Abstract
This chapter discusses the approach of mindfulness-based relationship enhancement (MBRE) in couples. Enduring human partnerships inevitably entail adjustment to a course of stressful events and situations, both minor and major. Mindfulness meditation group interventions are efficacious in helping individuals to cope more effectively with stress in a variety of nonclinical and clinical populations. The theoretical basis for applying mindfulness to boost partners' stress coping skills and enhance their relationships is based on at least four salient processes: (1) The act of being mindful-that is, incorporating all experiences, whether enjoyable or difficult, into nonjudgmental presence of mind; (2) The acceptance of one's experience as they are, thereby increasing the compassion and empathy toward others; (3) promoting the relaxation response that results in changes that are the mirror opposite of stress-induced hyperarousal, and subjectively is often experienced as feelings of calm, clarity, and well-being; and (4) self-broadening, leading to attitudinal transformations that are expressed in terms of a greater sense of trust, love for others, and connectedness with a greater "whole." This shows that relationship satisfaction between couple increases through mutual engagement in exciting, self-expanding activities including those leading to the discovery of linkages, wisdom, and their position in the universe.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Mindfulness-Based Treatment Approaches |
| Publisher | Elsevier Inc. |
| Pages | 309-331 |
| Number of pages | 23 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780120885190 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2006 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Dentistry(all)
- Medicine(all)
Cite this
Mindfulness-Based Relationship Enhancement (MBRE) in Couples. / Carson, James; Carson, Kimberly M.; Gil, Karen M.; Baucom, Donald H.
Mindfulness-Based Treatment Approaches. Elsevier Inc., 2006. p. 309-331.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
}
TY - CHAP
T1 - Mindfulness-Based Relationship Enhancement (MBRE) in Couples
AU - Carson, James
AU - Carson, Kimberly M.
AU - Gil, Karen M.
AU - Baucom, Donald H.
PY - 2006
Y1 - 2006
N2 - This chapter discusses the approach of mindfulness-based relationship enhancement (MBRE) in couples. Enduring human partnerships inevitably entail adjustment to a course of stressful events and situations, both minor and major. Mindfulness meditation group interventions are efficacious in helping individuals to cope more effectively with stress in a variety of nonclinical and clinical populations. The theoretical basis for applying mindfulness to boost partners' stress coping skills and enhance their relationships is based on at least four salient processes: (1) The act of being mindful-that is, incorporating all experiences, whether enjoyable or difficult, into nonjudgmental presence of mind; (2) The acceptance of one's experience as they are, thereby increasing the compassion and empathy toward others; (3) promoting the relaxation response that results in changes that are the mirror opposite of stress-induced hyperarousal, and subjectively is often experienced as feelings of calm, clarity, and well-being; and (4) self-broadening, leading to attitudinal transformations that are expressed in terms of a greater sense of trust, love for others, and connectedness with a greater "whole." This shows that relationship satisfaction between couple increases through mutual engagement in exciting, self-expanding activities including those leading to the discovery of linkages, wisdom, and their position in the universe.
AB - This chapter discusses the approach of mindfulness-based relationship enhancement (MBRE) in couples. Enduring human partnerships inevitably entail adjustment to a course of stressful events and situations, both minor and major. Mindfulness meditation group interventions are efficacious in helping individuals to cope more effectively with stress in a variety of nonclinical and clinical populations. The theoretical basis for applying mindfulness to boost partners' stress coping skills and enhance their relationships is based on at least four salient processes: (1) The act of being mindful-that is, incorporating all experiences, whether enjoyable or difficult, into nonjudgmental presence of mind; (2) The acceptance of one's experience as they are, thereby increasing the compassion and empathy toward others; (3) promoting the relaxation response that results in changes that are the mirror opposite of stress-induced hyperarousal, and subjectively is often experienced as feelings of calm, clarity, and well-being; and (4) self-broadening, leading to attitudinal transformations that are expressed in terms of a greater sense of trust, love for others, and connectedness with a greater "whole." This shows that relationship satisfaction between couple increases through mutual engagement in exciting, self-expanding activities including those leading to the discovery of linkages, wisdom, and their position in the universe.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=35348825376&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/B978-012088519-0/50015-0
DO - 10.1016/B978-012088519-0/50015-0
M3 - Chapter
AN - SCOPUS:35348825376
SN - 9780120885190
SP - 309
EP - 331
BT - Mindfulness-Based Treatment Approaches
PB - Elsevier Inc.
ER -