Skip to content

The Contribution of Mindfulness Practice to the Development of Professional Self-Concept in Students of Social Work

Liora Birnbaum

Mindfulness and Social Work June 1, 2009 DOI: 10.1093/oso/9781933478609.003.0006 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed
Topics Meditation
Key points Argues that while mindfulness meditation in social work education is associated with benefits like emotional regulation and self-awareness, the mechanisms by which it produces these outcomes are not yet understood, highlighting a gap in the literature.

Abstract

Abstract The use of mindfulness meditation in teaching social work represents a shift in social work education toward a broader holistic approach that utilizes bodily, cognitive, and emotional personal experiences in the learning process (Canda & Smith, 2001). The social work literature tends to be limited to describing the emotional and educational benefits associated with mindfulness meditation, among them emotional regulation, enhanced community and self-awareness, and an enriched teaching curriculum. Although these benefits have been studied and docu- mented, it is not clear how mindfulness produces them.