Mechanisms of Action in the Inverse Relationship Between Mindfulness and Psychological Distress
Kimberly A. Coffey, Marilyn Hartman
Complementary health practice review April 1, 2008 DOI: 10.1177/1533210108316307 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional, correlational Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Undergraduates |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Rumination Clinical psychology Structural equation modeling Psychological intervention Psychological distress Psychotherapist Mental health Cognition |
| Citations | 344 |
| Key findings | Emotion regulation, nonattachment, and reduced rumination significantly mediate the inverse relationship between mindfulness and psychological distress. |
Abstract
Both dispositional mindfulness and mindfulness-based interventions have been found to be associated with less psychological distress. The current study investigated three mechanisms by which mindfulness might exert its beneficial effects: emotion regulation, nonattachment, and reduced rumination. Correlational self-report data were collected from two independent, nonclinical samples of undergraduates. Structural equation modeling was then used to test the role of these three mechanisms in mediating the relationship between mindfulness and a psychological distress factor, consisting of measures for depressive and anxious symptomatology. The model was respecified based on the first sample and retested in the second sample. Results confirmed an inverse relationship between mindfulness and psychological distress. Furthermore, emotion regulation, nonattachment, and rumination significantly mediated this relationship.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Experienced meditators and nonmeditating comparison groups | 2008 | Cross-sectional study | |
| Neural Correlates of Dispositional Mindfulness During Affect Labeling Adult participants | 2007 | Observational cross-sectional | n = 27 |
| Assessing mindfulness in children and adolescents: Development and validation of the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure (CAMM). School-aged children and adolescents | 2011 | Cross-sectional validation study | n = 1,413 |
| Mindfulness and self-compassion as predictors of psychological wellbeing in long-term meditators and matched nonmeditators Experienced meditators and demographically matched nonmeditators | 2012 | Cross-sectional study | n = 152 |
| Impact of meditation training on the default mode network during a restful state 13 experienced meditators (over 1000 h of training) and 11 beginner meditators (no... | 2012 | Cross-sectional study | n = 24 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 58
- Changes in Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sleep Quality in College Students Through Taijiquan Courses: A Cohort Control Study The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine October 1, 2011
- Depression, Mindfulness, and Psilocybin: Possible Complementary Effects of Mindfulness Meditation and Psilocybin in the Treatment of Depression. A Review Frontiers in Psychiatry March 31, 2020
- Differential Effect of Level of Self-Regulation and Mindfulness Training on Coping Strategies Used by University Students International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health October 11, 2018
- The State of Dispositional Mindfulness Research Mindfulness March 18, 2022
- Randomized controlled trial of a group intervention combining self-hypnosis and self-care: secondary results on self-esteem, emotional distress and regulation, and mindfulness in post-treatment cancer patients Quality of Life Research October 6, 2020
and 53 more in the library
Cites 13
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects Psychological Inquiry October 19, 2007
- Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Psychosomatic Medicine July 1, 2003
- Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2000
and 8 more in the library