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Handbook of Mindfulness and Self-Regulation pp 81–94Cite as

The “Why,” “What,” and “How” of Healthy Self-Regulation: Mindfulness and Well-Being from a Self-Determination Theory Perspective

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Abstract

According to self-determination theory (SDT; Ryan and Deci, Am Psychol 55:68–78, 2000), both why people act (e.g., from autonomy or control) and what they choose to do (e.g., pursuing intrinsic versus extrinsic goals) predict the overall quality of their living. When the reason “why” one acts is volitional and self-endorsed and “what” one pursues is more intrinsically oriented (e.g., personal growth, community contribution) one is more likely to experience overall wellness. In this chapter, we discuss how mindfulness, or open awareness of what is occurring in the moment (Brown and Ryan, J Personal Soc Psychol 84:822–848, 2003), supports more autonomous forms of self-regulation and more intrinsic versus extrinsic goal selection, supplying an important “how” of eudaimonic, or meaningful and satisfying, living. To show these links we first present a brief overview of SDT, then delineate the construct mindfulness, and review evidence of how mindfulness relates to both the regulatory processes through which behaviors are enacted, and the content of goals that individuals pursue.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical and Social Sciences in Psychology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA

    Patricia P. Schultz & Richard M. Ryan

  2. Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University, Strathfield, NSW, Australia

    Richard M. Ryan

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  1. Patricia P. Schultz
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Correspondence to Patricia P. Schultz .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Brian D. Ostafin

  2. Department of Psychology, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA

    Michael D. Robinson

  3. Department of Psychology, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, USA

    Brian P. Meier

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Schultz, P.P., Ryan, R.M. (2015). The “Why,” “What,” and “How” of Healthy Self-Regulation: Mindfulness and Well-Being from a Self-Determination Theory Perspective. In: Ostafin, B., Robinson, M., Meier, B. (eds) Handbook of Mindfulness and Self-Regulation. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2263-5_7

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