Aim: To explore experiences of change among participants in a randomized clinical trial of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for anxiety disorders.

Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore the subjective experiences of change for individuals with anxiety disorders after a course in MBSR. Interviews were analysed employing hermeneutic-phenomenological thematic analysis.

Results: Five main themes were identified: 1) Something useful to do when anxiety appears, 2) Feeling more at ease, 3) Doing things my anxiety wouldn't let me, 4) Meeting what is there, and 5) Better-but not there yet. Most participants used what they had learned for instrumental purposes, and described relief from anxiety and an increased sense of personal agency. A few reported more radical acceptance of anxiety, as well as increased self-compassion.

Conclusion: Participants of MBSR both describe mindfulness as a tool to "fix" anxiety and as bringing about more fundamental change towards acceptance of their anxiety. The complexity of reported change corresponds with better handling of areas representing known transdiagnostic features of anxiety disorder, such as dysfunctional cognitive processes (including attentional biases), emotional dysregulation, avoidance behaviours, and maladaptive self-relatedness. This supports MBSR as a transdiagnostic approach to the treatment of anxiety disorders.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7482889PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2020.1776094DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

experiences change
12
anxiety disorders
12
anxiety
11
mindfulness-based stress
8
stress reduction
8
acceptance anxiety
8
change
5
participant experiences
4
change mindfulness-based
4
reduction anxiety
4

Similar Publications

Background: Infertility is a significant issue in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. Men with SCI often experience erectile and ejaculatory dysfunctions, and low sperm quality leading to impaired fertility. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of Erythropoietin (EPO)alginate/chitosan (CH-AL) hydrogel on SCI-induced male rat infertility.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Rationale: To examine the acute effects of ayahuasca use and their relationship to sub-acute changes in affect and mindfulness in a non-clinical sample, addressing the need for a better understanding of ayahuasca's immediate and short-term impacts as interest in its use grows.

Objectives: Using prospective ecological assessment, this study investigates how ayahuasca used at a 4-day retreat affects positive/negative affect and mindfulness skills in daily living compared to pre-retreat. Additionally, we explore acute psychedelic experiences during the ayahuasca retreat, assessed retrospectively 1-2 days post-retreat, as potential mechanisms for theorized effects in daily living post-retreat.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Assessing Changes in Permethrin Toxicity to Juvenile Inland Silversides (Menidia beryllina) Under Different Temperature Scenarios.

Arch Environ Contam Toxicol

January 2025

Center for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA.

Aquatic systems are impacted by temperature fluctuations which can alter the toxicity of pesticides. Increased temperatures related to climate change have elevated pest activity, resulting in an escalation of pesticide use. One such pesticide class, pyrethroids, has replaced the use of several banned pesticides due to its low mammalian toxicity.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) medical students typically enter the military with minimal military experience, commissioning specifically for the scholarship. During medical school, the only required training is a 5- to 6-week officer training course, which is neither specific to medicine nor guaranteed to be at the beginning of school, since it can be taken at any time. This lack of prior experience can lead to decreased confidence and understanding of the HPSP, specifically the medical school timeline leading up to the military match process and overall military.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: In their care of terminally ill patients, palliative care physicians and oncologists are increasingly predisposed to physical and emotional exhaustion, or compassion fatigue (CF). Challenges faced by physicians include complex care needs; changing practice demands, and sociocultural contextual factors. Efforts to better understand CF have, however, been limited.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!