Anxiety, attention, and mindfulness following focused attention and open-monitoring mindfulness meditation
Abstract
Research on the effects of mindfulness meditation has been growing
exponentially over the past three decades. The purpose of this present study is to explore
whether different types of mindfulness meditative techniques differentially affect anxiety,
attention, and mindfulness. Specifically, a meditative technique that aims to focus
attention on one object, and one that aims to increase attentional flexibility, may affect
anxiety, attention, and mindfulness in distinct ways. Participants were randomly assigned
to one of three conditions: 1) focused-attention mindfulness meditation, 2) openmonitoring
mindfulness meditation, or 3) control condition in which they learned about
sensations and perceptions. Anxiety, attention, and mindfulness were measured prior to
and after each mindfulness practice or listening control task. The data did not support the
beneficial effects of mindfulness meditation on state anxiety or state mindfulness
previously found in the literature. Additionally, there was no evidence for differential
effects of focused attention compared to open-monitoring mindfulness meditation on
anxiety, attention, or mindfulness skills. Limitations to the current study are considered.
Subject
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
Meditation
Stress management
Interpersonal relations
Mental discipline
Attention
Permanent Link
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/76732Description
A Thesis Submitted
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
For the Degree of
Master of Science-Psychology
Cognitive and Affective Science