Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Program and its Application in Health Psychology

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Program developed by Kabat-Zinn. The meaning of mindfulness, Kabat-Zinn's view of mediation, and six techniques of MBSR—eating meditation, breathing, body scan, yoga, walking meditation and sitting meditation—are explained. The effectiveness of MBSR on increased stress tolerance, cognitive change, improved self-management, relaxation, increased ability for acceptance, and awareness of body sensation are introduced, and the literature reporting the applications of MBSR on patients with various conditions, including pain, anxiety, depression, eating disorder, skin disease, cancer and organ transplant, as well as its application to lifestyle modification are reviewed. Finally, potential applications of MBSR in health psychology with a particular focus in the area of health education are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved). (journal abstract)