Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects
Kirk Warren Brown, Richard M. Ryan, J. David Creswell
Psychological Inquiry October 19, 2007 DOI: 10.1080/10478400701598298 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Interpersonal communication Empirical evidence Psychotherapist Mental health Empirical research Cognitive psychology Epistemology |
| Citations | 3,622 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness is associated with improved outcomes in mental health, physical health, behavioral regulation, and interpersonal relationships. |
Abstract
Interest in mindfulness and its enhancement has burgeoned in recent years. In this article, we discuss in detail the nature of mindfulness and its relation to other, established theories of attention and awareness in day-to-day life. We then examine theory and evidence for the role of mindfulness in curtailing negative functioning and enhancing positive outcomes in several important life domains, including mental health, physical health, behavioral regulation, and interpersonal relationships. The processes through which mindfulness is theorized to have its beneficial effects are then discussed, along with proposed directions for theoretical development and empirical research.