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The Relation Between Psychological Flexibility and the Buddhist Practices of Meditation, Nonattachment, and Self-Compassion

Wendling, Heather M.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1332773514

Abstract Details

2012, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, Counselor Education and Supervision.
The purpose of this study was to add to the empirical literature in the growing area of psychological flexibility. Specifically, this study investigated the Buddhist practices of nonattachment, self-compassion, and meditation as they related to the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) construct of psychological flexibility among Buddhists. In addition, it was examined whether differences existed in levels of psychological flexibility among Buddhists and other religious and spiritually oriented individuals. Buddhist participants (N = 299) completed the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire – II (AAQ-II), Nonattachment Scale (NAS), Self-Compassion Scale – Short Form (SCS-SF), and a demographic questionnaire. Non-Buddhist participants (N=303) completed the AAQ-II and demographic questionnaire. Although findings indicated significant differences in degrees of psychological flexibility between Buddhists and non-Buddhists, the actual difference in mean scores was very small. Number of years of regular meditation practice, nonattachment, and self-compassion contributed to a significant degree of variance in degree of psychological flexibility among Buddhists, while the overall model was significant, accounting for (R2) 42.2% of the variance in psychological flexibility. Implications of results for clinical practice and counselor education, along with recommendations for future research are discussed.
Cynthia A. Reynolds, Dr. (Advisor)
Ingrid Weigold, Dr. (Committee Member)
Sandra Perosa, Dr. (Committee Member)
Robert Schwartz, Dr. (Committee Member)
Sean Cai, Dr. (Committee Member)
178 p.
Counseling Education; Mental Health; Psychology; Psychotherapy; Religion; Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Buddhism; psychological flexibility; nonattachment; self-compassion

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Wendling, H. M. (2012). The Relation Between Psychological Flexibility and the Buddhist Practices of Meditation, Nonattachment, and Self-Compassion [Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1332773514

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Wendling, Heather. The Relation Between Psychological Flexibility and the Buddhist Practices of Meditation, Nonattachment, and Self-Compassion. 2012. University of Akron, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1332773514.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Wendling, Heather. "The Relation Between Psychological Flexibility and the Buddhist Practices of Meditation, Nonattachment, and Self-Compassion." Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1332773514

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

akron1332773514
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© 2012, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.