Frequency of Self-reported Unpleasant Events and Harm in a Mindfulness-Based Program in Two General Population Samples
Mindfulness December 2, 2020 R. Baer, C. Crane, J. Montero-Marín et al.
About two-thirds of schoolteachers and university students who took an 8-week mindfulness course reported unpleasant experiences linked to the practice, though most rated these as not at all or only somewhat upsetting, and some found them beneficial. The proportion reporting harm from the course ranged from 3 to 7%, and the proportion showing reliable deterioration on symptom questionnaires ranged from 2 to 7%. These groups largely did not overlap, indicating that harm may not be detected by standard symptom measures. The findings suggest mindfulness teachers should prepare participants for possible difficulties and assess harm explicitly.