Improving self-regulation in adolescents: current evidence for the role of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
Erica Sibinga, Nikeea Copeland‐Linder, Lindsey Webb, Ashley Shields, Carisa Perry‐Parrish
Adolescent Health Medicine and Therapeutics September 1, 2016 DOI: 10.2147/ahmt.s65820 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Children, adolescents, and their parents |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Rumination Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Psychotherapist Cognition Clinical psychology Stressor Depression economics Mindfulness meditation Intervention counseling |
| Citations | 61 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and mindfulness approaches can effectively reduce negative emotional reactions from psychiatric difficulties and stressors in youth, particularly those with rumination. |
Abstract
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) was introduced in 1995 to address the problem of recurrent depression. MBCT is based on the notion that meditation helps individuals effectively deploy and regulate attention to effectively manage and treat a range of psychological symptoms, including emotional responses to stress, anxiety, and depression. Several studies demonstrate that mindfulness approaches can effectively reduce negative emotional reactions that result from and/or exacerbate psychiatric difficulties and exposure to stressors among children, adolescents, and their parents. Mindfulness may be particularly relevant for youth with maladaptive cognitive processes such as rumination. Clinical experience regarding the utility of mindfulness-based approaches, including MBCT, is being increasingly supported by empirical studies to optimize the effective treatment of youth with a range of challenging symptoms. This paper provides a description of MBCT, including mindfulness practices, theoretical mechanisms of action, and targeted review of studies in adolescents.