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Mindfulness and eating: An exploration of effects and mediators. / KIMBERLEY JENKINS

Swansea University Author: KIMBERLEY JENKINS

Abstract

Mindfulness meditation is inereasingly being incorporated into psychotherapeutic interventions. However, whilst much research has addressed the question of whether mindfulness-based interventions work, less has been directed at how they work. The current thesis describes four studies that explored p...

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Published: 2013
Institution: Swansea University
Degree level: Doctoral
Degree name: Ph.D
URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa42213
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last_indexed 2020-09-04T03:03:01Z
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spelling 2020-09-03T08:51:13.2304329 v2 42213 2018-08-02 Mindfulness and eating: An exploration of effects and mediators. fe14e877c75a3bfb2b3fee4cb3e47b1b KIMBERLEY JENKINS KIMBERLEY JENKINS true false 2018-08-02 Mindfulness meditation is inereasingly being incorporated into psychotherapeutic interventions. However, whilst much research has addressed the question of whether mindfulness-based interventions work, less has been directed at how they work. The current thesis describes four studies that explored potential mechanisms by which mindfulness interventions may bring about change. Study 1 employed a correlational design to examine whether mindfulness practice is associated with increased attentional control. Studies 2 to 4 used experimental methods to examine the ways in which individual mindfulness-based techniques might exert their effects on a health- related behaviour (chocolate consumption). Study 1 (N=125) showed no evidence that meditation practice was associated with reduced attentional bias (assessed using dot-probe and emotional Stroop tasks). Study 2 (N=135) showed that a cognitive defusion task (but not an acceptance task) helped individuals to resist chocolate over a five-day period. There was evidence to indicate that the defusion task worked by interrupting automatic links between chocolate-related thoughts and chocolate consumption. Study 3 (N=108). however, failed to find evidence that the defusion strategy worked either by reducing automaticity or increasing the accessibility of competing goals. Study 4 (N=60) further showed that the defusion strategy did not influence chocolate cravings. In conclusion, the current research demonstrated the need to go beyond merely describing the positive effects of mindfulness on changing self-control related behaviours. The findings also highlighted the potential problems of current mindfulness-based interventions due to their complexity, and that one mindfulness-based intervention does not 'fit' all health-related behaviours to bring about change. Ensuring the population maintains a healthy diet is important. Brief mindfulness training may be a useful means of helping people choose more healthy options. Further dismantling design studies were however advised before the evidence can be used to inform public health policy and services. E-Thesis Clinical psychology. 31 12 2013 2013-12-31 COLLEGE NANME COLLEGE CODE Swansea University Doctoral Ph.D 2020-09-03T08:51:13.2304329 2018-08-02T16:24:28.4485804 Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences School of Psychology KIMBERLEY JENKINS 1 0042213-02082018162436.pdf 10797915.pdf 2018-08-02T16:24:36.9830000 Output 16262013 application/pdf E-Thesis true 2018-08-02T00:00:00.0000000 false
title Mindfulness and eating: An exploration of effects and mediators.
spellingShingle Mindfulness and eating: An exploration of effects and mediators.
KIMBERLEY JENKINS
title_short Mindfulness and eating: An exploration of effects and mediators.
title_full Mindfulness and eating: An exploration of effects and mediators.
title_fullStr Mindfulness and eating: An exploration of effects and mediators.
title_full_unstemmed Mindfulness and eating: An exploration of effects and mediators.
title_sort Mindfulness and eating: An exploration of effects and mediators.
author_id_str_mv fe14e877c75a3bfb2b3fee4cb3e47b1b
author_id_fullname_str_mv fe14e877c75a3bfb2b3fee4cb3e47b1b_***_KIMBERLEY JENKINS
author KIMBERLEY JENKINS
author2 KIMBERLEY JENKINS
format E-Thesis
publishDate 2013
institution Swansea University
college_str Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
hierarchytype
hierarchy_top_id facultyofmedicinehealthandlifesciences
hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofmedicinehealthandlifesciences
hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
department_str School of Psychology{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences{{{_:::_}}}School of Psychology
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description Mindfulness meditation is inereasingly being incorporated into psychotherapeutic interventions. However, whilst much research has addressed the question of whether mindfulness-based interventions work, less has been directed at how they work. The current thesis describes four studies that explored potential mechanisms by which mindfulness interventions may bring about change. Study 1 employed a correlational design to examine whether mindfulness practice is associated with increased attentional control. Studies 2 to 4 used experimental methods to examine the ways in which individual mindfulness-based techniques might exert their effects on a health- related behaviour (chocolate consumption). Study 1 (N=125) showed no evidence that meditation practice was associated with reduced attentional bias (assessed using dot-probe and emotional Stroop tasks). Study 2 (N=135) showed that a cognitive defusion task (but not an acceptance task) helped individuals to resist chocolate over a five-day period. There was evidence to indicate that the defusion task worked by interrupting automatic links between chocolate-related thoughts and chocolate consumption. Study 3 (N=108). however, failed to find evidence that the defusion strategy worked either by reducing automaticity or increasing the accessibility of competing goals. Study 4 (N=60) further showed that the defusion strategy did not influence chocolate cravings. In conclusion, the current research demonstrated the need to go beyond merely describing the positive effects of mindfulness on changing self-control related behaviours. The findings also highlighted the potential problems of current mindfulness-based interventions due to their complexity, and that one mindfulness-based intervention does not 'fit' all health-related behaviours to bring about change. Ensuring the population maintains a healthy diet is important. Brief mindfulness training may be a useful means of helping people choose more healthy options. Further dismantling design studies were however advised before the evidence can be used to inform public health policy and services.
published_date 2013-12-31T04:43:38Z
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score 11.102584

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