Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy experiences in youth with inflammatory bowel disease and depression: findings from a mixed methods qualitative study
Tatjana Ewais, Jake Begun, Maura Kenny, Steve Kisely, Alan Headey, Merilyn Tefay
BMJ Open November 5, 2020 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041140 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study nested within a randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 29 |
| Population | Adolescents and young adults with inflammatory bowel disease and depression |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Key findings | Participants described MBCT experiences as healing and transformative, with connectedness, growing in wisdom, and therapeutic alliance facilitating therapeutic change. |
Abstract
Objectives Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is effective in treating psychosocial comorbidities in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, there have been no qualitative studies of MBCT experiences among youth with IBD. We aimed to examine the experiences of youth with IBD and depression who completed an adapted MBCT group programme, and the impact of common psychotherapy and group factors.Design This mixed method qualitative study, nested within a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of MBCT for youth with IBD, employed thematic analysis of qualitative data from three focus groups and open-ended survey questions.Setting The study was conducted in the outpatient department of a tertiary hospital for young adults in Brisbane, Australia.Participants Out of sixty-four adolescents and young adults recruited to the RCT of MBCT for youth with IBD and depression, 29 completed the MBCT evaluation survey and 19 attended the focus groups.Results Four key themes emerged: ‘connectedness and shared understanding’, ‘growing in wisdom’, ‘therapeutic alliance’ and ‘barriers to mindfulness practice’. Participants described MBCT experiences as healing and transformative with the themes of connectedness, growing in wisdom and therapeutic alliance laying the foundation for therapeutic change. Main barriers included fatigue, depression, time and travel constraints.Conclusions The study identified key themes facilitating the process of therapeutic change within the MBCT programme for youth with IBD and elucidated common and group psychotherapy factors underlying the key themes. Participants perceived connecting with peers as essential for learning mindfulness skills which in turn strengthened the connection. Study findings will facilitate interpretation of the results of the RCT of MBCT in youth with IBD and inform the design of future studies of MBCT in this cohort.Trial registration number ACTRN12617000876392; Results.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on depression, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- Acceptability and Feasibility of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Adults with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Mixed-Methods Study Mindfulness August 14, 2026
- Mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy for chronic noncancer pain and prescription opioid use disorder: A qualitative pilot study of its feasibility and the perceived process of change Brain and Behavior May 24, 2023
- The Effect of Empowering Education Combined With Mindfulness Meditation Training on Negative Emotion and Quality of Life in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience 2022
- Mindfulness based cognitive therapy for youth with inflammatory bowel disease and depression - Findings from a pilot randomised controlled trial. Journal of Psychosomatic Research August 2, 2021
- Mindfulness-Based Virtual Reality Intervention for Children and Young Adults with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Pilot Feasibility and Acceptability Study. Children May 5, 2021
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and 4 more in the library