Synonyms
Definition
Mindfulness is a way of observing and relating to one’s experience and has been defined as “paying attention, in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally” (Kabat-Zinn 1994, p. 4). It is commonly acknowledged to involve two key components: self-regulating attention to maintain awareness on a moment-to-moment basis and adopting an attitude of nonjudgmental openness and acceptance toward experience. Thus, mindfulness refers to the ongoing impartial observation of experience (e.g., thoughts, feelings, sensations, urges) as it exists in that moment, without making judgments or evaluations (e.g., regarding truth or value) and without attempts to avoid, ruminate, change, or otherwise control it. Importantly, acceptance in this context refers to the readiness to allow and experience events just as they are and therefore can be differentiated from resignation or agreement...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References and Further Reading
Atkinson, M. J., & Wade, T. D. (2012). Impact of metacognitive acceptance on body dissatisfaction and negative affect: Engagement and efficacy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 80(3), 416–425.
Atkinson, M. J., & Wade, T. D. (2013). Enhancing dissemination in selective eating disorders prevention: An investigation of voluntary participation among female university students. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 51(12), 806–816.
Atkinson, M. J., & Wade, T. D. (2014). Does mindfulness have potential in eating disorders prevention? A preliminary controlled trial with young adult women. Early Interv Psychiatry. Advance online publication.
Atkinson, M. J., & Wade, T. D. (2015). Mindfulness-based prevention for eating disorders: A school-based cluster randomized controlled study. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 48(7), 1024–1037.
Jacobi, C., Hayward, C., de Zwaan, M., Kraemer, H. C., & Agras, W. S. (2004). Coming to terms with risk factors for eating disorders: Application of risk terminology and suggestions for a general taxonomy. Psychological Bulletin, 130(1), 19–65.
Kabat-Zinn, J. (1994). Wherever you go there you are: Mindfulness meditation in everyday life. New York: Hyperion.
Lavender, J. M., Gratz, K. L., & Tull, M. T. (2011). Exploring the relationship between facets of mindfulness and eating pathology in women. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 40(3), 174–182.
Pearson, A. N., Follette, V. M., & Hayes, S. C. (2012). A pilot study of acceptance and commitment therapy as a workshop intervention for body dissatisfaction and disordered eating attitudes. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 19(1), 181–197.
Scime, M., & Cook-Cottone, C. (2008). Primary prevention of eating disorders: A constructivist integration of mind and body strategies. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 41(2), 134–142.
Stice, E. (2001). A prospective test of the dual-pathway model of bulimic pathology: Mediating effects of dieting and negative affect. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 110(1), 124–135.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2015 Springer Science+Business Media Singapore
About this entry
Cite this entry
Atkinson, M.J. (2015). Mindfulness and Acceptance-Based Prevention of Eating Disorders. In: Wade, T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Feeding and Eating Disorders. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-087-2_131-1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-087-2_131-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Online ISBN: 978-981-287-087-2
eBook Packages: Springer Reference MedicineReference Module Medicine