Analise O’Donovan

The association between state attachment security and state Mindfulness.

Recent research suggests that attachment and mindfulness are related, though the nature of this association is unclear. Here we present two studies examining whether there is a causal relationship between state attachment and state mindfulness. Study 1 investigated the effects of experimentally increasing state mindfulness on state attachment security. State mindfulness was successfully enhanced, but this led to no change in state attachment security. Study 2 investigated the effects of experimentally enhancing state attachment security on state mindfulness. State attachment security was successfully enhanced, but this did not lead to any change in state mindfulness. These findings suggest that there is not a direct, immediate causal relationship between state attachment and state mindfulness as a result of brief experimental manipulations. Future research should examine these associations in longer term interventions.

Associations between executive functions and mental health outcomes for adults with autism spectrum disorder

Associations between executive functions (EF) and mental-health in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were examined. Forty-two adults with ASD completed measures of EF, mood and self-concept. Better concept formation and social inference skills were significantly associated with fewer anxiety symptoms. Conversely, participants with better non-verbal reasoning, cognitive flexibility and social cognition reported more negative self-concept and lower self-esteem. Overall, individuals with impaired EF are more prone to anxiety, whereas those with stronger EF are more likely to experience negative self-concept. Screening for and monitoring mental-health concerns in people with ASD regardless of their level of EF is recommended.

Mindfulness for Cultivating Self-Esteem

Self-esteem is said to be a fundamental and pervasive human need. Humans are motivated to maintain high self-esteem and engage in efforts to protect their self-esteem when it comes under threat. High self-esteem is a positive personal resource and is generally related to a wide range of positive life outcomes. It is therefore important to consider factors that may enhance self-esteem. Here, we argue that mindfulness may be useful to cultivate self-esteem and, in particular, secure self-esteem as opposed to fragile high self-esteem. We begin with an overview of the benefits of healthy self-esteem and costs of low self-esteem. We then argue that individuals high in dispositional mindfulness may have greater capacity for secure high self-esteem. Evidence from clinical and experimental studies examining associations between mindfulness and self-esteem is reviewed next. We conclude with a discussion of the use of mindfulness-based interventions for the cultivation of healthy self-esteem and an outline of directions for future research.

High-functioning autism spectrum disorder in adulthood: A systematic review of factors related to psychosocial outcomes

ABSTRACT Background This systematic review aimed to identify the factors related to psychosocial outcomes for adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (HFASD). A further aim was to appraise the research methodology and provide recommendations for future research. Method Systematic review methodology was used to comprehensively search for peer-reviewed articles, assess methodological rigor, and summarise the results. Twenty-seven studies published between 1989 and December 2015 met inclusion criteria and included 1,398 individuals (M age = 28.54 years) with HFASD (IQ ≥ 70). Results Factors most consistently found to be related to poor psychological, social, and adaptive outcomes included greater symptom severity, lower childhood IQ, impaired nonverbal learning, cognitive shifting deficits, negative thinking styles, and perceptions of low social support. Conclusions Overall, key risk factors for poor psychosocial outcomes of adults with HFASD were identified. However, further prospective longitudinal research with large samples is needed to examine the complex and potentially bidirectional relationships among these factors.