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A four-dimensional model of mindfulness and its implications for health
Högskolan i Skövde, Institutionen för hälsa och lärande.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5091-2492
2014 (English)In: Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, ISSN 1941-1022, E-ISSN 1943-1562, Vol. 6, no 2, p. 162-174Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

This article introduces a four-field model of mindfulness training and discusses its implications for health. Through the pioneering work of Kabat-Zinn and others, a vast amount of research has been conducted regarding both physical and mental mindfulness; as such, it is generally these two dimensions that are relied upon for intervention by health care professionals. While certainly a sign of progress, this article proposes that the essential next step in mindfulness training is to involve the less known social and existential dimensions as well. Indeed, it is herein argued that the addition of these two fields can serve to enhance the theory of resilience, the general promotion of human health, and the specific practice of mindfulness, especially as it relates to both group and meaning-of-life contexts. It is further argued that a more nuanced understanding of physical (a Western notion) and spiritual (an Eastern notion) mindfulness can be obtained by examining the interconnectedness of all four fields. The aim is to open the way toward a more broad, holistic, and altruistic approach to the practice of mindfulness as well as to encourage further research along these potentially productive lines.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2014. Vol. 6, no 2, p. 162-174
Keywords [en]
social mindfulness, existential mindfulness, Buddhism, resilience, logotherapy, psychological stages
National Category
Sociology (Excluding Social Work, Social Anthropology, Demography and Criminology)
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-27649DOI: 10.1037/a0036067ISI: 000336573700008Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-84900539934OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hj-27649DiVA, id: diva2:844058
Available from: 2014-06-18 Created: 2015-08-03 Last updated: 2025-02-17Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. Conceptualizing and contextualizing mindfulness: New and critical perspectives
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Conceptualizing and contextualizing mindfulness: New and critical perspectives
2015 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

This dissertation aims at analyzing mindfulness as a concept and a multidimensional phenomenon in its historic and primordial but also contemporary contexts. In the course of examining this more general question, this dissertation targets four specific objectives: 1) classifying existing definitions of mindfulness, 2) critically analyzing and interpreting the Buddhist and Western interpretations and practices of mindfulness, 3) elaborating on the social and existential dimensions of mindfulness, and 4) applying these dimensions in advancing the notion of mindful sustainable aging in the context of successful aging. Paper I examines and assesses the numerous definitions of mindfulness that have been presented over the years by a wide range of scholars from a variety of disciplines. Paper II traces the roots of modern mindfulness in Buddhism. It continues by exploring the utility and practices of mindfulness in the context of social work. The definitions provided in Paper I and the Buddhist underpinnings discussed in Paper II call attention to the fact that in addition to the more commonly considered physical and mental dimensions, mindfulness contains a social and an existential dimension as well – dimensions that remain under-researched and not well understood. To redress this imbalance, Paper III elaborates on these two latter dimensions, emphasizing their potential to enhance health, wellbeing and meaning in life. Paper III further argues that a more nuanced understanding of physical, mental, social and existential mindfulness can be obtained by examining the interconnectedness of all four fields. Paper IV continues the discussion of the social and the existential dimensions of mindfulness with specific emphasis on their utility for successful aging, and advances the notion of mindful sustainable aging. Paper IV highlights the potential of mindfulness for living a meaningful life and boosting the elderly’s capacity to find deeper meaning in their final stage of life.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Jönköping: Jönköping University, School of Health and Welfare, 2015. p. 77
Series
Hälsohögskolans avhandlingsserie, ISSN 1654-3602 ; 60
Keywords
mindfulness; Buddhism; sati; social work; health; sustainable aging
National Category
Social Work Gerontology, specialising in Medical and Health Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-27658 (URN)978-91-85835-59-1 (ISBN)
Public defence
2015-09-04, Insikten, Högskolevägen, Skövde, 13:00
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2015-08-04 Created: 2015-08-04 Last updated: 2023-10-09Bibliographically approved

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Nilsson, Håkan

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