Effects of Mindfulness Meditation and Distraction on Mood and Attention in Veterans with PTSD

Authors

  • Megumi Omonishi Georgia State University
  • Alan Stewart Georgia State University http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1782-3391
  • Kenneth B. Matheny Georgia State University
  • Jeffrey S. Ashby Georgia State University

Keywords:

Mindfulness, Meditation, Distraction, Mood, Attention, Veterans, Post-traumatic stress disorder, Anxiety

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a brief (20-minute) mindfulness meditation treatment on mood and attention in a sample (N = 63) of veterans with PTSD when compared with a period of distraction and a control condition. Pre- and posttests of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule were used to assess changes in anxiety and mood, while the Stroop task was employed as a measure of selective attention. To control for the effects of comorbid physiological and psychological conditions, sub-analyses were conducted for participants with and without depression, sleep disturbance, chronic pain, and traumatic brain injury. Analysis of results indicated that meditators who were not reporting sleep problems demonstrated higher levels of selective attention. A decrease in negative mood was found in all participants regardless of their group assignment. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Author Biography

Alan Stewart, Georgia State University

Doctoral Student, Counseling Psychology

Department of Counseling and Psychological Services

Georgia State University

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Published

2016-06-22