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Josefsson, Torbjörn
Publications (10 of 13) Show all publications
Josefsson, T., Gustafsson, H., Iversen Rostad, T., Gardner, F. L. & Ivarsson, A. (2021). Mindfulness and shooting performance in biathlon. A prospective study. European Journal of Sport Science, 21(8), 1176-1182
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Mindfulness and shooting performance in biathlon. A prospective study
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2021 (English)In: European Journal of Sport Science, ISSN 1746-1391, E-ISSN 1536-7290, Vol. 21, no 8, p. 1176-1182Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The aim of the study was to examine the temporal relationship between facets of sport-specific dispositional mindfulness (i e., Awareness, Refocusing, Nonjudgemental attitude) and shooting performance in actual competitions, in a population of 25 elite biathlon athletes. Findings indicated that mindfulness facets were positively associated with shooting performance, with higher levels of Awareness, Refocusing, and Awareness being related to better shooting performance in competitions. In spite of the fact that the explained variance was quite small, even a minor shooting performance enhancement may increase an athlete’s chance of winning a biathlon competition. © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Abingdon: Taylor & Francis, 2021
Keywords
competition, Performance, psychology, quantitative study
National Category
Psychology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-43451 (URN)10.1080/17461391.2020.1821787 (DOI)000579381400001 ()32907493 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-85092406623 (Scopus ID)
Funder
Swedish National Centre for Research in Sports, D2016-0037/P2016-0146
Available from: 2020-11-17 Created: 2020-11-17 Last updated: 2022-07-05Bibliographically approved
Back, J., Josefsson, T., Ivarsson, A. & Gustafsson, H. (2021). Psychological risk factors for exercise dependence. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 19(4), 461-472
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Psychological risk factors for exercise dependence
2021 (English)In: International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, ISSN 1612-197X, E-ISSN 1557-251X, Vol. 19, no 4, p. 461-472Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The main aim of this study was to investigate if exercisers’ personality characteristics were associated with exercise dependence. Specifically, the purpose was to examine if anxiety, obsessive passion, and physical appearance orientation were associated to an increased risk for exercise dependence. Participants were 330 exercisers from exercise groups, sport clubs and university sport science classes in the southwest of Sweden. Data were analysed using CHAID (Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detection) analysis. The CHAID analysis indicated that anxiety was the main predictor of exercise dependence. More specifically, 12.7% more exercisers who experienced high levels of anxiety symptoms (i.e. scores above 6), were, in comparison to the exercises experiencing low levels of anxiety, classified as “at risk for exercise dependence”. For exercisers that reported low levels of anxiety symptoms (i.e. scores below 7), obsessive passion for exercise was a positive statistically significant predictor (absolute risk difference = 8.6%). Overall, the results highlight anxiety as a main risk factor behind exercise dependence. Also, the risk of exercise dependence may increase either from obsessive passion or as a coping strategy for anxiety. Furthermore, results may illustrate two types of exercise dependence; “primary” exercise dependence driven mainly by an obsessive passion for exercise and “secondary” exercise dependence where exercise function as a strategy to cope with anxiety. © 2019 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
New York: Taylor & Francis, 2021
Keywords
exercise dependence, anxiety, obsessive passion, appearance orientation
National Category
Sport and Fitness Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-43199 (URN)10.1080/1612197X.2019.1674902 (DOI)000490899100001 ()2-s2.0-85074342436 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2020-09-30 Created: 2020-09-30 Last updated: 2023-01-09Bibliographically approved
Josefsson, T., Tornberg, R., Gustafsson, H. & Ivarsson, A. (2020). Practitioners’ reflections of working with the Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment (MAC) approach in team sport settings. Journal of Sport Psychology in Action, 11(2), 92-102
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Practitioners’ reflections of working with the Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment (MAC) approach in team sport settings
2020 (English)In: Journal of Sport Psychology in Action, ISSN 2152-0704, E-ISSN 2152-0712, Vol. 11, no 2, p. 92-102Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The aim of this article was to describe the implementation of a team-based MAC intervention, and discuss important aspects to consider when implementing the MAC protocol in elite team sports. The MAC program contains seven modules in which core concepts such as mindfulness, acceptance, and values-driven behavior are being taught and practiced. We experienced conceptual as well as practical challenges in the application of the MAC protocol. A general recommendation in implementing MAC concepts and exercises for teams is to make the content of the program sport-specific.  © 2019, Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. © 2019, © Torbjörn Josefsson, Rasmus Tornberg, Henrik Gustafsson, and Andreas Ivarsson.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Philadelphia, PA: Routledge, 2020
Keywords
Acceptance, commitment, intervention, MAC, mindfulness
National Category
Sport and Fitness Sciences Applied Psychology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-38808 (URN)10.1080/21520704.2018.1549641 (DOI)000549976500002 ()2-s2.0-85060629790 (Scopus ID)
Funder
Swedish National Centre for Research in Sports, D2016-0037/P2016-0146
Available from: 2019-01-30 Created: 2019-01-30 Last updated: 2020-09-25Bibliographically approved
Josefsson, T., Ivarsson, A., Gustafsson, H., Stenling, A., Lindwall, M., Tornberg, R. & Böröy, J. (2019). Effects of Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment (MAC) on Sport-Specific Dispositional Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation, and Self-Rated Athletic Performance in a Multiple-Sport Population: an RCT Study. Mindfulness, 10(8), 1518-1529
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Effects of Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment (MAC) on Sport-Specific Dispositional Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation, and Self-Rated Athletic Performance in a Multiple-Sport Population: an RCT Study
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2019 (English)In: Mindfulness, ISSN 1868-8527, E-ISSN 1868-8535, Vol. 10, no 8, p. 1518-1529Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Objectives

The aim of the study was to examine mediating effects of emotion regulation and sport-specific dispositional mindfulness on self-rated athletic training performance, following the Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment (MAC) intervention, compared to a Psychological Skills Training (PST) control group.

Methods

Sixty-nine competitive elite athletes who did not have any prior experience with mindfulness- and acceptance-based exercises, were recruited and randomly assigned into either a MAC group or a traditional PST group. Latent growth curve analyses were performed to examine longitudinal relationships among the study variables. Mediation analyses were conducted to test if the growth trajectory of each of the proposed mediators mediated the relationship between the intervention and perceived performance (measured at T3).

Results

Findings showed that the MAC intervention had an indirect effect on self-rated athletic training performance through changes in dispositional mindfulness and emotion regulation respectively. Further, the MAC-group obtained greater post-test improvements in athletic mindfulness, emotion regulation abilities, and perceived performance compared to the PST group.

Conclusions

Overall, findings suggest that dispositional athletic mindfulness and emotion regulation may function as important mechanisms in MAC, and that the MAC approach is a more effective intervention compared to the PST condition in reducing emotion regulation difficulties, as well as enhancing sport-relevant mindfulness skills and perceived athletic training performance in elite sport.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
New York, NY: Springer, 2019
Keywords
Emotion regulation, MAC, Mediation analysis, Mindfulness, Mindfulness-acceptance-commitment, Performance, PST
National Category
Sport and Fitness Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-39189 (URN)10.1007/s12671-019-01098-7 (DOI)000473450900006 ()2-s2.0-85071731223 (Scopus ID)
Funder
Swedish National Centre for Research in Sports, D2016-0037
Note

Funding: the Swedish Research Council for Sport Science (D2016-0037/P2016-0146) and from the Center of Research on Welfare, Health, and Sport, Halmstad University, Sweden

Available from: 2019-04-02 Created: 2019-04-02 Last updated: 2024-01-23Bibliographically approved
Josefsson, T., Ivarsson, A., Lindwall, M., Gustafsson, H., Böröy, J., Mattsson, E., . . . Falkevik, E. (2017). Mindfulness Mechanisms in Sports: Mediating Effects of Rumination and Emotion Regulation on Sport-Specific Coping. Mindfulness, 8(5), 1354-1363
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Mindfulness Mechanisms in Sports: Mediating Effects of Rumination and Emotion Regulation on Sport-Specific Coping
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2017 (English)In: Mindfulness, ISSN 1868-8527, E-ISSN 1868-8535, Vol. 8, no 5, p. 1354-1363Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The main objective of the project was to examine a proposed theoretical model of mindfulness mechanisms in sports. We conducted two studies (the first study using a cross-sectional design and the second a longitudinal design) to investigate if rumination and emotion regulation mediate the relation between dispositional mindfulness and sport-specific coping. Two hundred and forty-two young elite athletes, drawn from various sports, were recruited for the cross-sectional study. For the longitudinal study, 65 elite athletes were recruited. All analyses were performed using Bayesian statistics. The path analyses showed credible indirect effects of dispositional mindfulness on coping via rumination and emotion regulation in both the cross-sectional study and the longitudinal study. Additionally, the results in both studies showed credible direct effects of dispositional mindfulness on rumination and emotion regulation. Further, credible direct effects of emotion regulation as well as rumination on coping were also found in both studies. Our findings support the theoretical model, indicating that rumination and emotion regulation function as essential mechanisms in the relation between dispositional mindfulness and sport-specific coping skills. Increased dispositional mindfulness in competitive athletes (i.e. by practicing mindfulness) may lead to reductions in rumination, as well as an improved capacity to regulate negative emotions. By doing so, athletes may improve their sport-related coping skills, and thereby enhance athletic performance. © The Author(s) 2017.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
New York, NY: Springer-Verlag New York, 2017
Keywords
coping, emotion regulation, mindfulness, performance, rumination, sport
National Category
Psychology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-34964 (URN)10.1007/s12671-017-0711-4 (DOI)000411241000022 ()2-s2.0-85029680696 (Scopus ID)
Funder
Swedish National Centre for Research in Sports, D2016-0037/ P2016-0146
Available from: 2017-09-15 Created: 2017-09-15 Last updated: 2024-01-23Bibliographically approved
Archer, T., Josefsson, T. & Lindwall, M. (2014). Effects of physical exercise on depressive symptoms and biomarkers in depression. CNS & Neurological Disorders: Drug Targets, 13(10), 1640-1653
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Effects of physical exercise on depressive symptoms and biomarkers in depression
2014 (English)In: CNS & Neurological Disorders: Drug Targets, ISSN 1871-5273, E-ISSN 1996-3181, Vol. 13, no 10, p. 1640-1653Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Regular physical exercise/activity has been shown repeatedly to promote positive benefits in cognitive, emotional and motor domains concomitant with reductions in distress and negative affect. It exerts a preventative role in anxiety and depressive states and facilitates psychological well-being in both adolescents and adults. Not least, several meta-analyses attest to improvements brought about by exercise. In the present treatise, the beneficial effects of exercise upon cognitive, executive function and working memory, emotional, self-esteem and depressed mood, motivational, anhedonia and psychomotor retardation, and somatic/physical, sleep disturbances and chronic aches and pains, categories of depression are discussed. Concurrently, the amelioration of several biomarkers associated with depressive states: hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis homeostasis, anti-neurodegenerative effects, monoamine metabolism regulation and neuroimmune functioning. The notion that physical exercise may function as "scaffolding" that buttresses available network circuits, anti-inflammatory defences and neuroreparative processes, e.g. brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), holds a certain appeal. © 2014 Bentham Science Publishers.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Bussum: Bentham Science Publishers, 2014
Keywords
biomarkers, cognition, depression, emotion, exercise, HPA-axis, monoamines, motivation, neurodegeneration, neuroimmune function, physical activity, somatic, symptoms
National Category
Geriatrics
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-28308 (URN)10.2174/1871527313666141130203245 (DOI)000348594400004 ()25470398 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-84924124549 (Scopus ID)
Note

Financial support: Bliwa Foundation

Available from: 2015-05-22 Created: 2015-05-22 Last updated: 2024-01-23Bibliographically approved
Josefsson, T., Lindwall, M. & Broberg, A. G. (2014). The Effects of a Short-term Mindfulness Based Intervention on Self-reported Mindfulness, Decentering, Executive Attention, Psychological Health, and Coping Style: Examining Unique Mindfulness Effects and Mediators. Mindfulness, 5(1), 18-35
Open this publication in new window or tab >>The Effects of a Short-term Mindfulness Based Intervention on Self-reported Mindfulness, Decentering, Executive Attention, Psychological Health, and Coping Style: Examining Unique Mindfulness Effects and Mediators
2014 (English)In: Mindfulness, ISSN 1868-8527, E-ISSN 1868-8535, Vol. 5, no 1, p. 18-35Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The majority of mindfulness intervention studies do not include active control groups. To examine potential unique effects of mindfulness practice and to study the mechanism responsible for beneficial mental health effects associated with mindfulness-based interventions, the present study compared mindfulness meditation with an active control group in a randomised controlled trial. A short-term mindfulness-based intervention (n = 46) was compared with both an active control group—relaxation training (n = 40)—and an inactive wait-list group (n = 40) on self-reported mindfulness and decentering, executive attention, psychological well-being, anxiety, depression, and coping style, in an adult working population with no prior meditation experience. Analyses of covariance showed that the mindfulness group scored higher than the wait-list group on self-reported mindfulness and psychological well-being. However, no differences were found on decentering, anxiety, depression, executive attention, or coping style. Moreover, the study failed to distinguish any unique mindfulness effects since there were no differences between mindfulness and relaxation on any of the variables. Simple mediation analyses, using a bootstrap approach, revealed that decentering acted as a mediator between self-reported mindfulness and psychological well-being. The length of the intervention, the similarities between body scan exercises in MBI and relaxation, and the absence of decentering effects may partly explain the lack of distinct MBI effects, suggesting that MBIs aimed at increasing well-being and problem-focused coping whilst reducing psychological symptoms in a working population should be longer than merely 4 weeks and include more than seven sessions. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
New York, United States: Springer-Verlag New York, 2014
Keywords
mindfulness, meditation, psychological well-being, mechanism, relaxation, decentering
National Category
Mathematics Environmental Biotechnology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-25044 (URN)10.1007/s12671-012-0142-1 (DOI)000339617700003 ()2-s2.0-84893298525 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2014-04-14 Created: 2014-04-14 Last updated: 2024-01-23Bibliographically approved
Josefsson, T. (2013). Mindfulness: Relations to attention regulation, decentering, and psychological well-being. (Doctoral dissertation). Göteborg: University of Gothenburg
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Mindfulness: Relations to attention regulation, decentering, and psychological well-being
2013 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

The current research project consists of three separate studies. The general aim of this project was to contribute to previous mindfulness research by exploring fundamental aspects of mindfulness in an effort to increase the understanding of mindfulness as a construct as well as its mechanisms. The purpose of the study I was to investigate the relation between mindfulness and sustained and executive attention by comparing Buddhist and Western mindfulness meditators (n = 47) and non-meditators (n = 45) in performance on computerized attention. The main purpose of study II was to compare these meditators and non-meditators on self-reported mindfulness, and also to investigate whether facets of mindfulness mediate the relation between meditation experience and psychological well-being. Study III aimed at investigating the unique effects of mindfulness practice as well as the proposed mindfulness mechanism; decentering. A short-term mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) (n = 46) was compared with relaxation training (n = 40) and a waiting-list group (n = 40) on a battery of tests - executive attention, self-reported mindfulness, decentering, psychological well-being, anxiety, depression, and coping styles – in 126 employees with no prior meditation experience. The results showed no significant differences between meditators and non-meditators either in sustained or executive attention. Meditators rated themselves higher than non-meditators on four of the five facets of mindfulness. The multiple mediation analysis showed that the five mindfulness facets mediated the relationship between meditation experience and psychological well-being but no single facet contributed significantly. Simple mediation analyses indicated, however, that Non-React was the primary mediator. No unique mindfulness effects were found since there were no differences between mindfulness and relaxation in any of the variables. However, the mindfulness group scored higher than the waiting-list group on the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire total scale and psychological wellbeing. Meditators may have an increased awareness of internal processes and the ability to quickly attend to them, but this type of refined attentional ability does not seem to be related to performance on attention tests requiring quick responses to external targets. It may be concluded that effects on attention regulation are of less importance compared to other beneficial psychological and physiological health outcomes due to mindfulness meditation. Mediation analyses supported (i) the notion that meditation experience is related to increased mindfulness, which in turn is associated with improved psychological well-being, and (ii) the idea that increases in mindfulness lead to increased decentering abilities which in turn leads to improved psychological well-being. Possible explanations for the absence of unique group differences between mindfulness and relaxation are that the length of the intervention was too short and the sessions too few, similarities between body exercises in MBI and relaxation, and the lack of group differences on decentering. Investigating unique mindfulness effects to distinguish mindfulness effects from relaxation should be prioritized in future studies. The promising theory of mechanisms proposed in the Buddhist Psychological Model (BPM) needs to be empirically evaluated. MBI-related changes in selfperceptions, value systems, and ethical aspects may play a more important role for improved psychological health than what has previously been recognized. Other Buddhist practices such as loving-kindness meditation and compassion meditation also need to be examined. Finally, an in-depth dialogue between Western researchers, expert meditators, and Buddhist theoreticians may be increasingly important for mindfulness research to advance.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Göteborg: University of Gothenburg, 2013. p. 104
Series
Avhandling / Göteborgs universitet, Psykologiska institutionen, ISSN 1101-718X ; 281
Keywords
attention, buddhism, decentering, mediation analysis, meditation, mindfulness, psychological well-being
National Category
Philosophy, Ethics and Religion Economics and Business
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-25048 (URN)978-91-628-8716-2 (ISBN)978-91-628-8715-5 (ISBN)
Public defence
2013-06-02, Sal F 1, Psykologiska institutionen, Haraldsgatan 1, Göteborg, 14:00 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2015-01-19 Created: 2014-04-14 Last updated: 2022-09-13Bibliographically approved
Lilja, J. L., Lundh, L.-G., Josefsson, T. & Falkenström, F. (2013). Observing as an Essential Facet of Mindfulness: A Comparison of FFMQ Patterns in Meditating and Non-Meditating Individuals. Mindfulness, 4(3), 203-212
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Observing as an Essential Facet of Mindfulness: A Comparison of FFMQ Patterns in Meditating and Non-Meditating Individuals
2013 (English)In: Mindfulness, ISSN 1868-8527, E-ISSN 1868-8535, Vol. 4, no 3, p. 203-212Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

One of the most comprehensive measures of mindfulness is the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) with five factors-Observing, Describing, Acting with awareness, Non-judging, and Non-reactivity. Hierarchical confirmatory factor analyses, however, have suggested that only four of the FFMQ factors (i.e. all except Observing) were components of "an overall mindfulness construct"-which is puzzling because Observing represents a core aspect of all definitions of mindfulness. The purpose of the present study was to approach this problem by a person-oriented approach, focusing on patterns on the FFMQ scales, rather than linear associations between them. Data on the FFMQ were collected on 817 individuals. Cluster analysis according to the LICUR procedure was used to group these participants in 13 clusters, according to their profiles of scores on the five FFMQ scales. Of the participants, 325 were categorized as meditators and 317 as non-meditators. To test hypotheses about the relation between Observing and mindfulness (which we assumed should be higher among meditators), the meditators/non-meditators categorization was cross-tabulated with the FFMQ clusters. The results showed that all clusters in which meditators were over-represented had high scores on Observing, and all clusters in which meditators were under-represented had low scores on Observing-which supports the hypothesis that mindfulness is related to high levels of Observing. The relationship between Observing and Non-judging, however, was found to be more complex than expected. The results are discussed in terms of mindfulness seen as a multidimensional skill, which may develop differently in various subgroups of individuals.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Springer, 2013
Keywords
Mindfulness, Cluster analysis, FFMQ, Meditators, Non-meditators
National Category
Other Medical Sciences not elsewhere specified Psychology (excluding Applied Psychology) Applied Psychology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-35449 (URN)10.1007/s12671-012-0111-8 (DOI)000339616900002 ()2-s2.0-84881500294 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2017-11-22 Created: 2017-11-22 Last updated: 2021-11-26Bibliographically approved
Josefsson, T., Lindwall, M. & Archer, T. (2013). Physical exercise intervention in depressive disorders: Meta-analysis and systematic review. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 24(2), 259-272
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Physical exercise intervention in depressive disorders: Meta-analysis and systematic review
2013 (English)In: Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, ISSN 0905-7188, E-ISSN 1600-0838, Vol. 24, no 2, p. 259-272Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Previous meta-analyses investigating the effect of exercise on depression have included trials where the control condition has been categorized as placebo despite the fact that this particular placebo intervention (e.g., meditation, relaxation) has been recognized as having an antidepressant effect. Because meditation and mindfulness-based interventions are associated with depression reduction, it is impossible to separate the effect of the physical exercise from the meditation-related parts. The present study determined the efficacy of exercise in reducing symptoms of depression compared with no treatment, placebo conditions or usual care among clinically defined depressed adults. Of 89 retrieved studies, 15 passed the inclusion criteria of which 13 studies presented sufficient information for calculating effect sizes. The main result showed a significant large overall effect favoring exercise intervention. The effect size was even larger when only trials that had used no treatment or placebo conditions were analyzed. Nevertheless, effect size was reduced to a moderate level when only studies with high methodological quality were included in the analysis. Exercise may be recommended for people with mild and moderate depression who are willing, motivated, and physically healthy enough to engage in such a program.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Malden, United States: Wiley-Blackwell, 2013
Keywords
depression, exercise, meta-analysis, physical activity
National Category
Sport and Fitness Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-25046 (URN)10.1111/sms.12050 (DOI)000332982700007 ()23362828 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-84896405528 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2014-04-14 Created: 2014-04-14 Last updated: 2024-01-23Bibliographically approved
Projects
Effects of an intervention designed for identifying misinformation, desinformation and conspiracy theories [2021-06266_VR]; Halmstad University
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