Minority and low-income couples tend to experience greater individual and relational stress compared to higher income and/or White couples, which is likely due to the unique challenges these populations face. Given that previous studies indicate mindfulness reduces both individual and relationship stress, it may be a particularly useful tool for these underserved populations. Unfortunately, low-income …
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The impact of a mindfulness-based intervention on opioid misuse during pregnancy: A mixed methods pilot RCT
Opioid pain medication use during pregnancy is a growing concern in the United States. This study will explore the effects of a mindfulness-based intervention, Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE), on opioid misuse, opioid craving, and parenting behavior among pregnant women using opioids. MORE has been found to decrease automatic attention to opioids, increase emotion regulation, and …
The effects of mindfulness meditation on pain and heart rate variability
Pain is a multidimensional experience that combines sensory, affective, and cognitive factors, causing its treatment to be extremely complicated and expensive. However, mindfulness meditation has been shown to be a cost-effective approach to decreasing experimental and clinical pain. We have repeatedly shown that four days of mindfulness meditation training can significantly reduce experimentally induced pain …
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Tracking the neural network interaction changes associated with the initiation and maintenance of regular meditation practice with longitudinal EEG data
Meditation-naïve participants (n=45) will be recruited from Auburn University. Once recruited, participants will be randomized to either the meditation group, the active control group, or the inactive control group. Every effort will be made to promote engagement and reduce attrition, including offering extra credit in psychology classes along with monetary incentives. Each EEG and psychophysiological …
Improving the measurement of mindfulness: Validation of observer-rated and self-report measures of mindfulness training
There is clear evidence that mindfulness is a beneficial trait and one that can be cultivated with training. However, science has made relatively modest progress in developing our ability to measure mindfulness. To date, most research relies heavily on asking people how mindful they are, gathering assessments that may or may not accurately reflect reality. …
The Meta-Awareness Task (MAT): A novel behavioral measurement methodology of mindfulness
An important next step in the field of mindfulness measurement is the development of behavioral methods quantifying processes of attention and awareness in mindfulness meditation. We propose that these processes include: sustained attention, disengagement from mindlessness, intentional shifting of awareness, and an open field of awareness. Accordingly, we developed a novel behavioral paradigm measuring these …
Dissecting de-automatization: The effect of mindfulness training on unconscious habit formation
Maladaptive habits are at the root of a variety of clinical concerns, including depression, substance abuse and suicidality. Mindfulness meditation is believed to inhibit maladaptive habit formation by increasing awareness of cognitive and emotional states while also decreasing reactivity. Relaxing cognitive and behavioral habits may allow more mindful people to behave in ways that are …
From egocentric to ecocentric: Pro-social and pro-environmental actualizations of mindfulness at an intensive monastic retreat
The present research uniquely sheds light on the practices of Humanistic Buddhism (a form of Engaged Buddhism most prevalent in modern Taiwan), which have been completely neglected in contemplative science. It also explores the social and ecological implications of contemplative practice, another under-investigated area of research. By investigating the effects of a Buddhist monastic retreat …
Creating implicit and phenomenological assessments of nonjudgmental orientation to experience
I am developing and validating two behavioral assessments of nonjudgmental orientation to experience, a key dimension of mindfulness. Currently, mindfulness is most commonly assessed by self-report questionnaires, which suffer from numerous limitations. Developing measures beyond self-report to assess nonjudgment is essential to exploring its role in mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) and contemplative practices. Additionally, the development …
Bridging the empathy gap: Effects of brief mindfulness training on helping outgroup members in need
When humans witness others in need, we empathize with them and often help them. It is well documented that empathy occurs automatically, but when those in need are not members of a social ingroup, empathy and helping are often lower. One major social division in America and in other countries is based on race. Although …
