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Understanding the malleable determinants of cellular aging is critical to understanding human longevity. Telomeres may provide a pathway for exploring this question. Telomeres are the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. The length of telomeres offers insight into mitotic cell and possibly organismal longevity. Telomere length has now been linked to chronic stress exposure and depression. This raises the question of mechanism: How might cellular aging be modulated by psychological functioning? We consider two psychological processes or states that are in opposition to one another-threat cognition and mindfulness-and their effects on cellular aging. Psychological stress cognitions, particularly appraisals of threat and ruminative thoughts, can lead to prolonged states of reactivity. In contrast, mindfulness meditation techniques appear to shift cognitive appraisals from threat to challenge, decrease ruminative thought, and reduce stress arousal. Mindfulness may also directly increase positive arousal states. We review data linking telomere length to cognitive stress and stress arousal and present new data linking cognitive appraisal to telomere length. Given the pattern of associations revealed so far, we propose that some forms of meditation may have salutary effects on telomere length by reducing cognitive stress and stress arousal and increasing positive states of mind and hormonal factors that may promote telomere maintenance. Aspects of this model are currently being tested in ongoing trials of mindfulness meditation.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Scientific and Technical Information
Introduction: In the present study, the authors pilot a streamlined mindfulness teacher training protocol for Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) staff and examine the distribution and variability of psychologic outcomes for participants in groups led by an experienced instructor compared to a FQHC staff instructor who received the streamlined training.Methods: Seventy-four adult women aged 18–65 with depressive symptoms enrolled to participate in the 8-week group mindfulness intervention led by an experienced instructor (N = 33) or a novice instructor (N = 41). The effect of instructor on the outcomes depression, stress, mindfulness, functioning, well-being, and depression stigma was assessed at baseline, 8, and 16 weeks.
Results: Depressive symptoms and stress significantly decreased, and mindfulness significantly increased in the experienced and novice instructor groups. In the novice instructor group, there was also a significant increase in well-being and functioning. The change in depressive symptoms, stress, functioning, and well-being was significantly greater in the novice instructor group than the experienced instructor groups.
Conclusions: Preliminary data suggest that health care staff who receive streamlined training to deliver mindfulness-based interventions have comparable outcomes as experienced instructors.
BACKGROUND: In this study we examine the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of mindfulness based stress reduction adapted for delivery in an urban Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).METHODS: Thirty-one African- American adult women ages 18-65 with depressive symptoms enrolled to participate in an 8-week mindfulness group intervention. The primary outcome (depression) and secondary outcomes (stress, mindfulness, functioning, well-being, and depression stigma) were assessed at baseline, 8 and 16-weeks.
RESULTS: Depressive symptoms significantly decreased from baseline to 16 weeks. A significant decrease in stress and significant increase in mindfulness was found from baseline to 8 weeks and baseline to 16 weeks. Additionally, aspects of well-being-self-acceptance and growth-significantly increased from baseline to 8-weeks. Stigma significantly increased from baseline to 8 weeks and significantly decreased from 8 to 16 weeks (all p's < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Mindfulness-based interventions implemented in FQHCs may increase access to effective treatments for mental health symptoms.
BACKGROUND: In this study we examine the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of mindfulness based stress reduction adapted for delivery in an urban Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).METHODS: Thirty-one African- American adult women ages 18-65 with depressive symptoms enrolled to participate in an 8-week mindfulness group intervention. The primary outcome (depression) and secondary outcomes (stress, mindfulness, functioning, well-being, and depression stigma) were assessed at baseline, 8 and 16-weeks.
RESULTS: Depressive symptoms significantly decreased from baseline to 16 weeks. A significant decrease in stress and significant increase in mindfulness was found from baseline to 8 weeks and baseline to 16 weeks. Additionally, aspects of well-being-self-acceptance and growth-significantly increased from baseline to 8-weeks. Stigma significantly increased from baseline to 8 weeks and significantly decreased from 8 to 16 weeks (all p's < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Mindfulness-based interventions implemented in FQHCs may increase access to effective treatments for mental health symptoms.
BackgroundIn this study we examine the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of mindfulness based stress reduction adapted for delivery in an urban Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).
Methods
Thirty-one African- American adult women ages 18–65 with depressive symptoms enrolled to participate in an 8-week mindfulness group intervention. The primary outcome (depression) and secondary outcomes (stress, mindfulness, functioning, well-being, and depression stigma) were assessed at baseline, 8 and 16-weeks.
Results
Depressive symptoms significantly decreased from baseline to 16 weeks. A significant decrease in stress and significant increase in mindfulness was found from baseline to 8 weeks and baseline to 16 weeks. Additionally, aspects of well-being—self-acceptance and growth—significantly increased from baseline to 8-weeks. Stigma significantly increased from baseline to 8 weeks and significantly decreased from 8 to 16 weeks (all p's < 0.05).
Conclusions
Mindfulness-based interventions implemented in FQHCs may increase access to effective treatments for mental health symptoms.
BACKGROUND: In this study we examine the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of mindfulness based stress reduction adapted for delivery in an urban Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).METHODS: Thirty-one African- American adult women ages 18-65 with depressive symptoms enrolled to participate in an 8-week mindfulness group intervention. The primary outcome (depression) and secondary outcomes (stress, mindfulness, functioning, well-being, and depression stigma) were assessed at baseline, 8 and 16-weeks.
RESULTS: Depressive symptoms significantly decreased from baseline to 16 weeks. A significant decrease in stress and significant increase in mindfulness was found from baseline to 8 weeks and baseline to 16 weeks. Additionally, aspects of well-being-self-acceptance and growth-significantly increased from baseline to 8-weeks. Stigma significantly increased from baseline to 8 weeks and significantly decreased from 8 to 16 weeks (all p's < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Mindfulness-based interventions implemented in FQHCs may increase access to effective treatments for mental health symptoms.
CONTEXT: Advances in antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV offer life-extending benefit; however, the side effects associated with ART use negatively impact quality of life and medication adherence among people living with HIV.OBJECTIVES: This study tested the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for reducing ART symptoms and bother/distress related to ART side effects. Secondary aims were to test the impact of MBSR on medication adherence and psychological functioning.
METHODS: Seventy-six people living with HIV who were actively taking ART and reported distress from ART-related side effects were randomly assigned to an MBSR program or a wait-list control (WLC) standard care condition. We measured side effects, ART adherence, perceived stress, depression, positive and negative affect, and mindfulness at three time points: baseline, three-month follow-up, and six-month follow-up. Side effects and related distress were assessed separately from other symptoms.
RESULTS: Compared with a WLC, participants in the MBSR condition experienced a reduction in the frequency of symptoms attributable to ARTs at three months post-intervention (mean difference=0.33; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.01, 0.66; t(132)=2.04, P=0.044) and six months post-intervention (mean difference=0.38; 95% CI=0.05, 0.71; t(132)=2.27, P=0.025). MBSR participants also experienced a reduction in distress associated with those symptoms at three months post-intervention (mean difference=0.47; 95% CI=0.003, 0.94; t(132)=1.99, P=0.048) compared with the WLC condition.
CONCLUSION: MBSR is a promising approach for reducing HIV treatment-related side effects.
CONTEXT: Advances in antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV offer life-extending benefit; however, the side effects associated with ART use negatively impact quality of life and medication adherence among people living with HIV.OBJECTIVES: This study tested the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for reducing ART symptoms and bother/distress related to ART side effects. Secondary aims were to test the impact of MBSR on medication adherence and psychological functioning.
METHODS: Seventy-six people living with HIV who were actively taking ART and reported distress from ART-related side effects were randomly assigned to an MBSR program or a wait-list control (WLC) standard care condition. We measured side effects, ART adherence, perceived stress, depression, positive and negative affect, and mindfulness at three time points: baseline, three-month follow-up, and six-month follow-up. Side effects and related distress were assessed separately from other symptoms.
RESULTS: Compared with a WLC, participants in the MBSR condition experienced a reduction in the frequency of symptoms attributable to ARTs at three months post-intervention (mean difference=0.33; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.01, 0.66; t(132)=2.04, P=0.044) and six months post-intervention (mean difference=0.38; 95% CI=0.05, 0.71; t(132)=2.27, P=0.025). MBSR participants also experienced a reduction in distress associated with those symptoms at three months post-intervention (mean difference=0.47; 95% CI=0.003, 0.94; t(132)=1.99, P=0.048) compared with the WLC condition.
CONCLUSION: MBSR is a promising approach for reducing HIV treatment-related side effects.
PurposeHIV induces a pro-inflammatory response that is linked to increased morbidity and mortality. Stress and depression have been associated with elevated inflammation. We sought to test whether Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) would improve high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and D-dimer in HIV+ adults, and to explore the cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between psychological state and these markers.
Methods
We randomized antiretroviral-untreated HIV+ adults with CD4+ counts >250 cells/µl to MBSR or an education/support control group. Baseline, 3, and 12 month measures included: Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ), State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS+/-). Data were censored for starting antiretroviral therapy during follow-up.
Results
Of 177 participants, 132 (71 MBSR, 61 control) had complete specimen panels and were eligible for this sub-study. MBSR did not appear to have a substantial effect on change in hsCRP or D-dimer from baseline to 3, or 12 months (p>0.10), though CIs were wide. hsCRP at baseline was positively correlated with: PSS (β=0.18, p=0.034), BDI (β=0.21, p=0.014), PHQ (β=0.15, p=0.087), PANAS+/- (β=0.17, p=0.049), and STAI (β=0.19, p=0.030). hsCRP was correlated with BMI (β=0.25, p=0.004). After controlling for BMI, age, and viral load, hsCRP remained associated with BDI (β=0.19 p=0.03) and STAI (β=0.16 p=0.065). D-dimer showed no substantial baseline correlation with any scale (β<0.1, p>0.5). No substantial longitudinal relationships were found between change in hsCRP or D-dimer and change in any psychological measure (β<0.12, p>0.2).
Conclusion
MBSR did not appear to substantially improve hsCRP or D-dimer. Correlations between hsCRP and psychological measures were in hypothesized directions. The observation that hsCRP was associated with depression in multivariate analysis suggests a causal association between these processes. Interventional studies aimed at reducing inflammation, or improving mood, are needed to clarify this association and to identify future therapeutic strategies.
In this article we present background, theoretical rationale, and pilot data on the development of an intervention designed to increase positive affect in people living with serious health-related stress. This proof-of-concept study demonstrated that a multiple-component positive affect intervention is feasible and acceptable for people newly diagnosed with HIV. Retention in the intervention and adherence to home practice were high. Participants reported significant increases in positive affect and significant decreases in negative affect. This positive affect intervention can serve as a template for programs to be developed to help people experiencing health-related and other types of life stress.
BackgroundThere is increasing evidence showing beneficial effects of mindfulness and mindfulness training on various indicators of mental and physical health.
Purpose
This paper reports the 6-month follow-up effects of a mindfulness stress reduction training program among patients treated for cancer on perceived stress, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms, positive states of mind, coping self-efficacy, and mindfulness.
Methods
Patients with a previous cancer diagnosis were recruited and randomized into an intervention group or a waiting-list control group. The intervention consisted of an 8-week mindfulness-training course.
Results
Compared to participants in the control group, the intervention group showed a larger increase in mindfulness at 6-month follow-up. However, there were no differences on any of the other outcomes between the intervention and control groups. Continued meditation practice was associated with a significant reduction in post traumatic stress symptoms of avoidance.
Conclusions
The study draws attention to the need to better understand the mechanisms behind the effect of mindfulness training, and to potential modification of mindfulness interventions to promote sustained benefits over time.
BACKGROUND:There is increasing recognition of mindfulness and mindfulness training as a way to decrease stress and increase psychological functioning.
PURPOSE:
The aims of this study were to examine the effects of mindfulness stress reduction training on perceived stress and psychological well-being and to examine if changes in mindfulness mediate intervention effects on these outcomes.
METHODS:
Seventy women and one man with a previous cancer diagnosis (mean age 51.8 years, standard deviation = 9.86) were randomized into an intervention group or a wait-list control group. The intervention consisted of an 8-week mindfulness training course.
RESULTS:
Compared to participants in the control group, participants in the mindfulness training group had significantly decreased perceived stress and posttraumatic avoidance symptoms and increased positive states of mind. Those who participated in the intervention reported a significant increase in scores on the five-facet mindfulness questionnaire (FFMQ) when compared to controls. The increase in FFMQ score mediated the effects of the intervention on perceived stress, posttraumatic avoidance symptoms, and positive states of mind.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study indicates that the improvements in psychological well-being resulting from mindfulness stress reduction training can potentially be explained by increased levels of mindfulness as measured with the FFMQ. The importance of these findings for future research in the field of mindfulness is discussed.
An ideal text for undergraduate- and graduate-level courses, this accessible yet authoritative volume examines how people come to know themselves and understand the behavior of others. Core social-psychological questions are addressed as students gain an understanding of the mental processes involved in perceiving, attending to, remembering, thinking about, and responding to the people in our social world. Particular attention is given to how we know what we know: the often hidden ways in which our perceptions are shaped by contextual factors and personal and cultural biases. While the text's coverage is sophisticated and comprehensive, synthesizing decades of research in this dynamic field, every chapter brings theories and findings down to earth with lively, easy-to-grasp examples.
What can a speech reveal about someone's state? We tested the idea that greater stress reactivity would relate to lower linguistic cognitive complexity while speaking. In Study 1, we tested whether heart rate and emotional stress reactivity to a stressful discussion would relate to lower linguistic complexity. In Studies 2 and 3, we tested whether a greater cortisol response to a standardized stressful task including a speech (Trier Social Stress Test) would be linked to speaking with less linguistic complexity during the task. We found evidence that measures of stress responsivity (emotional and physiological) and chronic stress are tied to variability in the cognitive complexity of speech. Taken together, these results provide evidence that our individual experiences of stress or "stress signatures"-how our body and mind react to stress both in the moment and over the longer term-are linked to how complex our speech under stress.
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This systematic review examines the socio-economic and demographic characteristics of adults enrolled in US-based randomized controlled trials of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). We conducted a literature search using Medline, PsycINFO, and CINAHL electronic databases from the earliest available until March 2017. We found 69 randomized controlled trials that met inclusion criteria. Only one study specifically aimed to test the mindfulness interventions in racial/ethnic minority or lower socio-economic status populations and none reported their effectiveness in these populations. For the 56 articles that reported the proportion of Caucasians in their samples, 79% of all individuals were identified as Caucasian. Out of the 45 studies that reported data on other races and ethnicities, 76% of the individuals were Caucasian, 11% were African-American, 4% were Asian-American, 4% were Hispanic/Latinx, < 1% were American Indian/Native American, and 5% were reported as “other” or multi-ethnic. The three most commonly reported socio-economic characteristics were educational attainment (n = 48), employment/professional status (n = 29), and income (n = 27). The proportion of college graduates in the study samples was higher than the national average in all but one of the studies that reported this data. Most of the studies that reported employment rates had more than half of their participants employed. Of the studies that reported average income, most had more than 50% of their participants making over $40,000 a year. This review highlights the need for increased diversity in randomized controlled trials of mindfulness-based interventions as these interventions have great promise to alleviate mental and physical health problems in underserved populations.