Volume 7, Article 9
Positive embodiment and psychological wellbeing: exploring experiences of embodiment, mindful self-care and psychological wellbeing with a community sample of women
Martha Munroe, Zach Staffell, Paige Coyne, Jaclyn Ruta and Sarah J Woodruff
Citation: Munroe, M., Staffell, Z., Coyne, P., Ruta, J., & Woodruff, S. J. (2023). Positive Embodiment and Psychological Wellbeing: exploring experiences of embodiment, mindful self-care and psychological wellbeing with a community sample of women. European Journal of Applied Positive Psychology, 7, 9, 1-12.
https://www.nationalwellbeingservice.org/volumes/volume-7-2023/volume-7-article-9/
Processing dates: Submitted 14 February 2023; Accepted 19 May 2023; Published 21 November 2023
Abstract
Background/Aims: Positive embodiment describes a positive experience of inhabiting one’s body that previous research has begun exploring with relationship to wellbeing. The positive psychology perspective aims to promote flourishing, beyond the prevention of dysfunction. This study is the first to explore relationships among embodiment, mindful self-care, and psychological wellbeing and to explore which subscales and person-variables (age, income) best predict psychological wellbeing in order to increase our understanding of women’s embodied lives.
Methods: A community sample of women (n = 278; mean age 34.9 ± 11.8 years, age range: 18 to 85 years; 81% Caucasian) completed the Experiences of Embodiment Scale (EES), the Mindful Self-Care Scale (MSCS) and a scale of psychological wellbeing (PWB). Correlation between the EES and MSCS was explored. Relationships between each EES and MSCS and PWB was measured. Multiple linear regression models explored whether age, income, or specific subscales predicted PWB.
Results: Total EES and MSCS scores were moderately positively correlated. Total EES scores were strongly positively correlated with PWB (r(276) = .765, p < .001). Total MSCS scores were moderately positively correlated with PWB (r(276) = .609, p < .001). EES subscales that predicted PWB were Positive Body Connection and Comfort, Agency and Functionality, and Attuned Self-Care; income also was a significant predictor. MSCS subscales that predicted PWB were Supportive Relationships, Self-Compassion and Purpose, Mindful Relaxation, and Supportive Structure; age and income were also significant predictors.
Discussion/Conclusions: Results highlight the importance of embodiment for wellbeing and provide insight for creating interventions and future research.
Keywords: embodiment, positive embodiment, psychological wellbeing, self-care, positive psychology, wellbeing
Biographies
Martha Munroe, at the time of study conceptualization, was with the University of East London, University Way, London E16 2RD, UK. Present: University of Saskatchewan, Department
of Computer Science, 105 Administration Place Saskatoon SK, Canada, S7N 5A2. Email: marthamunroe@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9050-2028
Zach Staffell is with the University of Windsor, Department of Kinesiology, 401 Sunset Ave, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, N9B 3P4
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1822-8834
Paige Coyne, at the time of study conceptualization, was with the University of Windsor, Department of Kinesiology, 401 Sunset Ave, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, N9B 3P4.
Present: Public Health Sciences, Henry Ford Health, 1 Ford Place, Detroit, Michigan USA, 48202. Email: pcoyne1@hfhs.org
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9062-9587
Jaclyn Ruta is with the University of Windsor, Department of Kinesiology, 401 Sunset Ave, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, N9B 3P4
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9939-9194
Sarah J. Woodruff is with the University of Windsor, Department of Kinesiology, 401 Sunset Ave, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, N9B 3P4
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8199-2982