Exploratory study of the effects of multi-site mindfulness interventions on the multifaceted self as a psychosocial indicator of mental health: A pilot study.
Philippine Chachignon, Emmanuelle Le Barbenchon, Lionel Dany, Sylvia Martin
Acta Psychologica May 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.104936 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractPeople without mental health conditions tend to see themselves as having a more complex and positive personality than others, combining opposing positive traits. In contrast, individuals with depression see themselves as more complex in negative traits, lacking self-enhancing strategies linked to psychological health. In a study of 24 participants with depression and anxiety disorders who completed an 8-week mindfulness-based intervention, measures of trait mindfulness, anxiety, depression, and self-compassion all improved. Participants showed reduced self-negativity and a more positive view of others, though they still viewed themselves more negatively than others. The multifaceted self concept offers a useful approach for assessing mental health changes in mindfulness interventions.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Pre-/post-intervention study Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 24 |
| Population | Individuals with depression and anxiety disorders |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Keywords | Mental disorders Mental health Mindfulness-based interventions Multifaceted self Psychosocial approach |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key finding | After an 8-week mindfulness-based intervention, participants showed reduced self-negativity, a more positive view of others, and improvements in trait mindfulness, anxiety, depression, and self-compassion. |
Abstract
The multifaceted self refers to how non-clinical individuals perceive themselves as possessing a more sophisticated self-compared to others by accumulating pairs of opposing positive traits. Conversely, depressed individuals are more multifaceted on negative traits, revealing an absence of self-enhancement strategies, which are known to be associated with psychological adjustment. A pre-/post-intervention study was conducted to observe the changes in multifaceted self and mental health following an 8-week multi-site Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) targeting depression and anxiety disorders. Among the 24 participants, changes occurred across all outcome measures (i.e., trait mindfulness, anxiety, depression and self-compassion). Participants displayed reduced self-negativity, a more positive view of others, and although they still maintained a more negative self-view compared to their view of others, this improved with the MBIs. Mindfulness and social comparison processes are discussed. The multifaceted self serves as a relevant methodological approach to assess mental health adjustment in MBIs.