Mindfulness and coping with stress: A multi-method examination
Research Bank January 1, 2016 James N. Donald
Mindfulness enhances self-regulation by reducing avoidant coping responses to stressful events, especially among relatively stressed individuals. Two experiments manipulated mindfulness via a brief induction and a multi-session intervention, finding small-to-medium effects on approach and avoidance coping. Two further studies examined the components of acceptance and cognitive defusion: a brief induction of these components affected behavioral measures of coping, while a daily-diary study showed that cognitive defusion predicted greater approach and less avoidance coping within and across days. Perceived stress consistently moderated mindfulness effects on avoidance coping. The findings support theories that mindfulness aids behavior-regulation and suggest mindfulness interventions may reduce avoidant behaviors like blame-shifting and defensive responding, with particular benefits in high-stress contexts.