Mindfulness and mental health

Abstract or Summary

Self-Determination Theory is a motivation theory based on the premise that people actively seek opportunities to develop to their fullest potential, and crucially, this motivation is regulated by the self. A longstanding principle of SDT is that this form of autonomous behavioural motivation and regulation lies in ‘awareness’ (Deci & Ryan, 1980). Recently, SDT research has incorporated mindfulness into its framework as an inner reserve that supports autonomous functioning and psychological need satisfaction, and thus facilitates wellness. Mindfulness has been posited to help people become attentive of the present and attuned to their internal states thus promoting healthier outcomes. As such mindfulness has had substantial attention regarding its relationship with wellbeing, stress reduction, higher levels of positive emotions, mood regulation expectancies and self-acceptance, which in turn results in better choices and ultimately, in less stress and conflict.