Integrating Mindfulness into Positive Psychology: a Randomised Controlled Trial of an Online Positive Mindfulness Program

Abstract

Abstract:The purpose of the present study was to test the efficacy of an 8-week online intervention-based Positive Mindfulness Program (PMP) that integrated mindfulness with a series of positive psychology variables, with a view to improving wellbeing scores measured in these variables. The positive mindfulness cycle, based on positive intentions and savouring, provides the theoretical foundation for the PMP. The study was based on a randomised wait-list controlled trial; and 168 participants (128 females, mean age = 40.82) completed the intervention which included daily videos, meditations, and activities. The variables tested included wellbeing measures, such as gratitude, self-compassion, selfefficacy, meaning, and autonomy. Pre-and post-intervention data, including one month after the end of the intervention, were collected from both experimental and control groups. The post-test measurements of the experimental participants showed a significant improvement in all the dependent variables compared with the pre-test ones and were also significantly higher than those of the control group. One month after the intervention, the experimental group participants retained their improvement in 10 out of the 11 measurements. These positive results indicate that PMP may be effective in enhancing wellbeing and other positive variables in adult, non-clinical populations.

The Impact of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Happiness: A Reflection on the Relevance of Integrating a Positive Psychology Framework within Mindfulness Research in Youth

“…In light of these results, it is possible that the MBI was more useful in allowing Mike to live in the present moment and to notice positive events in his life, leading him to increased happiness levels, rather than impacting directly on his depressive symptoms (Brown 2015;Brown and Ryan 2003). Our results also support those from past research in adult populations, showing that a mindful state is related to positive variables such as well-being, happiness, positive affect, self-regulation, compassion and autonomy (Brown and Ryan 2003;Friese and Hofmann 2016;Ivtzan et al 2016;Lau et al 2006). Finally, they complement results of Schonert-Reichl et al's (2015) study of elementary school children showing that a MBI increased levels of optimism, emotional regulation and empathy.…”

“…Furthermore, given that it is not possible to live a life devoid of unpleasant and stressful events, it is possible that the MBI helped Mike increase his happiness by increasing his awareness of positive experiences and by building his resilience to stress (Wong 2011). Accordingly, past research has suggested that MBIs have an impact on well-being by bringing awareness to and enhancing the savoring of day-to-day experiences (Garland et al 2015;Ivtzan et al 2016;Lindsay and Creswell 2015).…”

“…These globally point to a positive impact of MBIs on well-being, as broadly defined (e.g. positive affect, happiness, emotional regulation skills, autonomy and meaning) (Brown et al 2007;Chang et al 2015;Choi et al 2012;Ivtzan et al 2016). Being in a mindful state has been linked to greater well-being in adults, leading to higher levels of happiness, positive affect, selfregulation and autonomous behavior (Brown and Ryan 2003;Friese and Hofmann 2016;Lau et al 2006).…”

“…Results from a randomized controlled trial indicated that a smartphone-based MBI significantly increased positive affect and decreased depressive symptoms in a sample of happiness seeking adults (Howells et al 2016). A recent study by Ivtzan et al (2016) showed a positive impact of a MBI on well-being (namely positive emotions, self-compassion, happiness, autonomy, self-efficacy, meaning and compassion to others), while reducing depression and stress symptoms. Results were maintained at follow-up.…”

Soft is hard: building resilience with loving kindness meditation at work

“…Further exploration of meditation reveals an intervention with a broad range of beneficial psychological effects. According to a recent mindfulness review 23,24 among others these include positive affect, cognitive flexibility, and emotional regulation. In addition, meditative approaches commonly provide mechanisms for facing or approaching, rather than avoiding difficulty.…”