Psychological and neural mechanisms of trait mindfulness in reducing depression vulnerability.
Natalie A Paul, Steven J Stanton, Jeffrey M Greeson, Moria J Smoski, Lihong Wang
Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience June 19, 2012 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nss070 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental functional magnetic resonance imaging study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 19 |
| Population | Male volunteers |
| Interventions | Mindful breathing task stress-induction task |
| Duration | 2-day study |
| Measures | Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), emotional inhibition task |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Brain Humans Disease susceptibility Magnetic resonance imaging Risk factors Stress, psychological Self concept Temperament Awareness Personality tests Reference values Male Resilience, psychological |
| Key findings | Non-reactivity to inner experience was the mindfulness facet associated with lower trait rumination and lower negative bias following stress induction, and with reduced insula activation during inhibition of negative stimuli after mindful breathing. The authors propose that this facet may protect against psychological risk for depression through buffering rumination and negative bias and by reducing automatic emotional responding via the insula. |
Abstract
Mindfulness-based interventions are effective for reducing depressive symptoms. However, the psychological and neural mechanisms are unclear. This study examined which facets of trait mindfulness offer protection against negative bias and rumination, which are key risk factors for depression. Nineteen male volunteers completed a 2-day functional magnetic resonance imaging study. One day utilized a stress-induction task and the other day utilized a mindful breathing task. An emotional inhibition task was used to measure neural and behavioral changes related to state negative bias, defined by poorer performance in inhibiting negative relative to neutral stimuli. Associations among trait mindfulness [measured by the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ)], trait rumination, and negative bias were examined. Non-reactivity scores on the FFMQ correlated negatively with rumination and negative bias following the stress induction. Non-reactivity was inversely correlated with insula activation during inhibition to negative stimuli after the mindful breathing task. Our results suggest non-reactivity to inner experience is the key facet of mindfulness that protects individuals from psychological risk for depression. Based on these results, mindfulness could reduce vulnerability to depression in at least two ways: (i) by buffering against trait rumination and negative bias and (ii) by reducing automatic emotional responding via the insula.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on depression, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 53
- Self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-transcendence (S-ART): a framework for understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of mindfulness Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2012
- Mindfulness meditation–based pain relief: a mechanistic account Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences June 1, 2016
- The brain on silent: mind wandering, mindful awareness, and states of mental tranquility Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences June 1, 2016
- Views on a brief mindfulness intervention among patients with long-term illness BMC Psychology November 14, 2016
- The Correlation Between Mindfulness, Decentering, and Psychological Problems: A Structural Equation Modeling Meta-Analysis Mindfulness July 2, 2024
and 48 more in the library
Cites 41
- 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: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2000
and 36 more in the library