What can we learn from randomized clinical trials about the construct validity of self-report measures of mindfulness? A meta-analysis
Simon B. Goldberg, Raymond P. Tucker, Preston A. Greene, Tracy L. Simpson, William T. Hoyt, David J. Kearney, Richard J. Davidson
June 4, 2019 DOI: 10.31231/osf.io/p8gew (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review with meta-analysis Randomized |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 4,743 |
| Population | Participants from randomized clinical trials comparing mindfulness interventions to other bona fide treatments or waitlist controls |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Clinical psychology Randomized controlled trial Psychological intervention Construct python library Clinical trial Treatment effect Intervention counseling Psychotherapist |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key findings | Self-report mindfulness measures showed larger gains in mindfulness intervention conditions compared to waitlist controls at post-treatment and follow-up, but compared to bona fide treatments only at post-treatment. |
Abstract
Because they provide data on responsiveness to experimental manipulation, clinical trials involving mindfulness-based inter- ventions are a source of evidence for the construct validity of self-report measures of mindfulness. Within-group and between- group changes in mindfulness were examined from randomized clinical trials comparing mindfulness interventions to other bona fide treatment comparison conditions or waitlist control conditions. We also examined changes in clinical outcomes and the magnitude of these changes relative to changes in mindfulness. We included 69 published studies representing 55 unique samples (n = 4743). Self-report mindfulness measures showed relatively larger gains in mindfulness intervention conditions vis-à-vis waitlist comparison conditions at both post-treatment (effect size [ES] = 0.52, 95% CI [0.40, 0.64]) and follow-up (ES = 0.52 [0.20, 0.84]), although the effect at follow-up diminished to non-significance in a trim-and-fill analysis intended to account for publication bias (ES = 0.35 [− 0.03, 0.72]). Measures of mindfulness also showed relatively larger gains in mindfulness inter- vention conditions vis-à-vis bona fide comparison conditions, but only at post-treatment (ES = 0.25 [0.11, 0.38], 0.10 [− 0.08, 0.28], at post-treatment and follow-up, respectively). All three conditions (mindfulness, bona fide, waitlist) showed relatively larger improvements on measures of clinical outcomes than measures of mindfulness, with the exception of waitlist conditions for which this effect was no longer significant at follow-up. Taken together, findings provide partial support for the unique respon- siveness of mindfulness self-report measures to interventions that include promotion of mindfulness meditation practice.
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
Cited by 3
- Mindfulness predicts less depression, anxiety, and social impairment in emergency care personnel: A longitudinal study PLoS One December 15, 2021
- Still facial photographs of long-term meditators are perceived by naïve observers as less neurotic, more conscientious and more mindful than non-meditating controls PLoS One August 28, 2019
- Assessment of mindfulness by self-report. Current Opinion in Psychology November 10, 2018
Cites 51
- 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
- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation Perspectives on Psychological Science October 10, 2017
and 46 more in the library