Effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for treating generalized anxiety disorder and the moderating influence of abuse during childhood: A randomized controlled trial.
Journal of Affective Disorders June 15, 2025 Guangzheng Tang, Bijun Chen, Manhua Wu et al.
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) reduced worry severity more than online psychoeducation in people with generalized anxiety disorder, but both interventions reduced anxiety to a similar degree overall. Among those who experienced childhood emotional abuse, MBCT was more effective at reducing anxiety than psychoeducation, and also more effective for anxiety in that subgroup compared to those without such abuse. The findings suggest MBCT's effect on anxiety depends on a history of childhood maltreatment, especially emotional abuse.