Dispositional mindfulness is predicted by structural development of the insula during late adolescence

S Friedel; SL Whittle; N Vijayakumar; JG Simmons; ML Byrne; OS Schwartz; NB Allen

Journal article

Dispositional mindfulness is predicted by structural development of the insula during late adolescence

S Friedel, SL Whittle, N Vijayakumar, JG Simmons, ML Byrne, OS Schwartz, NB Allen

Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience | Published : 2015

DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2015.07.001

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Abstract

Adolescence is a critical period of development, in which the increasing social and cognitive demands of independence need to be met by enhanced self-regulatory abilities. The cultivation of mindfulness has been associated with improved self-regulation in adult populations, and it is theorized that one neurodevelopmental mechanism that supports this capacity is the development of the prefrontal cortex. The current study examined the neurodevelopmental mechanisms associated with dispositional mindfulness in adolescence. Using a longitudinal within-persons design, 82 participants underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessments at approximately ages 16 and 19, and also complet..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Sarah Whittle Author

Nandita Vijayakumar Author

Julian Simmons Author

Orli Schwartz Author

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Grants

Awarded by Australian Research Council

Funding Acknowledgements

This research was supported by grants from the Colonial Foundation, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC; Australia; Programme Grant 350241) and the Australian Research Council (ARC; Discovery Grant DP0878136). Dr. Vijayakumar is supported by a Melbourne International Research Scholarship. Dr. Whittle is supported by a NHMRC Career Development Fellowship (ID: 1007716).