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Mechanisms of Mindfulness: A Buddhist Psychological Model

Mindfulness volume 2, pages 154–166 (2011)Cite this article

An Erratum to this article was published on 09 July 2011

Abstract

Several models have explored the possible change mechanisms underlying mindfulness-based interventions from the perspectives of multiple disciplines, including cognitive science, affective neuroscience, clinical psychiatry, and psychology. Together, these models highlight the complexity of the change process underlying these interventions. However, no one model appears to be sufficiently comprehensive in describing the mechanistic details of this change process. In an attempt to address this gap, we propose a psychological model derived from Buddhist contemplative traditions. We use the proposed Buddhist psychological model to describe what occurs during mindfulness practice and identify specific mechanisms through which mindfulness and attention regulation practices may result in symptom reduction as well as improvements in well-being. Other explanatory models of mindfulness interventions are summarized and evaluated in the context of this model. We conclude that the comprehensive and detailed nature of the proposed model offers several advantages for understanding how mindfulness-based interventions exert their clinical benefits and that it is amenable to research investigation.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Steve Armstrong and Susan Woods for reviewing an earlier version of this manuscript and for providing insightful feedback.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Suite 552-600 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V5Z 4E6

    Andrea D. Grabovac

  2. BC Mental Health and Addiction Services, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Mark A. Lau & Brandilyn R. Willett

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  1. Andrea D. Grabovac
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  2. Mark A. Lau
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  3. Brandilyn R. Willett
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andrea D. Grabovac.

Additional information

An erratum to this article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12671-011-0062-5

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Grabovac, A.D., Lau, M.A. & Willett, B.R. Mechanisms of Mindfulness: A Buddhist Psychological Model. Mindfulness 2, 154–166 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-011-0054-5

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Keywords

  • Mindfulness
  • Meditation
  • Psychological model
  • Buddhism
  • Insight