Profile & Research

I am a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science working at Waseda University.

In my research, I primarily investigate the psychobiological therapeutic mechanisms of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for chronic stress reduction. Specifically, I test hypotheses derived from the Monitor and Acceptance Theory (MAT; Lindsay and Creswell, 2017: DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2016.10.011). More recently, I am increasingly interested in exploring the effects of Judo, intended as a physical education programme, on psychological constructs.

I strive to conduct epistemologically sound theory-driven research following the method proposed by Karl Popper and Imre Lakatos (Popper, 1959, The logic of scientific discovery; Lakatos, 1978, The Methodology of Scientific Research Programmes).

During my time at Waseda University, I hope to meet an international network of like-minded scholars interested in mind-body practices.

In my free time, I enjoy practicing Judo, exploring Japan, and spending time with friends.

Please contact me if you share similar academic interests or would like to volunteer for one of my studies. Currently, I am conducting 1) an intervention study on the effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (English language only), and

2) a cross-sectional exploratory study on the association between sport practice and a variety of psychological constructs (Italian or Japanese only).

Selected Publications & Presentations

Publications: 

Saldarini, F., Yamasaki, K., & Miyata, H. Associations Between Chronic Stress, Attention, Working Memory, and Mindful Acceptance in the Context of Monitor and Acceptance Theory: A Direct Replication and Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study. Mindfulness (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-024-02376-9

Simione, L., Saldarini, F. A Critical Review of the Monitor and Acceptance Theory of Mindfulness. Mindfulness (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-023-02129-0

Saldarini, F., & Cropley, M. (2022). Chronic Stress Is Associated with Reduced Mindful Acceptance Skills but Not with Mindful Attention Monitoring: A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(18), 11304. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811304

Saldarini, F., Gottlieb, N., & Stokes, P. R. A. (2022). Neural correlates of working memory function in euthymic people with bipolar disorder compared to healthy controls: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 297, 610–622. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.10.084

Poster presentations:

Japan Emotionology Society Conference. Kobe, 2024.

“Saldarini F., Morriss J., Miyata H., Cropley M. An online intervention study investigating the therapeutic mechanisms of mindfulness-based interventions for chronic stress reduction: preliminary results”. 

33rd International Congress of Psychology. Prague, 2024.

“Saldarini F., Yamasaki K., Miyata H. Associations between attention monitoring, mindful acceptance, working memory, and chronic stress”.

Society for Tokyo Young Psychologists. Tokyo, 2023.

“Saldarini F., Yamasaki K., Miyata H. Associations between chronic stress, attention, and acceptance: an upcoming replication study”. Won the conference’s “Excellent Presentation Award in the category of PhD students”.