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Objective: Studying personal narratives can generate understanding of how people experience physical and mental illness. However, few studies have explored narratives of engagement in health positive behaviours, with none focusing on men specifically. Thus, we sought to examine men's experiences of their efforts to engage in and maintain healthy behaviours, focusing on meditation as an example of such behaviour. Design: We recruited 30 male meditators, using principles of maximum variation sampling, and conducted two in-depth interviews with each, separated by a year. Main outcome measures: We sought to elicit men's narratives of their experiences of trying to maintain a meditation practice. Results: We identified an overall theme of a 'positive health trajectory,' in particular, making 'progress' through meditation. Under this were six main accounts. Only two articulated a 'positive' message about progress: Climbing a hierarchy of practitioners, and progress catalysed in other areas of life. The other four reflected the difficulties around progress: Progress being undermined by illness; disappointment with progress; progress 'forgotten' (superseded by other concerns); and progress re-conceptualised due to other priorities. Conclusion: Men's narratives reveal the way they experience and construct their engagement with meditation - as an example of health behaviour - in terms of progress.
... Meditation and Pranayama is an ancient technique to revive your weary soul and help you deal effectively with stress, anxiety, depression, phobias etc…, Meditation one of the eight limbs of yoga this is completely shutting out all kinds of mental fluctuations (Mishra et al. (2012) [20] , Lavretsky et al. (2013) [21] , Edo Shonin et al. (2013) [22] , Meera Balasubramaniam et al. (2013) [23] , Goyal M et al.(2014) [24] , Tim Lomas et al. (2014) [25] . Mudras are particular positions of the hands and the body in order to establish powerful and special energy patterns, similar to electrical circuits. ...
... Meditation and Pranayama is an ancient technique to revive your weary soul and help you deal effectively with stress, anxiety, depression, phobias etc…, Meditation one of the eight limbs of yoga this is completely shutting out all kinds of mental fluctuations (Mishra et al. (2012) [20] , Lavretsky et al. (2013) [21] , Edo Shonin et al. (2013) [22] , Meera Balasubramaniam et al. (2013) [23] , Goyal M et al.(2014) [24] , Tim Lomas et al. (2014) [25] . Mudras are particular positions of the hands and the body in order to establish powerful and special energy patterns, similar to electrical circuits. ...
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The review article states that yoga has been used throughout the world for thousands of years and their benefits have been repeatedly documented by physiological and psychological problems. Yoga can formulate a positive change in people suffering from these distressing states of mind and behaviour it is proved can help the reducing their anxiety, stress, depression, phobia etc… levels and thus capable of dealing with mental ill health situations this astanga yoga techniques work towards balancing the excitatory neurotransmitter levels in the brain.
... For instance, some qualitative studies suggest a link between the practice of mindfulness meditation in a healthcare context and Buddhist religious practice. One of them is based on a survey conducted among Buddhist meditators who claimed to have turned to this practice (mindfulness meditation) while seeking a method to better manage their stress [15]. Opponents of mindfulness meditation use this example to assert that this practice is a kind of "Trojan horse" for Buddhism and to conclude that it violates the principle of secularism in force in France [13,14]. ...
... Not entirely, if we consider studies that have sought to evaluate the impact of mindfulness meditation on spirituality [12]. Authors interested in this practice have assessed whether it increases spirituality and thereby the mental health of individuals [14,15]. Demonstrating that mindfulness meditation increases spirituality would be relevant in the context of the controversy between advocates and opponents. ...
... Qualitative interview studies indicate that the most frequently reported barriers to meditation include negative emotional experiences and thoughts, difficulties associated with the length of mindfulness practice, and difficulties maintaining regular practice and fitting it into one's daily routines (Laurie & Blandford, 2016;Banerjee et al., 2017). In turn, engagement with meditation is fostered by the positive experiences of one's ongoing progress (Lomas et al., 2014;Banerjee et al., 2017). ...
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Background: The benefits of mindfulness interventions are well-known, but their challenges and individual differences in reactions to these challenges are much less clear. Methods: The study used a mixed-methods design to investigate the individual trajectories of daily experiences during meditation in a sample of novice volunteers participating in a 3-week, distance-based, guided meditation intervention (N = 175). Results: Multilevel modelling revealed individual differences in the change trajectories of the experiences of effort, meaning, and boredom during meditation, indicating that meditation gradually became less effortful, less boring, more interesting, and more important over the 3 weeks. The individual differences in the levels of these experiences and their change trends were associated with baseline differences in well-being, reflective processes, self-management, and self-control skills, as well as autonomous motivation to engage in the course. Conclusions: Individuals who are initially more autonomous and mindful find it easier to engage with online mindfulness interventions and draw more benefits from the process, whereas those with lower self-regulation skills or higher proneness to rumination are more likely to experience mindfulness as effortful and boring, and, eventually, to give it up.
... In addition, understanding the factors underlying gender differences in yoga practice is important given the higher rates of lifestyle-related morbidity in men and challenges around engaging men in health protective behaviours. 47 Further exploration of the gender differential is warranted and could draw on the perceptions of yoga in Western countries compared with those in India. ...
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Objectives Despite the popularity of yoga and evidence of its positive effects on physical and mental health, little is known about yoga practice in the UK. This study investigated the characteristics of people who practise yoga, reasons for initiating and maintaining practice, and perceived impact of yoga on health and well-being. Design, setting and participants A cross-sectional online anonymous survey distributed through UK-based yoga organisations, studios and events, through email invites and flyers. 2434 yoga practitioners completed the survey, including 903 yoga teachers: 87% were women, 91% white and 71% degree educated; mean age was 48.7 years. Main outcome measures Perceived impact of yoga on health conditions, health outcomes and injuries. Relationships between yoga practice and measures of health, lifestyle, stress and well-being. Results In comparison with national population norms, participants reported significantly higher well-being but also higher anxiety; lower perceived stress, body mass index and incidence of obesity, and higher rates of positive health behaviours. 47% reported changing their motivations to practise yoga, with general wellness and fitness key to initial uptake, and stress management and spirituality important to current practice. 16% of participants reported starting yoga to manage a physical or mental health condition. Respondents reported the value of yoga for a wide range of health conditions, most notably for musculoskeletal and mental health conditions. 20.7% reported at least one yoga-related injury over their lifetime. Controlling for demographic factors, frequency of yoga practice accounted for small but significant variance in health-related regression models (p<0.001). Conclusion The findings of this first detailed UK survey were consistent with surveys in other Western countries. Yoga was perceived to have a positive impact on physical and mental health conditions and was linked to positive health behaviours. Further investigation of yoga’s role in self-care could inform health-related challenges faced by many countries.
... These results are similar to Lomas et al. who studied personal narratives of male meditators and found similar reasons for use accompanied by the experience of not progressing in practice to a place of experiencing benefits. 12 Upchurch and Johnson contextualized their study by aligning it with the Andersen Behavioral Model, which is well tested, familiar, and useful to clinicians. Their suggestion that women may have ''greater health literacy'' compared with men is an interesting one that merits future research. ...
... noted, failure to track such participation is a perennial issue in MBI research, and this trend was observed in the studies analysed here. Additionally, beyond people simply participating in an MBI, much more knowledge is needed about the extent and quality of their involvement with meditation.In that respect, besides quantitatively tracking participation, studies could incorporate a qualitative element to their assessment (seeLomas, Cartwright, Edginton, and Ridge (2013, 2014a, 2014b, 2016 on the value of qualitative analyses in relation to mindfulness practice). Third, where possible, trials should involve well-established MBIs (i.e., rather than bespoke adaptations), to better enable comparison and aggregation across studies. ...
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Efforts to improve the well-being of healthcare professionals include mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs). To understand the value of such initiatives, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of empirical studies pertaining to the use of MBIs with healthcare professionals. Databases were reviewed from the start of records to January 2016 (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42016032899). Eligibility criteria included empirical analyses of well-being outcomes acquired in relation to MBIs. Forty-one papers met the eligibility criteria, consisting of a total of 2101 participants. Studies were examined for two broad classes of well-being outcomes: (a) “negative” mental health measures such as anxiety, depression, and stress; (b) “positive” indices of well-being, such as life satisfaction, together with outcomes associated with well-being, such as emotional intelligence. MBIs were generally associated with positive outcomes in relation to most measures (albeit with moderate effect sizes), and mindfulness does appear to improve the well-being of healthcare professionals. However, the quality of the studies was inconsistent, so further research is needed, particularly high-quality randomised control trials.
... Nearly all boys presented a narrative of progress (as did the male meditators in Lomas, Cartwright, Edginton, and Ridge, 2014). Half the participants reported finding mindfulness hard at first; F was typical in experiencing it as "quite difficult to focus." ...
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Population aging is a global phenomenon, with the proportion of the population over the age of 60 increasingly rapidly. It is essential to gain an understanding of the factors that influence acceptance of technologies when they are introduced as part of the monitoring and management of clinical conditions. This study undertakes semi-structured interviews of elderly patients being monitored for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) or diabetes to determine the factors they deemed most important for acceptance of the technology. 18 women and 12 men with age range 65–90 and mean 77 years were interviewed. Nine main themes emerged; attitude to aging and illness, coping strategy, relationship and support, patient-doctor interaction, incorporating patients, self-efficacy, personality, personal meaning, and knowledge. The themes were grouped to three constructs; age/illness, patient, and healthcare practitioner, that were considered as the basis of a framework for a patient technology acceptance model (PTAM).
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Religion, Spirituality, and Masculinity provides concrete, practical suggestions for mental health professionals. Drawing from decades of clinical experience working with men and interdisciplinary insights from psychology, sociology, religion, and more, the authors explore some of the most salient aspects of men’s mental and spiritual health. Chapters focus on topics such as men’s relationships to religion and to masculinity, shame, and forgiveness, and concerns such as pornography use and drifting between religious affiliations. In addition to relevant theory and research, each chapter includes a case study and clear, science-informed strategies that can be incorporated into everyday practice in ways that improve men’s health and wellbeing.
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Introduction: Teenage boys are a source of considerable concern in society, with poorer health, educational and social outcomes than their female counterparts. Of particular concern are ‘at-risk’ adolescents, who by definition are liable to poorer outcomes. Methods: This study piloted a new mindfulness-based intervention, created specifically for at-risk adolescent boys. This involved four weekly sessions, featuring mindfulness activities designed to engender emotional management skills. Eight participants aged 13-14 were recruited from a school in London. In-depth semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with participants before and after the intervention, and analysed using grounded theory. Results: The data revealed an overarching theme of pressure, with participants facing three main intersecting forms of pressure, relating to school, growing up, and gender. The intervention was reported by participants as having had a positive effect, with mindfulness serving as a ‘pressure valve’ enabling participants to better deal with their negative emotions. Other positive outcomes included increased self-reported focus and attention, facilitating better performance in class. Discussion: Overall, mindfulness has promise as an intervention for helping at-risk adolescent boys deal with the considerable pressures they face in life, though further research will be needed to explore its effectiveness further.
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Lauren Berlant explores individual and collective affective responses to the unraveling of the U.S. and European economies by analzying mass media, literature, television, film, and video.
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Background: Mindfulness may be viewed as a supra-cognitive state of consciousness focussed on the decentred, objective and compassionate observation of transient mental and physical phenomena that may be attained through meditation practices. Mindfulness meditation is thought to be beneficial in the management of various physical and mental health conditions. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of mindfulness meditation practice as a healthcare intervention. Methods: Systematic computerised and hand literature searches for randomised controlled trials and evaluation using methodological quality criteria. Results: The higher quality studies analysed in this review have demonstrated replicated statistically significant improvements in spirituality and positive health measures and decreases in depressive relapse, depressive recurrence and psychological distress. Conclusions: Despite the lack of specific, reliable and validated mindfulness measures, mindfulness shows potential as a positive healthcare intervention and continued investigation is warranted. Further research using improved methodology and utilising specific mindfulness outcome measures in trials with long-term follow up, larger populations and a wider demographic range is recommended.
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Background: Women outlive men in all but the poorest and most unequal of countries, despite recent increases in male life expectancy that have exceeded those amongst women. This study identifies sources of disparity in longevity between sexes. Methods: Canadian data on age and cause of all deaths recorded in 1999 are grouped and analyzed to identify sex differences in mortality. Results: The overall ratio of male to female deaths (1.09 to 1) varies across ages, from a maximum of 2.6 male for every 1 female death between ages 15 and 29 years, to a minimum of 0.80 to 1 amongst those over 74 years old. The source of greatest disadvantage for men under age 45 years is behaviours attributable to gender. Accidents, injuries, and suicides account for the majority of the male mortality excess in this group, and for more male than female deaths amongst all but the most elderly. Before age 60 years, risk-taking behaviour claims more male lives than does circulatory disease. Conclusions: Data presented show the significance of gender as a determinant of longevity, and suggest the value of interventions to ameliorate this effect.