Does mindfulness practice promote psychological functioning or is it the other way around? A daily diary study.
Simon B. Goldberg, Adam W. Hanley, Scott A. Baldwin, Amit Bernstein, Eric L Garland
Psychotherapy April 30, 2020 DOI: 10.1037/pst0000286 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 25 |
| Population | Participants in a standardized mindfulness-based intervention (Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement) |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Psycinfo Psychological intervention Affect linguistics Clinical psychology Experience sampling method Multilevel model Intervention counseling Clinical practice Meta-analysis Psychotherapist Developmental psychology Medline |
| Citations | 22 |
| Key findings | Practice time and outcomes showed same-day relationships, but lagged models found no evidence that current day practice time predicts subsequent day outcomes; instead, higher current day negative affect predicted less subsequent day practice time, and higher current day mindfulness predicted more subsequent day practice time. |
Abstract
Mindfulness-based interventions are commonly used to reduce psychological symptoms and enhance positive qualities of human functioning. However, the influence of mindfulness practice dosage remains poorly understood, limiting dissemination and implementation efforts. The current study examined the association between practice dosage and several constructs related to psychological functioning (positive and negative affect, state mindfulness) over the course of a standardized mindfulness-based intervention (Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement). Twenty-five participants completed daily diary assessments for 12 weeks. Two-part gamma regression models examined the dichotomous (did practice occur?) and continuous (how much practice?) components of practice minutes. Practice time and outcomes showed same-day relationships in the expected directions. Lagged models, however, showed no evidence that current day practice time predicts subsequent day outcomes. In contrast, higher current day negative affect predicted less subsequent day practice time, and higher current day mindfulness predicted more subsequent day practice time. In a post hoc analysis, practice time moderated the link between day-to-day affect, strengthening the link for positive affect and weakening the link for negative affect. Collectively, these findings suggest that the causal direction linking practice time and outcome may flow from outcome to practice time, rather than the reverse-with potential recursive relationships between these factors. Further examination of lagged relationships between practice time and outcome as well as random assignment of participants to varying practice dosages (e.g., in within-person microrandomized trials) may help clarify the influence of this central treatment ingredient within mindfulness-based interventions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Undergraduate students | 2006 | Observational cohort | |
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Long-term Buddhist practitioners and controls | 2004 | Observational cohort |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Intervention-induced changes in state mindfulness do not predict trait changes in mindfulness, self-compassion, or perceived stress. Scientific Reports November 21, 2025
- Higher mindfulness and lower self-absorption predict greater compassion within romantic relationships. Communications Psychology June 6, 2026
- Effects of Induced Mindfulness at Night on Repetitive Negative Thinking: Ecological Momentary Assessment Study. JMIR Mental Health July 19, 2023
Cites 15
- The toronto mindfulness scale: Development and validation Journal of Clinical Psychology 2006
- The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin May 14, 2012
- Mindfulness Meditation and Psychopathology Annual Review of Clinical Psychology December 11, 2018
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for Improving Health, Quality of Life, and Social Functioning in Adults Campbell Systematic Reviews 2012
- Is mindfulness research methodology improving over time? A systematic review PLoS One October 31, 2017
and 10 more in the library