The Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Hope and Stress

Purpose: To evaluate mindfulness meditation as an antecedent of reductions in stress and increases in hope. Method: A quasi-experimental design ( N = 46; meditation group, n = 23; comparison group, n = 23) using a community sample was used to evaluate the impact of mindfulness meditation on stress and hope. A path analysis was also used to model a directional relationship between meditation participation and increases in hope mediated by reductions in stress. Results: The data indicated that the meditation group exhibited significantly higher hope and lower stress than the comparison group. The path analysis indicated that reductions in stress fully mediated the relationship between mindfulness meditation and increases in hope. Discussion: The data support that meditation can increase hope via stress reduction. The results suggest a need for further research into mindfulness meditation and hope, especially since increasing hope is a fundamental aim of strengths-based practice.

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THE IMPACT OF FOCUSING STUDENTS' ATTENTION ON THEMSELVES AS FUTURE PROFESSIONALS ON THEIR PROFESSIONAL CALLING

SOCIETY INTEGRATION EDUCATION Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference ◽

10.17770/sie2017vol1.2328 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 1 ◽

pp. 339

Author(s):

Regina Saveljeva ◽

Liudmila Rupšienė

Keyword(s):

Comparison Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Social Pedagogy ◽

Study Programme ◽

The Social ◽

Final Measurement ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship ◽

Experimental Group

Researchers express ideas about the relationship between focusing students' attention on themselves as future professionals during their studies and students' professional calling. However, empirical evidence on this relationship is still lacking. The research aimed to answer the question: "What is the impact of focusing students' attention on themselves as future professionals on their professional calling?" In order to answer this question the quasi-experiment with the non-equivalent comparison group without the pre-test design has been carried out. The quasi-experimental programme was implemented in the experimental group of 31 student of the social pedagogy study programme of Klaipėda University in 2009-2014. The control group consisted of 79 students from three other Lithuanian universities. The final measurement was carried out in the control and experimental groups on May-June, 2014. The results argue that focusing students' attention on themselves as future professionals during their studies has an impact on their professional calling.

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Impact of mindfulness for people with arthritis

International Journal for Population Data Science ◽

10.23889/ijpds.v1i1.61 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sinead Brophy ◽

Roxanne Cooksey ◽

Jonathan Kennedy ◽

Helen Davies

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Stress Reduction ◽

Data Linkage ◽

Comparison Group ◽

Effectiveness Analysis ◽

Before And After ◽

Number Of Visits ◽

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction ◽

Gp Visits ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo examine the impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods193 People with AS were invited to take part in an MBSR 8 week course. The data linkage component of this study examined number of visits to the general practitioner before and after the course in participants and non-participants of the course (500 people taking part in a cohort study but not invited to the course). ResultsOf 193 people invited, 43 (22%) consented and took part in the course, GP records were available for 41 (95%) of MBSR participants and 457 (91%) of the 500 comparison group. There was a mean of 7.6 (median 3) visits to the GP in the 12 month period before the course for those undertaking MBSR and 4.6 (median 0) visits in the 12 month period after the course. This compared with 5.5 (median 0) visits (12 months before a random date) and 4.1 (median 0) visits (12 months after a random date) in the comparison group. Using Wilcoxon rank-sum (Mann-Whitney) test showed a significant reduction in GP visits in the MBSR group after the course compared to the comparison group. ConclusionsThose who chose to attend an MBSR course had a higher number of visits to the GP before attending the course, than the comparison group. However, after attending the stress reduction course the number of visits to the GP reduced to levels equivalent to the comparison group. This study suggests that mindfulness based stress reduction could be effective in reducing the number of visits to the GP for people with arthritis who regularly see their GP. The findings from this study suggest a full RCT and cost effectiveness analysis is warranted.

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From Dependence to Independence

IASL Annual Conference Proceedings ◽

10.29173/iasl7636 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Intan Azura Mokhtar ◽

Shaheen Majid ◽

Schubert Foo

Keyword(s):

Control Group ◽

Mediated Learning ◽

Control Group Design ◽

Student Responses ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

Information Skills ◽

Group Interviews ◽

Library Skills ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

Although it is widely believed that information literacy (IL) competencies are useful in helping students perform better in their schoolwork and beyond, limited empirical evidence is available showing the relationship between IL competencies and IL education. While a lot of research has been done worldwide and most of the findings have proven that IL is a much-needed skill by students, little research has been conducted on IL teaching approaches or what is termed IL pedagogy. To date, studies on IL have mainly focused only on students’ information skills per se, on library skills or on ICT education. None of these studies has assessed the different approaches to IL education. This paper provides an overview of a research study that investigates the impact of an IL teaching approach in the form of personalised coaching, which is grounded in the pedagogy known as mediated learning, on students’ level and applicability of IL competencies. Through the application of a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control-group design, as well as student responses in the post-experiment semi-structured group interviews, it was found that personalised coaching (or mediated learning) helps students perform better in the learning and application of IL competencies.

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Reappraising the Impact of Offending on Victimization: A Propensity Score Matching Approach

International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology ◽

10.1177/0306624x17708179 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 62 (8) ◽

pp. 2374-2390

Author(s):

Chad Posick

Keyword(s):

Propensity Score ◽

Propensity Score Matching ◽

Property Crime ◽

Experimental Methods ◽

Wide Range ◽

Sample Data ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

The Life Course ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

Existing evidence clearly supports an empirical connection between offending and victimization. Often called the “victim–offender overlap,” this relationship holds for both sexes, across the life course, and across a wide range of countries and cultural environments. In addition, the relationship is sustained regardless of the study sample and statistical methods applied in the analyses of the sample data. However, there has yet to be a study that examines this relationship for violent and property crime using quasi-experimental methods accounting for a wide range of potential confounders including individual differences and cultural contexts. This study subjects the victim–offender relationship to testing through propensity score matching for both violent and property crimes using an international dataset. The results show that previous violent and theft offending increases the odds of victimization when matching on individual and contextual factors. This finding supports previous literature and suggests that delinquent behavior may act as a “switch” that exposes one to subsequent violent and theft victimization.

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Impact of a Scalable, Multi-Campus “Foodprint” Seminar on College Students’ Dietary Intake and Dietary Carbon Footprint

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12092890 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (9) ◽

pp. 2890

Author(s):

Hannah Malan ◽

Ghislaine Amsler Challamel ◽

Dara Silverstein ◽

Charlie Hoffs ◽

Edward Spang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Human Health ◽

Carbon Footprint ◽

Environmental Sustainability ◽

Food Systems ◽

Comparison Group ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

The Impact

Background: Dietary patterns affect both human health and environmental sustainability. Prior research found a ten-unit course on food systems and environmental sustainability shifted dietary intake and reduced dietary carbon footprint among college students. This research evaluated the impact of a similar, more scalable one-unit Foodprint seminar taught at multiple universities. Methods: We used a quasi-experimental pre-post nonequivalent comparison group design (n = 176). As part of the Menus of Change University Research Collaborative, research was conducted at three university campuses in California over four academic terms. All campuses used the same curriculum, which incorporates academic readings, group discussions, and skills-based exercises to evaluate the environmental footprint of different foods. The comparison group comprised students taking unrelated one-unit courses at the same universities. A questionnaire was administered at the beginning and end of each term. Results: Students who took the Foodprint seminar significantly improved their reported vegetable intake by 4.7 weekly servings relative to the comparison group. They also reported significantly decreasing intake of ruminant meat and sugar-sweetened beverages. As a result of dietary shifts, Foodprint seminar students were estimated to have significantly decreased their dietary carbon footprint by 14%. Conclusions: A scalable, one-unit Foodprint seminar may simultaneously promote environmental sustainability and human health.

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Estimation of Impact Loads in a Hydraulic Breaker by Transfer Path Analysis

Shock and Vibration ◽

10.1155/2017/8564381 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-15 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Changheon Song ◽

Dae Ji Kim ◽

Jintai Chung ◽

Kang Won Lee ◽

Sang Seuk Kweon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Path Analysis ◽

Mechanical Equipment ◽

Impact Loads ◽

Response Functions ◽

Transfer Path ◽

Transfer Path Analysis ◽

Strain Gauge Measurements ◽

The Impact ◽

Impact Experiments ◽

The Relationship

The aim of this study is to estimate the impact loads delivered to the housing of a hydraulic breaker quantitatively. Striking forces caused vibrations in the equipment housing, which were experimentally measured, and frequency response functions were also found through modal impact experiments. Transfer path analysis (TPA) method of the data quantified the impact loads delivered to the housing. TPA method can analyze the relationship between the vibration energy and the transfer path of an excitation source and so explore the way in which vibrations on each path contribute to the entire vibration profile. The impact loads of each part derived by TPA method were compared with the impact loads in the chisel derived from strain gauge measurements of the striking energy. This comparison validated the TPA approach. This study describes the basic concepts and components of TPA method and also reviews its applicability to mechanical equipment that experiences impact vibrations and impact loads.

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Do Mindfulness Meditation Apps Decrease Stress in College Students? (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.11197 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Kaitana, M. Dahle ◽

Audrey Hooper ◽

Aaron, J Cheung ◽

Ashley Young ◽

AliceAnn Crandall

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Stress Reduction ◽

Mindfulness Meditation ◽

Mobile App ◽

Stress Change ◽

Stress Levels ◽

Study Interval ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND Mindfulness meditation apps have become popular self-help technology tools to manage stress and improve mental health. Mindfulness meditation classes have been associated with decreased stress levels, but the impact of mindfulness meditation apps at reducing stress levels among college students has not been thoroughly examined. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to assess how the frequency and duration of mindfulness meditation app use during a two-week interval affected self-reported stress levels. The study analyzed how minutes and days of app use during a 14-day period impacted change in self-reported stress compared to baseline. METHODS A longitudinal sample of 85 undergraduate students were recruited to the study through fliers and in-class announcements. Eligibility requirements ensured that participants had no prior or limited (< 2 hours) experience with mindfulness meditation. Pre- and post-assessment survey questions included perceived stress levels and the frequency and duration of meditation app use during the two-week study interval. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess whether there was a relationship between app use and change in stress. RESULTS The mean Perceived Stress Scale scores at time 1 and time 2 significantly differed (P < .001; t = 3.47), such that there was a significant decrease in self-reported stress over the study interval. The number of minutes of mindfulness mobile app use over the 14 days of the study was not predictive of stress change (P = .14), but the number of days practicing mindfulness was a significant predictor of stress change (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS Consistently practicing mindfulness may be more predictive of stress reduction than length of practice, as evidenced by a significant relationship between change in stress and number of days practicing mindfulness meditation, but not number of minutes practiced.

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Examining the Associations between Psychological Flexibility, Mindfulness, Psychosomatic Functioning, and Anxiety during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Path Analysis

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17238764 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (23) ◽

pp. 8764

Author(s):

Benita Wielgus ◽

Witold Urban ◽

Aleksandra Patriak ◽

Łukasz Cichocki

Keyword(s):

Path Analysis ◽

State Anxiety ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Psychological Flexibility ◽

Self Report ◽

Mindfulness Practice ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Leading Role ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

Social distancing plays a leading role in controlling the spread of coronavirus. However, prolonged lockdown can lead to negative consequences in terms of mental health. The goal of the research is to examine the relationship between anxiety and general psychosomatic functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic; the impact of psychological flexibility and mindfulness is also considered. Variables were measured with self-report questionnaires and symptom checklists. The sample included 170 people (M = 27.79, SD = 8.16). Pearson’s correlation, stepwise regression, and path analysis were conducted. The results showed a significant positive relationship between state anxiety and somatic and psychological responses to the pandemic. Path analysis revealed that mindfulness had a direct negative impact on and decreased the level of state anxiety (b = −0.22, p = 0.002), whereas psychological flexibility influenced the variable indirectly (b = 0.23, p = 0.002) by enhancing psychosomatic functioning (b = −0.64, p < 0.001). Psychological flexibility and mindfulness may mediate the development of mental disorders and facilitate achieving overall wellbeing. The study points to the usefulness of mindfulness practice as a form of self-help with anxiety symptoms; this is crucial during the pandemic because contact with clients is restricted.

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PROMOSI MEDIA FILM BERBAHASA BENGKULU BERPENGARUH TERHADAP PENGETAHUAN DAN MOTIVASI WANITA DALAM DETEKSI DINI KANKER SERVIKS MELALUI IVA TES

Jurnal Medikes (Media Informasi Kesehatan) ◽

10.36743/medikes.v6i2.172 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 123-132

Author(s):

Lusi Andriani ◽

Sri Yanniarti ◽

Desi Widiyanti ◽

Elvi Destariyani

Keyword(s):

Cervical Cancer ◽

Comparison Group ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

P Value ◽

Design Data ◽

Control Group Design ◽

Before And After ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

The Impact

The incidence of Cervical cancer about 16/ 100,000 women, 70% of deaths occur in poor and developing countries. It is estimated that approximately 528,000 new cases of cervical cancer and caused 266,000 people to die. The purpose of this study to determine the impact of local language movies on knowledge and motivation Women in the implementation of early detection of cervical cancer by the IVA test. This study uses a quantitative method with a design quasi-experimental pre and post-test with control group design, data were collected using a questionnaire. Samples were 60 women in the Kampung Melayu district area consists of 30 people as the intervention group and 30 in the comparison group. The data analysis used univariate, the bivariate test of T-dependent and T-test Independent, multivariate use MANCOVA. Results showed knowledge before and after intervention increased from 10.73 into 12.80 with p-value(0.000) and Motivation scores increase of 56.57 into 60.40 with p-value (0.002). There are significant differences between the intervention group and the comparison group with p-value(0.002) for the knowledge and p (0.000) for motivation. There was a significant effect of the variable Independent Movie towards Knowledge and Motivation women with pValue 0.00, covariate variable does not affect the knowledge and motivation with p-Value greater than α =0.05. Need to campaign on an ongoing basis to be able to motivate women in carrying out the examination IVA and the media that is used needs to be varied so that women interested and more easily understand the message.

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Examining the Relationship between Preference for Solitude and Subjective Well-Being Among Japanese Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab054 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Aya Toyoshima ◽

Takashi Kusumi

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Path Analysis ◽

Factor Structure ◽

Group Analysis ◽

Well Being ◽

Internet Survey ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Hypothesis Model ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Background and Objectives Focusing on the fact that older adults with positive emotions tend to spend time alone, this study aimed to examine the relationship between preference for solitude and subjective well-being among older adults. In Study 1, we developed a revised version of the Preference for Solitude Scale with a three-factor structure, unlike the single-factor structure of the original scale. In Study 2, we examined the relationship between preference for solitude and subjective well-being using the revised scale. Research Design and Methods We conducted an Internet survey with 210 older adults in Study 1 to develop a revised Japanese scale. In Study 2, to address the possible research method bias in Study 1, we conducted a mail survey with 276 older adults. We examined the replicability of Study 1, confirming metric invariance through multi-group analysis and hypothesis model through path analysis. Results The results of the path analysis indicated that “Productivity during solitude” (Factor 3) was positively related with positive affect and life satisfaction, and “Enjoyment of solitude” (Factor 2) was negatively related with negative affect. However, the results of the mediation analysis suggested that preference for solitude was also related to loneliness, and the indirect effect of preference for solitude on well-being was negative. Discussion and Implications “Enjoyment of solitude” and “Productivity during solitude” were related to maintaining subjective well-being among older adults, although the effects were marginal. The impact of preference for solitude was mixed in enhancing and decreasing subjective well-being.

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