Childhood trauma and subclinical PTSD symptoms predict adverse effects and worse outcomes across two mindfulness-based programs for active depression.
Nicholas K. Canby, Elizabeth A Cosby, Roman Palitsky, Deanna M Kaplan, Josie R Lee, Golnoosh Mahdavi, Adrian A Lopez, Roberta E Goldman, Kristina Eichel, Jared R. Lindahl, Willoughby B. Britton
PLoS One 2025 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0318499 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Secondary analysis of two clinical trials Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 156 |
| Population | Adults with active depression participating in mindfulness-based programs |
| Intervention | mindfulness-based programs |
| Topics | Depression Meditation PTSD |
| Citations | 10 |
| Key findings | Childhood trauma, especially sexual abuse, and PTSD symptoms predict worse depression outcomes and more meditation-related adverse effects in mindfulness-based programs. |
Abstract
Within mindfulness-based programs (MBPs), mixed results have been found for the role of childhood trauma as a moderator of depression outcomes. Furthermore, childhood trauma and PTSD symptoms have been identified as possible risk factors for the occurrence of meditation-related adverse effects (MRAE). The present research examined multiple forms of childhood trauma and PTSD symptoms as predictors of depression treatment outcomes and MRAEs. Various forms of childhood trauma (e.g., abuse and neglect) were examined as predictors of depression treatment outcomes and participant attrition using secondary analyses of two MBP clinical trials (N = 52 and 104, respectively). Study 2 also examined meditation-related side effects (MRSE) and MRAE as outcomes and current subclinical and past PTSD symptoms as predictors. Childhood trauma led to worse depression outcomes across both study 1 and study 2, such that total childhood trauma and childhood sexual abuse were significant predictors across both studies. Childhood sexual abuse predicted attrition in study 2. Finally, multiple forms of childhood trauma and PTSD symptoms predicted MRSE, while total childhood trauma, childhood emotional abuse, and subclinical PTSD symptoms predicted lasting MRAE. Childhood trauma and PTSD symptoms may lead to worse outcomes and a greater occurrence of adverse effects within MBPs for active depression. These results call for further trauma-sensitive modifications, safety monitoring, participant screening, and provider education when implementing these programs.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on PTSD, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 10
- The meditation app revolution. American Psychologist August 7, 2025
- Mental Health Symptoms Do Not Increase Risk for Distressing Experiences During Intensive Mindfulness Meditation Training: Evidence from a Prospective Matched-Control Intervention Study Mindfulness September 30, 2026
- Body Scan, Sitting Meditation, Thought Meditation, or Loving-kindness Meditation: Perceptions of Formal Mindfulness Practices Among Young Adults With and Without Recent Self-injury Mindfulness July 20, 2026
- Prevalence and Predictors of Self-Reported Adverse Experiences in Digital Meditation Training: 2 Randomized Controlled Trials JMIR Mental Health June 12, 2026
- Recalibrating stress regulation through mindfulness: a framework for adapting interventions for ACE-affected populations Frontiers in Psychology April 10, 2026
and 5 more in the library
Cites 27
- Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation Perspectives on Psychological Science October 10, 2017
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2004
- Minding one’s emotions: Mindfulness training alters the neural expression of sadness. Emotion February 1, 2010
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for preventing relapse in recurrent depression: A randomized dismantling trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology December 3, 2013
- An exploratory mixed methods study of the acceptability and effectiveness of mindfulness -based cognitive therapy for patients with active depression and anxiety in primary care BMC Psychiatry April 7, 2006
and 22 more in the library