Joey Weber

Despite the plethora of mindfulness research, it has been suggested that equanimity has been largely ignored. Current research has sought to add greater precision to this construct. The objectives of this systematic literature review were (1) to identify whether equanimity is being recognized as a key facet in mindfulness-based interventions and (2) to evaluate the effectiveness of equanimity as a construct in psychiatric health. The data sources were ProQuest Central and SCOPUS. A systematic literature review was conducted of peer-reviewed research articles published between 2010 and 2018. Nine studies identified equanimity as a key facet in mindfulness interventions in relation to mental health interventions. The review found that there is limited standardized inclusion of equanimity and poor reliability and generalizability surrounding this construct. Furthermore, there are no explicit instruments for measuring equanimity. More research is needed in mental health intervention to develop clarity over the impact of equanimity on well-being and psychiatric health. Further, psychometric measures for the construct are limited. The wide variety of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) raises the question of how explicitly equanimity is communicated. There is also a general lack of understanding and clarity regarding its operational definition. Often, equanimity can be synonymous with the terms nonjudgment or decentering. This systematic literature review aimed to address these gaps in the literature.

This is the fourth article in a series of articles that explores the meaning of positive psychology and the importance of applying the latest related research findings for the wellbeing of the mental health workforce. It will focus on mindfulness as a positive psychology intervention from its development to present day use and how it is relevant to mental health nursing. Finally, it will emphasise the importance of effective leadership in how the application of mindfulness can benefit the individual, the organisation and the client. The practical tasks provided in the boxes throughout the article will help the reader identify what mindfulness means for them and understand how to further develop its transferability through evidence-based, user-friendly exercises.

Whilst mindfulness as a practice is now well researched, little is known about the associated concept of equanimity or the barriers people face in achieving it. Three studies were conducted to develop and validate a self-report measure assessing barriers to equanimity. Across studies, opportunity samples comprised students and staff members from one British university, and via online social media platforms. In study 1 (n=453) principal component analysis revealed five internally consistent factors measuring the ways in which barriers to equanimity are conceptualised. Study 2, (n=108) sought to confirm these factors. Results revealed that a fourfactor model best fit the data. Validity statistics were sufficient to support this model. Study 3 (n=302) tested convergent and discriminant validity of the four-factor Equanimity Barriers Scale (EBS). It was tested utilising the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (Brown & Ryan, 2003), Big Five Inventory-10 (Rammstedt & John, 2007), Self Compassion Scale Short Form (Raes, Pommier, Neff & Van Gucht 2011), Difficulty in Emotional Regulation Scale Short Form (Kaufman, Xia, Fosco, Yaptangco, Skidmore & Crowell 2015) and the Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (Gross & John, 2003). The usefulness of the EBS for future research into individual differences in adherence to mindfulness-based interventions are discussed.

In order to appreciate mindfulness, it is necessary to focus on the concepts of non-judgement and acceptance as these attributes underpins the practice. Non-judgement is a label celebrated within a variety of helping professions and as a value at the core of much practice. In the context of mindfulness based interventions, accepting thoughts non-judgementally is an essential skill. However, the author argues against the ability of individuals to be non-judgemental given the profundity of its meaning and without other skills in place (without the practice of equanimity). The author puts forward a conceptual model of judgement and ‘naturally occurring ignorance’ in order to explore the potential barriers to practice. The author hypothesises that equanimity is the key mediating factor in being non-judgmental and therefore having the ability to generate compassion. A conceptual ‘cycle of judgement’ was created and discussed. Further, a theoretical model of ‘naturally occurring ignorance’ was created in order to confirm the barriers to equanimity, with the motivation of cultivating compassion.

Mindfulness is an adaptable state of consciousness that has been shown to be effective in the reduction of maladaptive cognitive schemas as well as in raising feelings of self-worth and self-esteem. Cultivating a mindfulness habit is seen to be fortuitous; however the research in this paper looked at the efficacy of a short intervention on improving the cognitive domains of self-esteem, mindful attention awareness, and general anxiety disorder. The study was conducted within a university setting with both students and support staff. An introduction to mindfulness was facilitated over a 90-minute session. Measures were completed by all participants pre- and post-intervention. The results show that there was a significant effect of a mindfulness session on the self-reporting of self-esteem, mindful attention awareness and general anxiety disorder.