Challenge or Threat? The Effects of the Standard and a Second-Generation Mindfulness Intervention with Buddhist Practices on Cognitive Appraisals of Stress: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Experiment Performed in Switzerland.
Liudmila Gamaiunova, Pierre-Yves Brandt, Matthias Kliegel
Journal of Religion and Health December 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-023-01964-8 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled experiment Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 65 |
| Population | Participants in Switzerland |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | Eight-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation Buddhism |
| Keywords | Buddhist meditation Cardiovascular response Challenge and threat Cognitive appraisals Stress Tsst |
| Key findings | Contemplative interventions (MBSR and MBSR-B) foster challenge appraisal over threat appraisal, contributing to a more adaptive stress response. |
Abstract
Contemplative approaches rooted in Buddhist traditions have been linked to the attenuation of response to social stress. Anticipatory cognitive appraisals of social situations potentially represent a mechanism explaining the stress-reducing effects of contemplative practices. The cognitive appraisal of threat is associated with an anticipated loss of social self-esteem. In contrast, the cognitive appraisal of challenge involves recognizing the potential for gain or growth in stressful situations and is associated with a more adaptive cardiovascular response. In this secondary analysis of a randomized controlled experiment performed in Switzerland, we evaluated the effects of two contemplative interventions on cognitive appraisals of challenge and threat and associated physiological profiles. The interventions were a standard Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program and a new program (MBSR-B), which included several elements from Buddhist practices. After an eight-week intervention, participants completed the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) and underwent the assessment of primary cognitive appraisals and cardiovascular response to stress. The results demonstrated greater challenge appraisal in the MBSR (n = 20) and MBSR-B (n = 21) groups compared to Control (n = 24), and MBSR-B participants scored higher on the challenge than threat appraisal. At the physiological level, the groups did not differ on changes in cardiac output and total peripheral resistance. Still, an exploratory analysis demonstrated that the MBSR-B group's cardiovascular profile best resembled challenge appraisal. The results suggest that contemplative approaches foster challenge appraisal, contributing to a more adaptive response to stress.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on buddhism, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 7
- How Practice Differences Shape Participant Experience in Second-Generation Mindfulness-Based Interventions: A Qualitative Study of Non-Buddhist University Students Mindfulness October 9, 2026
- Effects of Buddhist Interventions in Their Original Context: A Meta-analysis Mindfulness March 25, 2026
- Meditation awareness training (MAT) for people living with cancer: A thematic analysis of weekly diary reflections Journal of Psychosocial Oncology February 25, 2026
- Anticipating Stress: To Focus on the Body or Do a Self-Inquiry? The Effects of a Focused and Deconstructive Meditation Session on the Stress Response Mindfulness November 24, 2025
- Second-generation mindfulness-based interventions (SG-MBIs) for university students: a scoping review medRxiv October 22, 2025
and 2 more in the library
Cites 13
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- Stress Reduction through Mindfulness Meditation Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics February 18, 2010
and 8 more in the library