Mindfulness Techniques as a Means of Developing Reflexivity in Patients with Victim Mentality

Abstract

The present research featured the effect of mindfulness-based techniques on the development of reflexivity in patients with victim mentality. Mindfulness techniques include such practices as breathing exercises, meditation, progressive relaxation, journaling, visualization, etc. They are believed to develop reflexivity, as well as various useful personal and social responsibilityskills. The study was based on O. O. Andronnikova’s methods for studying the victim behavior and the methods for determining reflexivity level by A. V. Karpov and V. V. Ponomarev. The survey (N=208) involved respondents aged 18–23 (145 women, 63 men). Tests revealed 52 subjects with victim mindset. They were divided into experimental (N=25) and control (N=27) groups. The participants attended group sessions of mindfulness-based practices once a week for six months. Based on the results of Mann-Whitney U-criterion and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, the therapy proved efficient in differentiating the inner world of the participants and improving their conscious functioning in society in the time continuum. The mindfulness techniques promoted the development of reflexivity in patients with victim mentality and decreased self-harming behavior (p=0.045) and aggression (p=0.033).

Keywords

• victim behavior
• mindfulness techniques
• reflection
• training
• reduction of victimization