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.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical populations | 2003 | Review | |
| Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects | 2007 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Interventions | 2016 | Review | |
| Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation | 2017 | Review | |
| Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition | 2005 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 13
- Effectiveness and satisfaction of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for children on anxiety, depression, and internet addiction in adolescents: Study protocol for a randomized control trial. PLoS One 2025
- Mindfulness-based Interventions for Emotional Dysregulation in Adolescents: A Systematic Review. Annals of Neurosciences July 19, 2025
- Impact of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Symptoms and Emotion Regulation Strategies in Young Adolescents From the General Population: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Depression and Anxiety 2025
- The effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on non-suicidal self-injury in hospitalized adolescents with depressive disorders: a randomized controlled trial Psychological Medicine 2026
- Effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and virtual reality-based worry exposure therapy on cognitive avoidance and emotional capital in adolescents with social anxiety Preventing School Failure: Alternative Education for Children and Youth June 4, 2026
and 8 more in the library
Cites 12
- Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2000
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction for the treatment of adolescent psychiatric outpatients: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2009
- School-Based Mindfulness Instruction: An RCT Pediatrics December 19, 2015
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Urban Youth The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine February 25, 2011
- Impact of transcendental meditation on ambulatory blood pressure in African-American adolescents American Journal of Hypertension April 1, 2004
and 7 more in the library