Mindfulness as practice: A network analysis of FMI data

Abstract

By committing to latent variable models, mindfulness research has aimed to transform observable practices into an identifiable real 'mindfulness' experience which is claimed to exist beyond what is directly observed. Recently, an alternative methodology has been developed which allows mindfulness to be modelled as a complex system or network at the level of self-report. This study hypothesised that a more densely connected network of observable practices is indicative of a greater level of development of mindfulness. MethodsMindfulness networks were estimated for practitioners and non-practitioners using the Friedberg Mindfulness Inventory (FMI). A total of 371 regular mindfulness practitioners, 224 non-practitioners and 59 irregular practitioners were recruited online from the Amazon Mechanical Turk database. ResultsComparisons of practitioners' and non-practitioners' networks indicated that network density did not significantly differ, whereas evidence was found in support of a significant difference in network structure. An exploratory analysis revealed that the FMI item representing the mindfulness practice of Acceptance was substantially more central in the Practitioners FMI network, relative to its position in the Non-practitioners FMI network. FMI items representing the mindfulness practices of Self-kindness and Returning to the Present were substantially more peripheral to the practitioners FMI network relative to their position in the non-practitioners FMI network. Conclusions. MINDFULNESS AS PRACTICE 3The study provides proof-of-principle support for investigating mindfulness as a complex network at the level of self-report. However, the lack of difference in network density indicates that future research is needed to examine network dynamics in the context of regular mindfulness practice.

Nature Connection, Mindfulness, and Wellbeing: A Network Analysis

“…Given the theoretical predictions that there would be a reciprocal relationship between the CNS and the FFMQ, and that mindfulness can be considered a process (of connected nodes) as opposed to an outcome or predictor (e.g., [35,42,43]), after initial inspection of correlations and ANOVAs, a network analysis was performed. In network analysis models, items become nodes in the network, while the statistical relations (e.g., correlations) between nodes become the edges, with the thickness of the edge indicating the strength of the relationship (i.e., the thicker the edge, the stronger the correlation).…”

“…The research was conducted via online questionnaire designed to target the local population and measure the network (EBIC GLASSO) of relationships between participants' level of nature connection (Connection to Nature Scale), hedonic and eudemonic wellbeing (Positive and Negative Affect Scale and Meaningfulness in Life Questionnaire), stress (Perceived Stress Scale) and mindfulness (Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire). Network analysis was selected as the preferred method given the likely reciprocal relationships between mindfulness and nature connection in relation to wellbeing (i.e., mindfulness increases nature connection, and nature connection increases mindfulness) that is consistent with the attention restoration hypothesis, while also acknowledging that mindfulness scales consist of interrelated practices, rather than mindfulness being a single outcome [35].…”

Holy be the Lay: A Way to Mindfulness Through Christian Poetry

“…Rather, through the insight of meditation a practitioner comes to a new appreciation of their experiences. So the journey of mindfulness is also the goal [22,25]. To gain a better understanding of this, we need to acknowledge the philosophy of the practice as presented in Buddhist traditions, where the source of our suffering and sense of dissatisfaction in life (in Pali it is dukkha) is that we mistakenly believe that things (be it objects, people, feelings etc.)…”