Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Intervention on Psychological Well-being and Quality of Life: Is Increased Mindfulness Indeed the Mechanism?
Ivan Nyklíček, Karlijn F. Kuijpers
Annals of Behavioral Medicine June 1, 2008 DOI: 10.1007/s12160-008-9030-2 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA randomized controlled trial compared mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) with a waiting-list control in 60 community adults (40 women, 20 men; mean age 43.6 years) experiencing distress. MBSR led to significantly greater reductions in perceived stress and vital exhaustion, and greater increases in positive affect, quality of life, and mindfulness. When mindfulness was accounted for, the effects on stress and quality of life became nonsignificant, suggesting that increased mindfulness may partially mediate MBSR's benefits.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 60 |
| Population | Community adults with symptoms of distress |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Mindfulness-based stress reduction Randomized controlled trial Clinical psychology Intervention counseling Health psychology |
| Citations | 535 |
| Key finding | MBSR significantly reduced perceived stress and vital exhaustion and increased positive affect, quality of life, and mindfulness; increased mindfulness may partially mediate these effects. |
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although several studies have reported positive effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention on psychological well-being, it is not known whether these effects are attributable to a change in mindfulness. PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to compare the effects of MBSR to a waiting-list control condition in a randomized controlled trial while examining potentially mediating effects of mindfulness. METHODS: Forty women and 20 men from the community with symptoms of distress (mean age 43.6 years, SD = 10.1) were randomized into a group receiving MBSR or a waiting-list control group. Before and after the intervention period, questionnaires were completed on psychological well-being, quality of life, and mindfulness. RESULTS: Repeated measures multiple analysis of variance (MANCOVAs) showed that, compared with the control group, the intervention resulted in significantly stronger reductions of perceived stress (p = 0.016) and vital exhaustion (p = 0.001) and stronger elevations of positive affect (p = 0.006), quality of life (p = .009), as well as mindfulness (p = 0.001). When mindfulness was included as a covariate in the MANCOVA, the group effects on perceived stress and quality of life were reduced to nonsignificance. CONCLUSION: Increased mindfulness may, at least partially, mediate the positive effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention.