Psychotherapy research : journal of the Society for Psychotherapy Research
November 1, 2024
Shannon Maloney, Jesus Montero-Marin, Willem Kuyken
17 citations
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy-'Taking it Further' (MBCT-TiF) improved mental well-being more than ongoing mindfulness practice alone in 164 graduates of mindfulness-based programs. This improvement occurred through increases in mindfulness, self-compassion, and decentering—each independently mediated the effect. For depression, all three mediators also played a role, but only mindfulness and decentering mediated effects on psychological quality of life and anxiety. The findings suggest that MBCT-TiF works by enhancing these three psychological skills, though future research should test them together and alongside other potential mediators like equanimity.
BMJ mental health
August 24, 2024
Shannon Maloney, Merle Kock, Yasmijn Slaghekke et al.
16 citations
A systematic review of 27 randomized controlled trials found that mindfulness skills, decentering, and attitudes such as self-compassion are significant indirect pathways through which mindfulness-based programs improve mental health and well-being. Only four studies examined mechanisms within specific mindfulness practices. The evidence for alternative mechanisms like attention and awareness remains limited, especially regarding well-being outcomes, mental health promotion, and comparisons with active controls. The authors call for high-quality trials with powered multivariate mediation analyses to address these knowledge gaps and guide future interventions.
Mindfulness
January 1, 2023
Shannon Maloney, Christina Surawy, Maryanne Martin et al.
9 citations
Four specific mindfulness practices from Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (body scan, mindful movement, breath and body, and befriending) produced similar state- and trait-level improvements in self-compassion, mindfulness, decentering, interoceptive awareness, and psychological quality of life among 160 adults from the general population. After a single session, state-level effects were observed across all candidate mechanisms and outcomes except decentering, with effect sizes ranging from 0.27 to 0.86. After two weeks of daily practice, trait-level improvements occurred in psychological quality of life and most mechanisms (effect sizes 0.26 to 0.64). No practice proved superior to any other. Changes in mindfulness, self-compassion, decentering, and body listening were linked to better psychological quality of life and more self-led practice.
The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science
April 1, 2025
Jesus Montero-Marin, Verena Hinze, Shannon Maloney et al.
4 citations
Mindfulness skills mediate the effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on depressive symptoms over 24 months, and this mediation is stronger for people with more severe depression. Among 424 adults with recurrent depression, those with higher severity showed an expected 10-point reduction on the Beck Depression Inventory-II, compared to a 3.5-point reduction for those with lower severity. The findings suggest MBCT with antidepressant tapering support works through a unique mechanism—mindfulness skills—that differs from maintenance medication alone, supporting personalized treatment for recurrent depression.
Behaviour Research and Therapy
February 1, 2024
Shannon Maloney, Jesus Montero-Marin, Willem Kuyken
An adapted mindfulness programme, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy-Taking it Further (MBCT-TiF), helped graduates of MBCT or MBSR improve their mental well-being more than simply continuing their own mindfulness practice. In a randomized trial with 164 graduates, those assigned to MBCT-TiF showed significantly greater gains in well-being after the programme, with a large effect size. No serious adverse effects occurred. The findings suggest that MBCT-TiF can help people sustain and build on the mental health benefits gained from an introductory mindfulness course, supporting a broader public-health approach to mental well-being.
Prevention Science
August 1, 2022
Kate Tudor, Shannon Maloney, Anam Raja et al.
Universal school-based mindfulness training can benefit young people, but it is unclear who benefits most, how it works, and how implementation affects outcomes. A scoping review of 31 studies found mixed evidence on moderators such as age or gender. Five studies showed that increased mindfulness skills and reduced cognitive reactivity and self-criticism after training predicted better outcomes later. Twenty-five studies examined implementation factors, but methodological shortcomings limit conclusions. The authors propose a conceptual model to guide future research and theory development.