No abstract

Although mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have garnered empirical support for a wide range of psychological conditions, the psychological processes that mediate the relationship between MBIs and subsequent symptomatic improvement are less well-understood. In the present study we sought to examine, for the first time, the relationship between mindfulness, negative interpretation bias as measured by the homophone task, and anxiety among adults with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Forty-two individuals with GAD completed measures of mindfulness, interpretation bias, and anxiety before and after treatment with Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Contrary to prior research, we did not find evidence of an indirect relationship between baseline levels of mindfulness and anxiety via negative interpretation bias. MBSR did result in significant reductions in negative interpretation bias from baseline to post-treatment; however, we did not find evidence of an indirect relationship between changes in mindfulness and changes in anxiety via changes in interpretation bias. Taken together, these results provide minimal support for the hypothesized relationship between mindfulness, negative interpretation bias, and anxiety among adults with GAD. Limitations and specific suggestions for further inquiry are discussed.

Providers of Traditional Timorese Medicine are an essential resource in rural communities, contributing greatly to the overall health of individuals in Timor-Leste. Their identity and role in healthcare has not been widely investigated and functions outside of the National Health System. The objective of this qualitative study is to describe the role of providers of Timorese Traditional Medicine in Timor-Leste and their practice of medicine. To perform this research, semi-structured interviews were performed with providers of Traditional Timorese Medicine in the rural district of Viqueque. Interviews took place at providers’ homes in Tetun and, after translation into English, interview content was analyzed and emergent common themes identified. The seven providers of Timorese Traditional Medicine interviewed mostly identified themselves as either a Liman Badain, Matan-Dook, or reported no title. Another identified himself by his political position as village chief, Xefe-Suku. Emergent themes from interview content included 1) Medical pluralism, reflecting that Timorese frequently use more than one medical system; 2) Spiritual sickness, reflecting illness and treatments commonly involving ancestral spirits or supernatural forces; and 3) Familial knowledge, reflecting healing practices and knowledge often kept within a family and passed down across generations. Generally, providers reported that the most common symptoms they treated in their practice were illnesses/misfortunes related to a woman’s gynecologic health and were obstetric in nature, especially concerns regarding reproductive health. This qualitative study provides information about the key role of select individual providers of Timorese Traditional Medicine and adds to the limited existing knowledge. Further qualitative and quantitative research must be done to further characterize the identities and role of different providers of Traditional Timorese Medicine.