Tia Rich

All Publications

• Contemplative Practices Behavior Is Positively Associated with Well-Being in Three Global Multi-Regional Stanford WELL for Life Cohorts. International journal of environmental research and public health Rich, T., Chrisinger, B. W., Kaimal, R., Winter, S. J., Hedlin, H., Min, Y., Zhao, X., Zhu, S., You, S. L., Sun, C. A., Lin, J. T., Hsing, A. W., Heaney, C. 2022; 19 (20)

  Abstract

  Positive associations between well-being and a single contemplative practice (e.g., mindfulness meditation) are well documented, yet prior work may have underestimated the strength of the association by omitting consideration of multiple and/or alternative contemplative practices. Moreover, little is known about how contemplative practice behavior (CPB) impacts different dimensions of well-being. This study investigates the relationship of CPB, consisting of four discrete practices (embodied somatic-observing, non-reactive mindfulness, self-compassion, and compassion for others), with multiple dimensions of well-being. As with other canonical lifestyle behaviors, multiple contemplative practices can be integrated into one's daily routine. Thus, it is critical to holistically consider these behaviors, extending them beyond a simple uni-dimensional measure (e.g., daily mindfulness meditation practice). We developed an integrative measure of four types of contemplative practice and found it to be significantly associated with a multi-dimensional measure of well-being. Importantly, our findings were from three large global multi-regional cohorts and compared against better-understood lifestyle behaviors (physical activity). Data were drawn from California/San Francisco Bay Area, (n = 6442), Hangzhou City (n = 10,268), and New Taipei City (n = 3033). In all three cohorts, we found statistically significant (p < 0.05) positive associations between CPB and well-being, both overall and with all of the constituent domains of well-being, comparable to or stronger than the relationship with physical activity across most well-being outcomes. These findings provide robust and cross-cultural evidence for a positive association between CPB and well-being, illuminate dimensions of well-being that could be most influenced by CPB, and suggest CPB may be useful to include as part of fundamental lifestyle recommendations for health and well-being.

  View details for DOI 10.3390/ijerph192013485

  View details for PubMedID 36294068

• The Value of Contemplative Practices: A Mixed Methods Approach Exploring Associations between Resilience and Experiences of the COVID-19 Pandemic among Older Adults. International journal of environmental research and public health Achepohl, G., Heaney, C., Rosas, L. G., Moore, J., Rich, T., Winter, S. J. 2022; 19 (16)

  Abstract

  The aim of this study was to explore the association between resilience and experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic among older adults. We used a sequential explanatory mixed methods study design to recruit older adults who spoke English and were 60 and above during the pandemic. Survey data investigated older adults' resilience, post-traumatic growth, well-being, and demographics. Extreme case purposeful sampling of their resilience score was used to select interviewees. Qualitative data sought to understand the relationship between resilience and how older adults responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. Exploring the relationship between resilience (well-being in the face of challenge) and one's experience of the COVID-19 pandemic revealed that participants categorized as having high resilience had long held behaviors of contemplative practices that helped them effectively adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic. As we continue to face global challenges, we must redefine care, guide interventions, and promote healthy aging by incorporating contemplative practices into the lives of older adults.

  View details for DOI 10.3390/ijerph191610224

  View details for PubMedID 36011860

• Coping with the COVID-19 pandemic: Contemplative practice behaviors are associated with better mental health outcomes and compliance with shelter-in-place orders in a prospective cohort study. Preventive medicine reports Chrisinger, B. W., Rich, T., Lounsbury, D., Peng, K., Zhang, J., Heaney, C. A., Lu, Y., Hsing, A. W. 2021; 23: 101451

  Abstract

  Psychosocial health can influence the development and experience of several chronic diseases, and has been negatively affected for many individuals amid the COVID-19 global pandemic. To understand the impact of contemplative practices on emotional and mental health during COVID-19, the Stanford WELL for Life Study (US component), incorporated a series of additional surveys into its ongoing study. A total of 1,097 participants residing in California who responded to at least one of three COVID-19 surveys were included in this analysis. Linear and generalized mixed-effects regression models were used to investigate relationships between individual contemplative practice behaviors (CPB) (embodied observing meditation, non-reactive mindfulness meditation, self-compassion cultivation, cultivation of compassion for others) and four psychosocial outcomes measured in the original WELL questionnaire (resilience, dealing with stress, positive emotions, and negative emotions). In addition, the associations between CPB and depression, distress, and compliance with local Shelter-In-Place orders were also investigated. Participants who engaged in any contemplative practice reported significantly more resilience and positive emotions, dealing better with stress, lower distress, and were less likely to report an experience with depression in the last week. Similar findings held when CPB was modeled as a continuous variable. Significant interactions between the duration of the SIP and CPB were also observed for resilience and SIP compliance outcomes, indicating that steeper declines were observed among participants with little or no CPB across the study period. Further investigation into the potential protective benefits of CPB during times of major disruption and uncertainty is warranted.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.pmedr.2021.101451

  View details for PubMedID 34189024

• Contemplation by Design: Leveraging the "Power of the Pause" on a Large University Campus Through Built and Social Environments. Frontiers in public health Chrisinger, B. W., Rich, T. 2020; 8: 31

  Abstract

  College and university campuses have long been designed as embodied places of societal values and aspirations, reflecting both academic traditions and heritages alongside social and scientific change and innovation. More pragmatically, these spaces share some commonalities with other living and working environments, and must adapt to changing technological and social norms. Since the 1970's, workplace adaptations included employer-sponsored health promotion programs and facilities. While campus environments such as fitness centers and dining halls have been incorporated into health promotion initiatives, other aspects of human well-being have been neglected. In this paper, we describe an initiative, Contemplation By Design, to incorporate contemplation and mindfulness into the daily lives of all members of the Stanford University community, including students, faculty, staff, and their families, as well as alumni and retirees who live close by. This case study highlights ways that physical planning and programmatic initiatives for contemplative practices have been integrated to deliver generalizable, community-based well-being resources that can be emulated in diverse settings throughout the Stanford University campuses, including the main campus and local satellite campuses. Based on experience drawn from Contemplation By Design, practical recommendations for designing contemplative practice spaces and programs are offered.

  View details for DOI 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00031

  View details for PubMedID 32181235

• Self-Compassion and Mindfulness Behavioral Practices: Relationships With Well-being Rich, T., Winter, S. J., Kaimal, R., Hedlin, H., Heaney, C. 2018: S528-S528
• The Art of Health Promotion: Linking research to practice. New Measures for New Directions. American journal of health promotion : AJHP Grossmeier, J. 2017; 31 (5): 444

  View details for DOI 10.1177/0890117117725842

  View details for PubMedID 28826234

• The Art of Health Promotion. Stanford WELL for Life: Learning What It Means to Be Well American Journal of Health Promotion Heaney, C., Avery, E., Rich, T., Ahuja, N., Winter, S. J. 2017; 3 (5): 444-450
• The Influence of Diet, Sleep and Physical Activity on Well-being Perceptiosn and Behaviors Winter, S. J., Rich, T., avery, E., Hedlin, H., Balasubramanian, V., Heaney, C. 2017: S1330-S1331
• Well-being Over the Life Course: Changes and Adaptations Heaney, C., Rich, T., Evered, J., Winter, S. J., Avery, E. 2017: 878
• Increasing Participation in Worksite Health Promotion for Underserved Populations Rich, T. 2013: S31-S31
• Myths and Facts About a Health Promoting Lifestyle Fresh Start: The Stafnrod Medical School Health and Fitness Program Rich, T. KQED Books. 1996
• An Attempt to Modify Unhelathful Eating Attitudes and Weight Regulation Practices of Adolescent Girls International Journal of Eating Disorders Killen, J. D., Taylor, C. B., Hammer, L. D., Litt, I. M., Wilson, D., Rich, T., Hayward, C., Simmonds, B., Kraemer, H., Varady, A. 1993; 13 (4): 369-384

  View details for DOI 10.1002/1098-108X(199305)13:4<369::AID-EAT2260130405>3.0.CO;2-0

• THE STANFORD ADOLESCENT HEART HEALTH-PROGRAM HEALTH EDUCATION QUARTERLY Killen, J. D., Robinson, T. N., Telch, M. J., Saylor, K. E., Maron, D. J., Rich, T., Bryson, S. 1989; 16 (2): 263-283

  Abstract

  This study was designed to create, implement, and test a school-based multiple risk factor reduction program for high school students. All tenth graders in four senior high schools (N = 1447) from two school districts participated in the study. Within each district, one school was assigned at random to receive a special 20-session CVD risk reduction intervention and one school served as a control. The schools were matched for size and distribution of racial groups before randomization. At a two-month follow-up, knowledge gains were significantly greater for students in the treatment group on each of the risk factor domains tested: nutrition/diet (p less than 0.0001), physical activity (p less than 0.0001), and cigarette smoking (p less than 0.0001). Compared to controls, a higher proportion of those in the treatment group who were not exercising regularly at baseline, reported regular exercise at follow-up (p less than 0.0003). Almost twice as many baseline experimental smokers in the treatment group reported quitting at follow-up while only 5.6% of baseline experimental smokers in the treatment group graduated to regular smoking compared to 10.3% in the control group (p = 0.009). Students in the treatment group were more likely to report that they would choose heart healthy snack items (p less than 0.0001). Beneficial treatment effects were observed for resting heart rate (p less than 0.0001), BMI (p = 0.05), triceps skinfold thickness (p = 0.003), and subscapular skinfold thickness (p = 0.01). The results suggest that it is feasible to provide CVD risk reduction training to a large segment of the population through school-based primary prevention approaches.

  View details for Web of Science ID A1989U744100011

  View details for PubMedID 2732068

• Theoretical Framework: Comparing the medical/clinical model with the public health/community model Promotion of Physical Activity in the Community: A Manual for Community Health Professionals Rich, T. Stanford Health Promotion Reseoruce Center. 1986