Not all types of meditation are the same: Mediators of change in mindfulness and compassion meditation interventions.
Journal of Affective Disorders February 2, 2021 Pablo Roca, C. Vázquez, Gustavo Díez et al.
Both a mindfulness program (MBSR) and a compassion program (CCT) improved mindfulness, decentering, body awareness, and self-compassion in 431 participants. MBSR produced larger gains in present-moment awareness (decentering and body awareness), while CCT produced larger gains in socio-emotional changes (common humanity and empathic concern). Both programs similarly reduced psychological distress (stress, anxiety, depression), maladaptive cognitive processes (rumination, thought suppression), and improved well-being. Mediation analyses indicated that MBSR reduces distress and improves well-being through changes in present-moment awareness mechanisms, whereas CCT achieves the same outcomes through socio-emotional mechanisms.