Mindfulness : an alternative perspective for the management of anxiety symptoms / Fleura Shkëmbi.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Shkëmbi, Fleura, author.

Series:

Psychology of Emotions, Motivations and Actions Series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mindfulness (Psychology).

Altered states of consciousness.

Anxiety.

Stress management.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (152 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New York : Nova Science Publishers, Inc., [2023]

Summary:

"The concept of transcendental (trance) states, also known as altered states of consciousness, has existed since ancient cultures with religious rites, ceremonies, prayers, meditation, yoga, etc. Because of the mysterious nature of consciousness, for a long time, altered states of consciousness have been characterized by opposing scientific stances and theoretical explanations. Only in the last decades, neuroscientific studies have determined that altered states of consciousness (such as rituals, hypnosis, breathwork, meditation, out-of-body experiences, near-death experiences, and the lucid dreaming state) share common neurocognitive characteristics such as lower perceptual boundaries, lack of reflective awareness, detachment from reality, feelings of relaxation and passivity. This book provides a comprehensive examination of the literature on altered states of consciousness, following with a detailed analysis of hypnosis, near-death experiences, and meditation, their scientific status as trance states, and their empirically supported benefits in treating anxiety disorders and enhancing well-being. The aim of this research work is thus to determine whether meditation and relaxation techniques can significantly improve stress and anxiety symptoms among young adults. For this purpose, a randomized experimental design was implemented to test the efficacy of guided meditation and deep breathing as mindfulness techniques in comparison to music relaxation (control condition) on anxiety levels (i.e., cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and self-esteem) among thirty-three university students in Albania. The intervention was carried out over four days, and the results showed that all groups (experimental and control) showed improved symptoms of anxiety, with guided meditation and deep breathing improving the majority of anxiety symptoms (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and cognitive anxiety). Despite some limitations, these findings provide important theoretical implications for the mindfulness and meditation literature, as well as practical implications for the use of mindfulness techniques as effective treatments for stress and anxiety management and well-being enhancement"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Intro

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgements

Acronyms

Chapter 1

Introduction

Chapter 2

Consciousness and Its Altered States

Hypnotic Trance

Hypnotherapy: A General Overview

Cognitive Hypnotherapy

Mindful Hypnotherapy

Meditation

Near-Death Experiences (NDEs)

Chapter 3

A General Overview of Anxiety Disorders

Theories of Anxiety

Epidemiology

Classification

Panic Disorder

Specific Phobia

Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Psychological and Pharmacological Treatments

Hypnosis and the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders

Meditation and the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders

The Impact of Near-Death Experiences on Life Aspects

Chapter 4

Empirical Study

Methodology

Participants

Materials/Measures

Research Design

Procedures

Data Analysis

Chapter 5

Results

Independent Samples T-Tests

Paired-Samples T-Tests

Guided Meditation and Deep Breathing Group

Music Relaxation (Control Group)

ANOVAs

Chapter 6

A New Paradigm on Beneficial Effects of Mindfulness Intervention on the Anxiety

Chapter 7

Limitations and Recommendations for Future Research

Chapter 8

Implications

Chapter 9

Conclusion

Disclosure Statement

Compliance with Ethical Standards, Informed Consent and Study Data

References

Index

Author's Contact Information

Blank Page.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Other Format:

Print version: Shkëmbi, Fleura Mindfulness: an Alternative Perspective for the Management of Anxiety Symptoms

ISBN:

9798886977974

OCLC:

1376931963