Time-varying associations between daily skills practice and affect in a mindfulness and positive psychology-based intervention for early psychosis.
Bryan J Stiles, Aslıhan İmamoğlu, Tate F Halverson, Julia Browne, Piper S Meyer-Kalos, Diana O. Perkins, David L Penn
British Journal of Clinical Psychology May 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1111/bjc.12548 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 38 |
| Population | Young adults with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder |
| Interventions | Integrated Coping Awareness Therapy (I-CAT) treatment-as-usual (TAU) |
| Duration | 9 months |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Emotion Experience sampling Positive psychology Psychotherapy Schizophrenia |
| Key findings | I-CAT did not improve daily affective outcomes compared with treatment-as-usual, but daily practice of positive coping skills was associated with better daily emotional well-being in young adults with psychosis. |
Abstract
Using daily life methods, the present study investigated the impact of Integrated Coping Awareness Therapy (I-CAT), which includes mindfulness and positive psychological interventions, versus treatment-as-usual (TAU) on improving daily affective well-being. Among I-CAT participants only, we also examined the time-varying effect of daily I-CAT skill practice on daily affective well-being. Data are drawn from a randomized controlled treatment trial involving 38 young adults with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder. Participants completed daily reports of positive (happiness, relaxation) and negative (stress, sadness) affect across 9 months of treatment. I-CAT recipients completed daily practice of mindfulness and positive coping skills. I-CAT and TAU did not differentially impact daily affect across treatment. However, daily skill practice was associated with better daily affective outcomes in certain phases of I-CAT. We also found that increased daily practice of positive coping skills was associated with better daily affective outcomes, whereas mindfulness practice was associated with poorer affective outcomes during certain periods of the I-CAT intervention. In general, I-CAT did not improve daily affective outcomes compared with TAU. However, components of I-CAT, specifically the daily practice of positive coping skills, were associated with improved daily emotional well-being in young adults with psychosis. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 4
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Monitoring mindfulness practice quality: An important consideration in mindfulness practice Psychotherapy Research October 9, 2012
- Daily Mindful Responding Mediates the Effect of Meditation Practice on Stress and Mood: The Role of Practice Duration and Adherence. Journal of Clinical Psychology January 2018
- Relationships between mindfulness practice and levels of mindfulness, medical and psychological symptoms and well-being in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program. Journal of Behavioral Medicine February 2008