From Goal-Striving to Right Intention : A Grounded Theory Analysis of Interviews with Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Participants

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) helps people to manage stress reactivity through contemplative practices such as meditation. The creator of the program, Kabat-Zinn, (1994) defines mindfulness as “…paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally” (p. 4). Shapiro et al. (2006) clarified this definition as consisting of three mechanisms of mindfulness. In particular, their mechanism “intention” captures Kabat-Zinn’s phrase “on purpose.” Historically, mindfulness practices were intended to cultivate compassion and enlightenment; thus, these should be included in a psychological model of mindfulness (Shapiro & Schwartz, 2000). In keeping with their approach, this project explored the concept of intentionality as used by MBSR practitioners. The literature shows most participants begin the course expecting to achieve concrete outcomes. During the course, there is often a shift in their understanding of mindfulness practice: from goal-attainment to a way of being. The guiding research question therefore was, “After taking the MBSR course, how do participants discuss shifts in their intention to practice mindfulness?” The data were semi-structured conversations conducted with participants (N = 14) who completed the MBSR program. The method of analysis used was Grounded Theory (GT), a systematic method of content analysis (Charmaz, 1995). This entailed four procedures: (1) interviews were recorded, (2) audio recordings were carefully transcribedverbatim, (3) Open Coding exhaustively captured the content of participants’ responses, (4) Focused Coding explored a subset of the coded content. Using a process of constant comparison, codes were sub-divided, revised and integrated to create Themes across participants. Analyses were conducted utilizing four recurring codes: “intention,” “expectation,” “pre/post-course changes,” and “mindfulness definition.” Two themes emerged: content-oriented and process-oriented shifts in intentions to practice. These findings support the idea that any model of mindfulness ought to take practitioners’ intentions into account

From Goal-Striving to Right Intention : A Grounded Theory Analysis of Interviews with Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Participants

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) helps people to manage stress reactivity through contemplative practices such as meditation. The creator of the program, Kabat-Zinn (1994), defines mindfulness as “paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally” (p. 4). Shapiro et al. (2006) clarified this definition as consisting of three mechanisms of mindfulness. In particular, their mechanism “intention” captures Kabat-Zinn’s phrase “on purpose.” Historically, mindfulness practices were intended to cultivate compassion and insight; thus, practitioners’ intentions need to be included in a psychological model of mindfulness (Shapiro & Schwartz, 2000). In keeping with their approach, this project explored the concept of intentionality as reported by MBSR practitioners. Participants often begin the course expecting to achieve stress relief, psychological change, or some other concrete outcome (Kabat-Zinn, 1990; Santorelli, 1999). During the course, there is often a shift in their understanding of mindfulness practice: from a method of goal-attainment to a way of being. This shift in intention has not been studied directly; the guiding research question therefore was, “After taking the MBSR course, how do participants discuss shifts in their intention to practice mindfulness?” The data were semi-structured conversations conducted with participants (N = 14) who completed the MBSR program. The approach used was Grounded Theory (GT), a systematic method of content analysis (Charmaz, 1995). Using a process of constant comparison, codes were sub-divided, grouped and integrated to create themes within and across participant interviews. Three themes emerged: Doing: Practicing to Achieve, Being: Practicing to Become Mindful, and Shifting Awareness: From Doing to Being. Findings support the idea that any model of mindfulness ought to take practitioners’ intentions into account as they are complex and may impact the efficacy of MBSR

Ethnic variations in sexual behaviour in Great Britain and risk of sexually transmitted infections: a probability survey.

BACKGROUND: Ethnic variations in the rate of diagnosed sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have been reported in many developed countries. We used data from the second British National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal 2000) to investigate the frequency of high-risk sexual behaviours and adverse sexual health outcomes in five ethnic groups in Great Britain. METHODS: We did a stratified probability sample survey of 11161 men and women aged 16-44 years, resident in Great Britain, using computer-assisted interviews. Additional sampling enabled us to do more detailed analyses for 949 black Caribbean, black African, Indian, and Pakistani respondents. We used logistic regression to assess reporting of STI diagnoses in the past 5 years, after controlling for demographic and behavioural variables. FINDINGS: We noted striking variations in number of sexual partnerships by ethnic group and between men and women. Reported numbers of sexual partnerships in a lifetime were highest in black Caribbean (median 9 [IQR 4-20]) and black African (9 [3-20]) men, and in white (5 [2-9]) and black Caribbean (4 [2-7]) women. Indian and Pakistani men and women reported fewer sexual partnerships, later first intercourse, and substantially lower prevalence of diagnosed STIs than did other groups. We recorded a significant association between ethnic origin and reported STIs in the past 5 years with increased risk in sexually active black Caribbean (OR 2.74 [95% CI 1.22-6.15]) and black African (2.95 [1.45-5.99]) men compared with white men, and black Caribbean (2.41 [1.35-4.28]) women compared with white women. Odds ratios changed little after controlling for age, number of sexual partnerships, homosexual and overseas partnerships, and condom use at last sexual intercourse. INTERPRETATION: Individual sexual behaviour is a key determinant of STI transmission risk, but alone does not explain the varying risk across ethnic groups. Our findings suggest a need for targeted and culturally competent prevention interventions

A Roundtable for Victoria M. Grieve, Little Cold Warriors: American Childhood in the 1950s

Dr. Thomas Field introduces a roundtable discussion of Victoria M. Grieve\u27s Little Cold Warriors: American Childhood in the 1950s, providing a synopsis of reviewer critiques before the reviewers expand on their views and the author responds