Does self-report mindfulness mediate the effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on spirituality and posttraumatic growth in cancer patients?
Laura E. Labelle, Linette Lawlor‐Savage, Tavis S. Campbell, Peter Faris, Linda E. Carlson
The Journal of Positive Psychology June 30, 2014 DOI: 10.1080/17439760.2014.927902 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Longitudinal waitlist-controlled study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 211 |
| Population | Cancer patients |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Mindfulness-based stress reduction Spirituality Clinical psychology Posttraumatic growth Psychological intervention Multilevel model Mediation Psychotherapist |
| Citations | 78 |
| Key findings | MBSR increased spirituality, posttraumatic growth, and mindfulness in cancer patients, with changes in mindfulness mediating these effects. |
Abstract
This longitudinal waitlist-controlled study evaluated the effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on spirituality, posttraumatic growth (PTG), and mindfulness in cancer patients. The study also assessed whether increased mindfulness mediated the effects of MBSR on spirituality and PTG. Patients were either registered for immediate participation in MBSR (n = 135), or were naturally waiting for the next program (n = 76). Participants completed questionnaires pre-, mid-, and post-MBSR, or waiting period. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) was employed to assess changes over time as a function of condition (MBSR vs. waitlist). Mediation was tested using linear regression and bootstrapping. MBSR participants demonstrated increased spirituality, PTG, and mindfulness, relative to controls. Change in all mindfulness facets mediated the effect of MBSR on spirituality and PTG. The development of mindfulness skills through MBSR may facilitate a sense of meaning, peacefulness, connectedness, and personal growth in cancer patients. This investigation contributes to an emerging focus on determining ‘how’ mindfulness-based interventions work.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Undergraduate students | 2006 | Observational cohort | |
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Long-term Buddhist practitioners and controls | 2004 | Observational cohort |
Citations in the library
Cited by 12
- Home practice in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of participants' mindfulness practice and its association with outcomes Behaviour Research and Therapy May 10, 2017
- Testing the mindfulness-to-meaning theory: Evidence for mindful positive emotion regulation from a reanalysis of longitudinal data. PLoS One December 6, 2017
- The Effect of Loving-Kindness Meditation on Flight Attendants’ Spirituality, Mindfulness and Subjective Well-Being Healthcare June 16, 2020
- Effects of Mindfulness-Based Elder Care (MBEC) on symptoms of depression and anxiety and spiritual well-being of institutionalized seniors with disabilities: a randomized controlled trial BMC Geriatrics August 18, 2023
- MBSR effects on positive psychological traits and experiential avoidance in head and neck cancer: a randomized controlled trial. European Journal of Psychotraumatology December 1, 2025
and 7 more in the library
Cites 21
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects Psychological Inquiry October 19, 2007
- A Randomized, Wait-List Controlled Clinical Trial: The Effect of a Mindfulness Meditation-Based Stress Reduction Program on Mood and Symptoms of Stress in Cancer Outpatients Psychosomatic Medicine September 1, 2000
- Mental balance and well-being: Building bridges between Buddhism and Western psychology. American Psychologist 2006
and 16 more in the library