Conceptualization of Mindfulness using Structural Equation Modelling: An Integration of Western and Eastern Ideas

A School of Education seminar presented on August 9th, 2017 by Associate Professor Huy Phan

Mindfulness is an important psychological concept that coincides with the perspective of positive psychology (M. Seligman & Csíkszentmihályi, 2000; M. E. P. Seligman, Forgeard, Jayawickreme, & Kern, 2011). Our own recent theorization postulates that mindfulness could, in fact, serve to optimize a person’s state of functioning (Phan & Ngu, In press-2017; Phan, Ngu, & Yeung, 2017). Empirical research development into the structure and characteristics of mindfulness has largely encompassed the Western perspectives. This acknowledgment places emphasis on other possible conceptualizations that are noteworthy for quantitative validation. Our association with Taiwanese scholars, Buddhist monks, and students has enabled us to consider a more holistic theoretical model of mindfulness, integrating both Western and Eastern perspectives and understanding. Based on of structural equation modelling (SEM) techniques (Kline, 2011), we jointly developed a conceptualization of mindfulness that consists of three major latent factors: psychological latent factorphilosophical latent factor, and spiritual latent factor.

For this seminar presentation, I want to share with you with my last trips to Taiwan and to discuss our newly developed theorization of mindfulness.


Presentation