Theoretical Mechanisms of Mindfulness Meditation on Emotional Regulation and Mental Well-being: A Literature Synthesis
Nguyen Thi Nhien Trang, Le Hong Linh
International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews August 6, 2026 DOI: 10.55248/gengpi.07.0826.2310 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | Argues that mindfulness meditation improves mental health through four mechanisms: attentional control and awareness, cognitive defusion, nonjudgmental emotional acceptance, and positive reappraisal, which together reduce negative affect and worry while fostering flexibility and resilience. |
Abstract
In recent years, mindfulness meditation has gained significant attention as a tool for better emotional control and mental health. This conceptual article brings together different studies to show what fundamental processes cause its psychological benefits. By referring to well-known emotion regulation models like Gross's Process Model, Monitor and Acceptance Theory (MAT), and Mindfulness to Meaning Theory (MMT), the paper reveals four main mechanisms: 1. more focused and flexible attention as well as heightened awareness of one's own mental states, 2. viewing oneself and one's experiences from a detached perspective and forgetting about one's thoughts as literal truths, 3. differentiating one's emotions more and accepting them without any judgment, and 4. reconsidering the situation in a positive light and making sense of one's life. On their own, these mechanisms lower the intensity of negative emotional experiences, stop people from avoiding their feelings, and decrease the frequency of worry like thoughts, whereas at the same time facilitating mental flexibility as well as psychological strength. Besides discussing the mechanisms, the paper contributes to knowledge about their brain basis, including the influence of the default mode network and the prefrontal amygdala pathways. By bridging the gap between religious/spiritual tradition and the two branches of psychology cognitive and positive, this work offers a unified explanation of the way in which mindfulness meditation supports mental health. Further research directions as well as therapy suggestions are given.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. | 2004 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Mechanisms of mindfulness | 2005 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective | 2011 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression | 2006 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-transcendence (S-ART): a framework for understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of mindfulness | 2012 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |