Mindful Health & Resilience Lab Presents at International Society for Contemplative Research

Members of the Mindful Health & Resilience Lab presented at the inaugural International Society for Contemplative Research Conference held in San Diego in early February. The mission of the International Society for Contemplative Research is to support the independent and collaborative work of scholars, scientists, clinicians, and practitioners who are engaged in the rigorous investigation of traditional and modern forms of contemplative and other mind-body practices. 

The School of Graduate Psychology's Mindful Health & Resilience Lab has a long-standing interest in the study and practice of mindfulness meditation and related contemplative experiences. Lab Director, Michael Christopher was among those in attendance at the conference.

Akeesha Simmons MS'22 presented a talk entitled Perceived Racial Discriminationn and the Protective Role of Mindfulness Facets among BIPOC Adults. Simmons' results suggest that the mindfulness facet of nonjudgment of internal experiences buffered the negative impact of racial discrimination on  depression and anxiety among BIPOC adults.

Marissa Ferry MS '23 presented a talk entitled Mindfulness and Protective Factors Buffer the Impact of Discrimination in Diverse Samples of Family Dyads. Similar to Simmons' study, Ferry found that resilience buffered the negative impact of racial discrimination on family functioning among BIPOC parents.