Mindfulness and psychotic-like experiences in nonclinical populations: a systematic review and two meta-analyses.
Katrina Mysko, Elise Quarterman Gear, Lyn Ellett
Psychological Medicine February 4, 2026 DOI: 10.1017/S0033291725103061 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 17 |
| Population | Nonclinical populations |
| Intervention | mindfulness-based interventions |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Meta-analysis Nonclinical populations Psychotic-like experiences Systematic review |
| Key findings | Higher trait mindfulness is associated with fewer psychotic-like experiences, but mindfulness-based interventions did not significantly reduce these experiences in nonclinical populations. |
Abstract
This systematic review and meta-analyses provide the first synthesis of the literature on trait mindfulness and psychotic-like experiences (PLEs). Theoretical models suggest a protective function of mindfulness and it is important to understand any potential role of mindfulness in the prevention and treatment of PLEs. We examined the following: (1) What is the relationship between trait mindfulness and PLEs in nonclinical populations?; and (2) What is the effect of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on PLEs in nonclinical populations? Five databases were searched, and effect sizes were extracted for each study. Seventeen papers were included in the review. Eleven papers explored the relationship between mindfulness and PLEs, and the meta-regression found a small negative association between PLEs and mindfulness (k = 8; pooled correlation r = -0.25; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.37, -0.13, p < .001). Eight studies investigated the effect of MBIs on PLEs and the summary effect was not significant in the meta-analysis (k = 5; pooled standard mean difference = .09; 95% CI: -0.61, 0.79, p = 0.80). Overall, the findings suggest that higher levels of mindfulness are associated with reduced PLEs, with no evidence for the effectiveness of MBIs in reducing PLEs. Findings should be interpreted cautiously given the small number of studies and high heterogeneity in the meta-analyses. Future studies are needed to determine whether MBIs might prevent the transition to psychosis or an at-risk mental state and might usefully measure a broader range of clinically relevant outcomes.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being Diverse adult clinical populations | 2014 | Meta-analysis | n = 3,515 |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis Healthy subjects | 2009 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | |
| The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Nonclinical groups of adult meditators | 2012 | Meta-analysis | n = 163 |
| Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse Adults with recurrent depression in full or partial remission | 2016 | Meta-analysis of individual patient data from randomized controlled trials | n = 1,258 |
| Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials | 2011 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cites 9
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Assessment of Mindfulness by Self-Report Assessment September 1, 2004
- Mindfulness for psychosis: Current evidence, unanswered questions and future directions Psychology and Psychotherapy Theory Research and Practice June 30, 2023
- The Relationship Among Mentalization, Mindfulness, Working Memory, and Schizotypal Personality Traits in the General Population Frontiers in Psychology May 2, 2022
and 4 more in the library