Authenticity and mindfulness: The processes involved in regulating depressive symptoms in day-today living

Date of Publication

2014

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Psychology Major in Clinical Psychology

College

College of Liberal Arts

Department/Unit

Psychology

Thesis Adviser

Melissa L. Reyes

Defense Panel Chair

Ma. Caridad Tarroja

Defense Panel Member

Ron Resurreccion
Hector Perez

Abstract/Summary

Depression is characterized by the near-absence of positive affect and the person's tendency to view the self in a negative light. Authenticity, a form of personality integrity in which one freely expresses all aspects of the self, and mindfulness, a receptive form of consciousness that may be practiced momentto- moment predicted less depressive symptoms through self-acceptance and negative mood regulation expectancies. Studies have claimed that authenticity and mindfulness both predicted lesser depressive symptoms by going through self-acceptance and negative mood regulation expectancies, but have not tested all of these variables in a path-analytic model. A questionnaire packet containing the following self-rated scales: the Inauthenticity Scale, Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory, Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale, Self-acceptance Scale, Negative Mood Regulation Expectancies Scale, and the Dispositional Positive Emotions Scale measured these variables. The questionnaire packet was distributed to 274 participants aged 18-25. Results from the study show that authentic and mindful persons experienced less depressive symptoms because they accepted and saw themselves in a positive light. They too were confident in knowing that when they find themselves in an unpleasant mood, that the mood was a part of the many psychic processes that they experienced from moment-to-moment, and that eventually this would pass. These latter statements are findings mirror those reported and suggested in the literature (Jimenez, Niles, & Park, 2010 Gross & John, 2003), but differ in that positive emotions emerged as an outcome when a person is both mindful and authentic. These findings imply that living day-by-day is a continuous process of self-knowledge directed towards growth, maturity, and autonomy.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Accession Number

CDTG005699

Shelf Location

Archives, The Learning Commons, 12F Henry Sy Sr. Hall

Physical Description

1 computer optical disc ; 4 3/4 in.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS