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)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| 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 Analysis of variance Distress Psychotherapist Public health |
| Citations | 535 |
| Post-publication review | 1 comment on PubPeer (opens in new tab) · last active August 2016 |
| Key findings | 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.