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Esther I. de Bruin

16 papers in the library · 852 citations · publishing 2011-2026

Papers

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Mechanisms of Change in Mindfulness-Based Family Intervention (MYmind) Versus Methylphenidate for Childhood ADHD: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Children March 23, 2026 Brett Kosterman Zoller, Susan M. Bögels, Renée Meppelink et al.

Background/Objectives: Mindfulness-based interventions show promise for treating childhood ADHD, yet the mechanisms through which they produce effects remain unclear. This study provides the first direct comparison of treatment mechanisms between a mindfulness-based family intervention (MYmind) and methylphenidate. Methods: Data were drawn from a preregistered trial combining randomized and...

Can we Predict Who Benefits Most From Mindfulness? Exploring Baseline Variables Influencing Responses to Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Young Adults

Mindfulness August 1, 2025 Ivana Buric, Lucija Žderić, Maja Wrzesien et al.

Abstract Objectives While mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have shown broad mental health benefits, few studies have examined which individuals benefit the most. Since emotion regulation is a core psychological process implicated in many mental health outcomes, this study aimed to investigate whether baseline participant characteristics predict improvements in emotion regulation following...

Child and Parent Mindfulness-Based Training Versus Medication for Childhood ADHD: A Randomised Clinical Trial

Mindfulness February 1, 2024 Renée Meppelink, Esther I. de Bruin, Brett Kosterman Zoller et al.

Abstract Objectives Medication is the predominant treatment for childhood attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) but has side effects and limited longer-term effects. Mindfulness for children and their parents could be an alternative as it targets children’s core symptoms and supports parents. This study compared the effectiveness of a family mindfulness-based intervention to...

Can sensory and semantic priming enhance the effects of guided self-compassion meditation? A proof-of-concept study.

Frontiers in Psychology 2024 Ivana Buric, Maja Wrzesien, Jelica Milojičić et al. 1 citation

Self-compassion is a fundamental aspect of psychological health and well-being that can be cultivated through self-compassion meditations, but it remains unclear how to facilitate this most effectively. This study is the first to explore whether sensory and semantic priming introduced prior to a guided self-compassion meditation could enhance the effects of meditation in comparison with a...

Family Mindfulness Training for Childhood ADHD: Short- and Long-Term Effects on Children, Fathers and Mothers

Mindfulness December 1, 2021 Susan M. Bögels, Frans J. Oort, Eva S Potharst et al.

Abstract: Objectives: We evaluated the effects of the family mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) “MYmind” for children with ADHD and their parents, and examined child and parent predictors of child outcome. Methods: Using a pragmatic quasi-experimental waitlist design, children aged 7–19 years (n = 167), clinically referred with a DSM-IV ADHD diagnosis, and both their parents completed...

Brief Report: Mindfulness Training for Chinese Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Parents in Hong Kong.

Journal of autism and developmental disorders November 1, 2021 Ryan Yuk Fai Ho, Dexing Zhang, Stanley Kam Chung Chan et al.

This study investigated the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a concurrent mindfulness program (MYmind) on Chinese adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and their parents in Hong Kong, China using a randomized controlled trial with a waitlist control group. Results showed the study had 80% compliance rate, 0% dropout rate, and 89% response rate. Between-group comparisons showed...

Mindfulness-Based Program for Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Qualitative Study of the Experiences of Children and Parents

Mindfulness July 16, 2019 Anna Ridderinkhof, Esther I. de Bruin, René Blom et al. 2 citations

Mindfulness-based programs could support children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their parents to cope with autism spectrum symptoms and reduce comorbid mental health problems. In this study, we aimed to explore which change processes are involved in a mindfulness-based program for children with ASD and their parents (MYmind), according to a qualitative analysis of the families’...

The Unilever Study: Positive Effects on Stress and Risk for Dropout from Work after the Finding Peace in a Frantic World Training

Mindfulness October 20, 2018 Esther I. de Bruin, Rachel T. van der Meulen, Jorien de Wandeler et al. 11 citations

Organizations are confronted with a constant need for efficiency, which affects the working atmosphere, often typified by velocity, time pressure, competition, job insecurity, and information overload, which may lead to stress, burnout, work-life disbalance, and lowered work functioning. This study evaluated an 8-week, 1.5 h-per-week group-based standardized mindfulness program (“Finding peace...

Attention in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder and the Effects of a Mindfulness-Based Program

Journal of Attention Disorders September 15, 2018 Anna Ridderinkhof, Esther I. de Bruin, Sanne van den Driesschen et al. 52 citations

Objective: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show atypical attention. Mindfulness-based programs (MBPs), with self-regulation of attention as a basic component, could benefit these children. Method: We investigated how 49 children with ASD differed from 51 typically developing (TD) children in their attention systems; and whether their attention systems were improved by an MBP for...

Mindfulness-Based Program for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Parents: Direct and Long-Term Improvements

Mindfulness October 5, 2017 Anna Ridderinkhof, Esther I. de Bruin, René Blom et al. 145 citations

A combined mindfulness-based program for children and their parents (MYmind) was beneficial for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this study, we investigated whether this program is also beneficial for younger children with ASD, whether effects last on the long-term, and whether it reduces common comorbid problems. Forty-five children referred with ASD aged 8 until 19 years...

Mindful2Work: Effects of Combined Physical Exercise, Yoga, and Mindfulness Meditations for Stress Relieve in Employees. A Proof of Concept Study.

Mindfulness 2017 Esther I. de Bruin, Anne R. Formsma, Gerard Frijstein et al.

Work-related stress and associated illness and burnout is rising in western society, with now as much as almost a quarter of European and half of USA's employees estimated to be at the point of burnout. Mindfulness meditation, yoga, and physical exercise have all shown beneficial effects for work-related stress and illness. This proof of concept study assessed the feasibility, acceptability,...

'I've Changed My Mind', Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP) for pregnant women with a high level of fear of childbirth and their partners: study protocol of the quasi-experimental controlled trial.

BMC Psychiatry November 7, 2016 Irena K Veringa, Esther I. de Bruin, Nancy Bardacke et al.

Background: Approximately 25 % of pregnant women suffer from a high level of Fear of Childbirth (FoC), as assessed by the Wijma Delivery Expectancy Questionnaire (W-DEQ-A, score ≥66). FoC negatively affects pregnant women's mental health and adaptation to the perinatal period. Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP) seems to be potentially effective in decreasing pregnancy-related...

A RCT Comparing Daily Mindfulness Meditations, Biofeedback Exercises, and Daily Physical Exercise on Attention Control, Executive Functioning, Mindful Awareness, Self-Compassion, and Worrying in Stressed Young Adults.

Mindfulness July 2, 2016 Esther I. de Bruin, Judith Esi van der Zwan, Susan M. Bögels

Our Western society is characterized by multitasking, competition, and constant time pressure. Negative effects of stress for the individual (anxiety, depression, somatic complaints) and for organizations and society (costs due to work absence) are very high. Thus, time-efficient self-help interventions to address these issues are necessary. This study assessed the effects of daily mindfulness...

DOI: 10.1007/s12671-016-0561-5 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) Physical exercise Executive functioning Mindfulness meditation Self-compassion +4

Physical Activity, Mindfulness Meditation, or Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback for Stress Reduction: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback June 25, 2015 Judith Esi van der Zwan, Wieke de Vente, Anja C. Huizink et al. 321 citations

In contemporary western societies stress is highly prevalent, therefore the need for stress-reducing methods is great. This randomized controlled trial compared the efficacy of self-help physical activity (PA), mindfulness meditation (MM), and heart rate variability biofeedback (HRV-BF) in reducing stress and its related symptoms. We randomly allocated 126 participants to PA, MM, or HRV-BF upon...

The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training on Behavioral Problems and Attentional Functioning in Adolescents with ADHD

Journal of Child and Family Studies September 21, 2011 Eva Van de Weijer-Bergsma, Anne R. Formsma, Esther I. de Bruin et al. 320 citations

The effectiveness of an 8-week mindfulness training for adolescents aged 11-15 years with ADHD and parallel Mindful Parenting training for their parents was evaluated, using questionnaires as well as computerized attention tests. Adolescents (N = 10), their parents (N = 19) and tutors (N = 7) completed measurements before, immediately after, 8 weeks after and 16 weeks after training....

The Mindful Attention Awareness Scale for Adolescents (MAAS-A): Psychometric Properties in a Dutch Sample.

Mindfulness September 2011 Esther I. de Bruin, Bonne J. H. Zijlstra, Eva Van de Weijer-Bergsma et al.

The factor structure and psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale for Adolescents (MAAS-A) was studied in a sample of adolescents (n = 717; age range, 11-17 years) of the general population. The MAAS-A and other questionnaires measuring other constructs were administered in high schools across the Netherlands. A one-factor structure was demonstrated...