Decentering as a mediator of the effect of mindfulness on emotional distress: Evidence from cross-sectional and longitudinal designs.
Zhenzhen Wang, Xinyi Tang, Amy Hu, Wingsze Chiu, Stefan G Hofmann, Xinghua Liu
Psychotherapy Research November 17, 2024 DOI: 10.1080/10503307.2024.2426562 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial and cross-sectional study Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,686 |
| Population | Adults with high emotional distress |
| Intervention | Mindfulness Intervention for Emotional Distress (MIED) |
| Duration | 5-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Decentering Emotional distress Mediation Mindfulness-based intervention |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key findings | Decentering significantly mediated the effect of a mindfulness-based intervention on reducing anxiety and depression, with reciprocal influences between decentering and emotional distress. |
Abstract
To investigate the role of decentering as a mediator of the effect of mindfulness/mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) on emotional distress, we conducted cross-sectional and longitudinal designs. In Study 1, a total of 998 participants with high emotional distress were included. Mindfulness, decentering, anxiety, and depression were measured at baseline. In Study 2, 688 participants with high emotional distress were randomized to a Mindfulness Intervention for Emotional Distress (MIED) group (N = 344) and a waitlist control (WL) group (N = 344). The same variables were assessed at pre-intervention, week 3, week 5, and post-intervention. In the cross-sectional design, simple mediation analyses pointed to decentering as a significant mediator of the relationship between mindfulness and symptoms of anxiety and depression. In the longitudinal designs, repeated measures ANOVAs showed that decentering, anxiety, and depression significantly improved in the MIED group compared to WL group. Random-intercept cross-lagged panel models found that decentering and emotional distress reciprocally influenced each other. Longitudinal mediation analyses showed that decentering during the intervention significantly mediated the effect of the MIED program on alleviating emotional distress. Decentering may potentially act as a pivotal mediator for alleviating emotional distress in MBIs.
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
Cited by 2
- Physical exercise and depression in college students: the serial mediating roles of mindfulness and experiential avoidance. Frontiers in Psychology June 22, 2026
- Mindfulness-based intervention for patients with generalized anxiety disorder: a randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Psychiatry 2026
Cites 12
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Treatment-specific changes in decentering following mindfulness-based cognitive therapy versus antidepressant medication or placebo for prevention of depressive relapse. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology March 12, 2012
- Association between decentering and reductions in relapse/recurrence in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression in adults: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology February 1, 2022
- Effects of a Mindfulness Intervention Among Arab Teachers Are Mediated by Decentering: A Pilot Study Frontiers in Psychology September 29, 2020
- Distress tolerance as a mediator of mindfulness-based intervention for anxiety and depression: Evidence from two randomized controlled trials. International journal of clinical and health psychology : IJCHP 2024
and 7 more in the library