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Brian D. Ostafin

8 papers in the library · 639 citations · publishing 2006-2026

Papers

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Mindfulness in Relationships: Eight-Week Mindfulness Intervention Associated with Decreased Negative Emotion and Increased Nonreactivity in Non-meditating Romantic Partners

Mindfulness March 6, 2026 Christopher J. May, Rhoda Schuling, Liv Ziegfeld et al.

Abstract Objectives Mindfulness meditation is widely recognized for its individual psychological benefits, yet its interpersonal effects remain underexplored. This daily diary study examined whether and how mindfulness practice by one romantic partner influences the emotional well-being of their non-meditating partner. Method Using a randomized controlled design, couples were assigned to either...

Exploring young women's experiences of a mindful yoga intervention for depression in the Netherlands: Qualitative analysis of positive and negative effects

British Journal of Clinical Psychology September 17, 2025 Nina K. Vollbehr, Brian D. Ostafin, Agna A. Bartels‐Velthuis et al.

OBJECTIVES: Evidence of the benefits of yoga for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) is mixed and results mainly from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Adding qualitative measures to RCTs may give additional insight into the range of outcomes experienced by participants. We therefore used qualitative measures to assess the positive and negative experiences of young women (18-34...

Pattern Theory of Selflessness: How Meditation May Transform the Self-Pattern

Mindfulness August 1, 2024 Aviva Berkovich-Ohana, Kirk Warren Brown, Shaun Gallagher et al. 22 citations

Abstract For many centuries, scholars and philosophers from wisdom traditions in different cultures have reported and discussed non-self states of consciousness. These states can be both short-term (state, transitory) and long-term (trait, lasting) conditions. However, in psychology, the importance of a healthy self is usually emphasized, and some theorists have dismissed the idea of “selfless”...

Does Mindfulness Decrease or Increase Egoic Functioning? Diverging Evidence From Different Study Designs

Mindfulness May 1, 2024 Ivan Nyklı́ček, Brian D. Ostafin, Myrthe G. B. M. Boekhorst 3 citations

Abstract Objectives Mindfulness meditation has been claimed to decrease aspects of egoic functioning (EF). However, empirical evidence is largely lacking or is suggesting the reverse. Therefore, the aim was to examine the associations between mindfulness, mindfulness interventions, egoic functioning, and emotional well-being using different designs. Method We conducted three studies: (i) a...

The Self-Pattern and Buddhist Psychology

Mindfulness April 11, 2023 Shaun Gallagher, Antonino Raffone, Aviva Berkovich-Ohana et al. 49 citations

Abstract In this paper, we address core insights from Buddhist psychology about mind-body phenomena and the self, and we relate such insights to the notion of the self-pattern developed in the pattern theory of self. We emphasize the dynamic, temporal and enactive characteristics of the self-pattern, consistent with the core Buddhist notion of non-self. Although there is no one-to-one mapping...

The (In)flexible self: Psychopathology, mindfulness, and neuroscience.

International journal of clinical and health psychology : IJCHP 2023 Fabio Giommi, Prisca R. Bauer, Aviva Berkovich-Ohana et al. 70 citations

Clinical and neuroscientific evidence indicates that transdiagnostic processes contribute to the generation and maintenance of psychopathological symptoms and disorders. Rigidity (inflexibility) appears a core feature of most transdiagnostic pathological processes. Decreasing rigidity may prove important to restore and maintain mental health. One of the primary domains in which rigidity and...

Responding to uncertain threat: A potential mediator for the effect of mindfulness on anxiety.

Journal of Anxiety Disorders 2021 Inka Papenfuss, Miriam J. J. Lommen, Christian Grillon et al.

Mindfulness-based interventions have gained extensive support for their application in the treatment of anxiety. However, their mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Excessive reactivity to uncertainty plays a central role in anxiety, and may represent a mechanism for the effect of mindfulness on anxiety, as mindfulness training fosters an open and accepting stance towards all aspects of...

Mindfulness meditation and substance use in an incarcerated population.

Psychology of Addictive Behaviors August 28, 2006 Sarah Bowen, Katie Witkiewitz, Tiara M Dillworth et al. 495 citations

Despite the availability of various substance abuse treatments, alcohol and drug misuse and related negative consequences remain prevalent. Vipassana meditation (VM), a Buddhist mindfulness-based practice, provides an alternative for individuals who do not wish to attend or have not succeeded with traditional addiction treatments. In this study, the authors evaluated the effectiveness of a VM...