Är det ett varande eller ett görande förhållningssätt som har betydelse för att må och fungera bättre?
Abstract
Integrated mental training is a method that entails a systematic and long-term
training of mental processes (thoughts, images, emotions) that aims to enhance
performance as well as gratify feelings and improve thought processes. This
training develops an alternative system of control by using substitute state of
consciousness and self-hypnosis. The method is concerned with both mindfulness
and performance approaches, which is crucial in order to feel and function
better. The intent of this study is to highlight the experience of the
different steps of integrated mental training to gain an understanding of how,
where, and when changes occur. To achieve the objective of this study, a
qualitative empirical method was used. As far as analysis is concerned,
phenomenology analytic approach was adopted. The study participants were six
long-term sick listed women. During the eight meetings they were introduced to
the process and in between the meetings they performed the training using
self-instructor CD. Their experience of the training was recorded through the
diary entries upon which the study?s analysis was based. The finding shows that
it takes different time-spans to reach the different stages and that large
positive experience of change occur during the first steps. This suggests that
a mindfulness approach is instrumental in feelings enhancement. Further, the
first part of the mental conceptions gives strengthened self-esteem and
increased faith in oneself. There is no illuminating finding with regard to
self-creation of mental representations, which may be due to the short training
time for this group.