Skip to main content Skip to search
The relation between psychological flexibility and the Buddhist practices of meditation, nonattachment, and self-compassion
Format: Thesis
Publication Year: 2012
Place of Publication: United States -- Ohio
Pages: 179
Library/Archive: Copyright ProQuest, UMI Dissertations Publishing 2012
Sources ID: 22407
Visibility: Private
Abstract: (Show)

The purpose of this study was to add to the empirical literature in the growing area of psychological flexibility. Specifically, this study investigated the Buddhist practices of nonattachment, self-compassion, and meditation as they related to the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) construct of psychological flexibility among Buddhists. In addition, it was examined whether differences existed in levels of psychological flexibility among Buddhists and other religious and spiritually oriented individuals. Buddhist participants (N = 299) completed the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire - II (AAQ-II), Nonattachment Scale (NAS), Self-Compassion Scale - Short Form (SCS-SF), and a demographic questionnaire. Non-Buddhist participants (N=303) completed the AAQ-II and demographic questionnaire. Although findings indicated significant differences in degrees of psychological flexibility between Buddhists and non-Buddhists, the actual difference in mean scores was very small. Number of years of regular meditation practice, nonattachment, and self-compassion contributed to a significant degree of variance in degree of psychological flexibility among Buddhists, while the overall model was significant, accounting for ( R 2 ) 42.2% of the variance in psychological flexibility. Implications of results for clinical practice and counselor education, along with recommendations for future research are discussed.

Subjects: 
Buddhist Contemplation by Applied Subject
Psychology and Contemplation
Cognition and Contemplation
Buddhist Contemplation
Science and Buddhist Contemplation
Science and Contemplation
Contemplation by Applied Subject
Contemplation by Tradition