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Shadi Beshai

Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada.

4 papers in the library · 33 citations · publishing 2023-2025

Papers

Perspectives of Indigenous University Students in Canada on Mindfulness-Based Interventions and their Adaptation to Reduce Depression and Anxiety Symptoms

Mindfulness February 21, 2023 Shadi Beshai, Sharon M. Desjarlais, Brenda Green 21 citations

Indigenous university students face high rates of anxiety and depression due to colonialism, racism, and discrimination. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) may help but need cultural adaptation. In a three-part qualitative study with 14 Indigenous students (average age 28.92), participants emphasized that an adapted MBI should include traditional Indigenous practices, Indigenous facilitators, holistic mental health concepts that incorporate spirituality, and flexible, accessible methods. Based on their feedback, the researchers developed an outline for the Miyowâyâwin Mindful Wellbeing Program, which students rated favorably for cultural consistency and safety. The findings confirm that mindfulness programs are perceived as acceptable and consistent with Indigenous cultures when adapted appropriately.

Mindfulness and CBT: a conceptual integration bridging ancient wisdom and modern cognitive theories of psychopathology.

Frontiers in psychology January 1, 2024 Shadi Beshai 7 citations

Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) share substantial conceptual overlap despite apparent differences. This article defines both approaches and uses depression as an example to highlight their common threads, particularly through the Buddhist Psychological Model and the foundational cognitive model. The author argues that mindfulness has been effectively integrated into CBT as part of the "third wave" of interventions, helping clinicians and scientists recognize the concordance between ancient philosophical wisdom and modern therapeutic practice. The aim is to demonstrate the breadth of CBT and explain why mindfulness continues to be incorporated to address mental health concerns and promote wellbeing.

Dispositional mindfulness profiles and psychological symptoms: a latent profile analysis.

Frontiers in psychology January 1, 2025 Fereshteh Mehrabi, Shadi Beshai 3 citations

Three distinct profiles of dispositional mindfulness were identified in a sample of 604 adults recruited online. The profiles—Judgmentally Describing, Low Mindfulness, and Non-Judgmentally Describing—differed in their associations with anxiety and depressive symptoms. Women were more likely than men to belong to the Low Mindfulness profile. People in the Low Mindfulness group reported the highest levels of anxiety and depression, while those in the Non-Judgmentally Describing group reported the lowest. These findings suggest that considering mindfulness profiles could help tailor mindfulness-based interventions to individual needs.

Beyond the Unitary: Direct, Moderated, and Mediated Associations of Mindfulness Facets with Mental Health Literacy and Treatment-Seeking Attitudes.

Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) May 20, 2025 Matea Gerbeza, Kelsy Dąbek, Katelyn Lockinger et al. 2 citations

Dispositional mindfulness facets relate differently to mental health literacy and treatment-seeking attitudes. Describe and Non-Reactivity predicted mental health literacy, while Act with Awareness uniquely predicted treatment-seeking attitudes. Non-Reactivity amplified the link between mental health literacy and treatment-seeking attitudes. General self-efficacy fully mediated the relationships of Observe and Non-Judgment with treatment-seeking attitudes. The findings suggest that cultivating specific mindfulness skills—particularly Non-Reactivity, Describe, and Act with Awareness—may help translate mental health knowledge into actual help-seeking behavior.