Mindfulness research in social work: conceptual and methodological recommendations

Author:
GARLAND Eric L.
Journal article citation:
Social Work Research, 37(4), 2013, pp.439-448.
Publisher:
Oxford University Press

Mindfulness refers to a set of practices as well as the psychological state and trait produced by such practices. The state, trait, and practice of mindfulness may be broadly characterised by a present-oriented, nonjudgmental awareness of cognitions, emotions, sensations, and perceptions without fixation on thoughts of past or future. Research on mindfulness has proliferated over the past decade. Given the explosion of scientific interest in this topic, mindfulness-based therapies are attracting the attention of clinical social workers, who seek to implement these interventions in numerous practice settings. Concomitantly, research on mindfulness is now falling within the scope and purview of social work scholars. In response to the growing interest in mindfulness within academic social work, the present article outlines six conceptual and methodological recommendations for the conduct of future empirical studies on mindfulness. These recommendations have practical importance for advancing mindfulness research within and beyond social work. (Publisher abstract)

Subject terms:
social work, research methods, research skills, evidence-based practice, mindfulness;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
United States
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
1545-6838
ISSN print:
1070-5309

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