Edo Shonin

According to ontological addiction theory, the root cause of mental suffering is a dysfunctional conceptualisation of the self. Typically, an individual with such a flawed self-concept deems themselves to be intrinsically separate from their surroundings, with their beliefs, choices and behaviours structured in order to reinforce their sense of an independently existing self. The Ontological Addiction Scale (OAS) was developed to measure ontological addiction and demonstrates good psychometric properties for the original version validated in English. The present study aimed to validate a French language version of the OAS. The 24-item OAS was administered to 492 French adults with emotional and/or mood disorders. The French OAS demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha: 0.89) and strong test–retest reliability. We suggest a single-factor structure, aligning with the original English version. The 12-item OAS also showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha: 0.81). Construct validity was confirmed by medium to large correlations with self-esteem, shame, perfectionism and mindfulness. These results support the use of the French OAS in research and clinical practice, offering a robust measure for assessing ontological addiction as well as a dimensional assessment of psychiatric symptoms.

Ontological Addiction Theory is a metaphysical theory of mental illness which conceptualises psychological suffering in terms of excessive ego-centeredness. This study aimed to develop and validate the Ontological Addiction Scale (OAS) and compare OAS scores with mental health measures. A 31-item prototype scale was developed based on traditional Buddhist theory and contemporary models of addiction. An ego-centeredness form of the Five-Factor Narcissism Inventory (FFNI) was the main criterion measure. For mental health measures, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) were used. The prototype OAS and two shorter versions showed excellent internal consistency and test–retest reliability. Construct validity was evidenced by medium to large correlations with criterion measures. OAS scores showed strong correlations with PHQ-9, GAD-7 and RSES, suggesting a clear relationship between OAS and mental health. The OAS appears to be a valid and reliable instrument suitable for assessing OA.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to conduct the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effectiveness of a second‐generation mindfulness‐based intervention ( SG ‐ MBI ) for treating fibromyalgia syndrome ( FMS ). Compared to first‐generation mindfulness‐based interventions, SG ‐ MBI s are more acknowledging of the spiritual aspect of mindfulness. Design: A RCT employing intent‐to‐treat analysis. Methods: Adults with FMS received an 8‐week SG ‐ MBI known as meditation awareness training ( MAT ; n  =   74) or an active control intervention known as cognitive behaviour theory for groups ( n  =   74). Assessments were performed at pre‐, post‐, and 6‐month follow‐up phases. Results: Meditation awareness training participants demonstrated significant and sustained improvements over control group participants in FMS symptomatology, pain perception, sleep quality, psychological distress, non‐attachment (to self, symptoms, and environment), and civic engagement. A mediation analysis found that (1) civic engagement partially mediated treatment effects for all outcome variables, (2) non‐attachment partially mediated treatment effects for psychological distress and sleep quality, and (3) non‐attachment almost fully mediated treatment effects for FMS symptomatology and pain perception. Average daily time spent in meditation was found to be a significant predictor of changes in all outcome variables. Conclusions: Meditation awareness training may be a suitable treatment for adults with FMS and appears to ameliorate FMS symptomatology and pain perception by reducing attachment to self. Statement of contribution: What is already known on this subject? Designing interventions to treat fibromyalgia syndrome ( FMS ) continues to be a challenge. There is growing interest into the applications of mindfulness‐based interventions for treating FMS . Second‐generation mindfulness‐based interventions ( SG ‐ MBI s) are a key new direction in mindfulness research. What does this study add? Meditation awareness training – an SG ‐ MBI – resulted in significant reductions in FMS symptomatology. SG ‐ MBI s recognize the spiritual aspect of mindfulness and may have a role in the treatment of FMS .

Background: Sex addiction is a disorder that can have serious adverse functional consequences. Treatment effectiveness research for sex addiction is currently underdeveloped, and interventions are generally based on the guidelines for treating other behavioral (as well as chemical) addictions. Consequently, there is a need to clinically evaluate tailored treatments that target the specific symptoms of sex addiction. It has been proposed that second-generation mindfulness-based interventions (SG-MBIs) may be an appropriate treatment for sex addiction because in addition to helping individuals increase perceptual distance from craving for desired objects and experiences, some SG-MBIs specifically contain meditations intended to undermine attachment to sex and/or the human body. The current study conducts the first clinical investigation into the utility of mindfulness for treating sex addiction. Case presentation: An in-depth clinical case study was conducted involving an adult male suffering from sex addiction that underwent treatment utilizing an SG-MBI known as Meditation Awareness Training (MAT). Following completion of MAT, the participant demonstrated clinically significant improvements in addictive sexual behavior, as well as reductions in depression and psychological distress. The MAT intervention also led to improvements in sleep quality, job satisfaction, and non-attachment to self and experiences. Salutary outcomes were maintained at 6-month follow-up. Discussion and conclusion: The current study extends the literature exploring the applications of mindfulness for treating behavioral addiction, and findings indicate that further clinical investigation into the role of mindfulness for treating sex addiction is warranted.

Consistent with its growing popularity amongst the general public and medical community, throughout recent decades there have been increasing attempts to understand the mechanisms that underlie therapeutic improvement in individuals receiving mindfulness training. The current paper draws upon findings from various remits of scientific enquiry and summarises key evidence-based mechanisms of mindfulness that have been proposed in the academic literature to date. Empirical findings indicate that mindfulness targets biological, psychological, social, and spiritual psychopathology determinants. Furthermore, the mechanistic pathways exploited by mindfulness are likely to vary according to factors such as (i) the type of mindfulness-based intervention that is administered (e.g., first- or second-generation mindfulness-based interventions), (ii) the specific clinical disorder that is being targeted, (iii) the educational, social, and spiritual history of the participant, and (iv) the extent to which the mindfulness instructor truly embodies the principles of mindful living. It is hoped that the mechanisms of mindfulness discussed in this paper will contribute to the formulation of a more complete picture that can be tested and expanded upon during future scientific enquiry.