CFT protocol, the study protocol, and limitations to this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy Pots
- Arjuna Labs, Mill Valley, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Wendy Pots,
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Guendelman S, Bayer M, Prehn K, Dziobek I. Towards a mechanistic understanding of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) using an RCT neuroimaging approach: Effects on regulating own stress in social and non-social situations. Neuroimage 2022; 254:119059. [PMID: 35259523 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Although much research has shown that mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) can reduce psychological stress, it is less clear if effects generalize to everyday social situations, which range among the largest stress triggers. Furthermore, mechanisms of MBIs have not been fully established. Emotion regulation (ER) has been suggested as one key mechanism, yet the role of cognitive reappraisal and acceptance strategies is still under debate. To address these questions, a neuroimaging-based randomized controlled trial (RCT) was performed (n=68), comparing mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) with a reading/listening intervention (READ), using a novel dyadic paradigm for self and other emotion regulation under stress as primary outcome on behavior and brain levels and established empathy measures (clinicatrials.gov NCT03035669). Compared to READ, MBSR led to self-reported stress reduction through both cognitive reappraisal and acceptance only when regulating self and not when regulating others' distress. In addition, MBSR led to increased brain activation over time for regulating own (parietal cortex) and others' (precuneus, TPJ) emotions through cognitive reappraisal and acceptance, albeit this effect was also seen for the reading intervention for regulating own stress via reappraisal. Brain changes did not scale with subjective stress reduction and amount of meditation practice. More distant generalization effects of MBSR on socio-emotional functioning (cognitive empathy and compassion) could also not be shown. This study identified both cognitive reappraisal and acceptance as two ER mechanisms of MBSR, but indicates that effects do not extend to social settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simón Guendelman
- Clinical Psychology of Social Interaction, Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Institute of Psychology. Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Mareike Bayer
- Clinical Psychology of Social Interaction, Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Institute of Psychology. Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kristin Prehn
- Department of Psychology, MSH Medical School Hamburg - University of Applied Sciences and Medical University, Am Kaiserkai 1, 20457 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Isabel Dziobek
- Clinical Psychology of Social Interaction, Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Institute of Psychology. Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10117, Berlin, Germany
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