Fostering Human Resilience

Biography

Biography: Dr. Shian-Ling Keng

Abstract

Mindfulness can be defined as the process through which one pays attention to experiences in the present moment in an intentional, open, and nonjudgmental manner. In recent years, there has been a significant increase of interest in researching and understanding the application and psychological effects of mindfulness meditation and mindfulness-based interventions. These interventions, which include standardized programs such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), have been proposed to be representative of a “third-wave” of psychological interventions. Much research has examined and demonstrated the benefits of these interventions on various domains of human functioning, ranging from enhanced cognitive abilities, improved attentional functioning, reduced psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety, improved well-being, and greater psychological resilience. Research has also demonstrated various psychological and neurobiological mechanisms through which mindfulness may lead to improved psychological functioning. This talk will integrate state-of-the-art findings from studies from various disciplines, including clinical psychology, psychiatry, educational psychology, and organizational psychology, that highlight various ways through which mindfulness promotes human resilience. The talk will also include an experiential exercise, during which the audience will be invited to engage in a brief, guided mindfulness practice to gain an experiential understanding of mindfulness