MOVING FORWARD WITH SELF-RELATIONS

Abstract

Background: The three selves model is the first model of self-relations. Self-relations describe the ways people relate to themselves and have significant implications for well-being. Self-relations are top-down concepts, making them difficult to research. The overlaps of mindfulness research and self-relations research were previously unexplored. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess whether the three-selves model reflects lived experience, explore whether mindfulness works in conjunction with positive self-relations, and investigate whether future self-relations research should incorporate mindfulness research. Design and Method: The research method is based on current literature regarding the literature on self-relations and a conversation with peers reflecting the three selves and mindfulness. The literature and the conversation are reviewed and reported in the Results section. The research questions are: Does the current model of self-relations reflect lived experience? Does mindfulness work in conjunction with positive self-relations? Should the future of self-relations research incorporate mindfulness research to better understand positive self-relations? Results: The significance of this study is that the three selves model partially reflects lived experience, reflecting its top-down nature. Additionally, mindfulness might work in conjunction with positive-self relations. Furthermore, mindfulness research should be incorporated into future self-relations research. Conclusions: Mindfulness might work in conjunction with positive-self relations. Key words: Self, Self-as-Content, Self-as-Progress, Self-as-Context, three selves model, three selves, self-relations, transcendental self, transcendence, mindfulness, hierarchical self, Self-as-Hierarchy, hierarchical relations, distinction relations, self-as-distinction