The Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation: Changes in Emotional States of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress
Istvan Schreiner, James P. Malcolm
Behaviour Change September 1, 2008 DOI: 10.1375/bech.25.3.156 (opens in new tab)
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA 10-week mindfulness meditation program reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in 50 participants. Those who began with severe emotional difficulties showed the greatest improvement. The findings suggest mindfulness training benefits subclinical depression and anxiety and can substantially reduce stress.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Pre-post intervention study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 50 |
| Population | Participants with subclinical depression, anxiety, and stress |
| Intervention | Mindfulness meditation |
| Duration | 10-week mindfulness meditation program |
| Key finding | Mindfulness meditation reduced depression, anxiety, and stress, with the largest improvements in those with severe initial symptoms. |
Abstract
AbstractThe research investigated the effect of mindfulness meditation on the emotional states of depression, anxiety, and stress. Additionally, we explored whether people with varying severity of depression, anxiety, and stress responded differently to mindfulness training. In order to investigate these questions, participants (n = 50) completed the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale, 21-item version (DASS-21) before and after a 10-week mindfulness meditation program. As predicted, the severity levels of all affective measures have decreased by the end of the meditation course. Participants with severe emotional difficulties at the time of commencing the meditation course demonstrated the most notable improvement over time. These results suggest that mindfulness training is beneficial in reducing the symptoms of subclinical depression and anxiety and can substantially reduce stress. Attentional retraining and self-management aspects of mindfulness meditation, as well as relevant methodological issues are discussed.