An empirical investigation of the associations between metacognition, mindfulness experiential avoidance, depression, and anxiety
Torstein Ådnøy, Stian Solem, Roger Hagen, Audun Havnen
BMC Psychology September 21, 2023 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01336-7 (opens in new tab)
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Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 364 |
| Population | Community sample of adults |
| Measures | Metacognitions Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30), Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-24 (FFMQ-24), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Key findings | Metacognition, experiential avoidance, and the non-judging facet of mindfulness formed a latent factor of flexibility in cognition and emotional experience, while describing, acting with awareness, and observing formed a present-centered attention and awareness factor. Regression analyses indicated that flexibility explained more of the variance in anxiety and depression symptoms than present-centered attention and awareness. The authors suggest flexibility in cognitive and emotional regulation skills could be important in explaining symptoms of anxiety and depression. |
Abstract
Abstract Background The aims of this study were to explore the possible relation between metacognition, mindfulness, and experiential avoidance, as well as their association with symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Methods: Cross-sectional data was collected from a community sample (N = 364) who completed the Metacognitions Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30), the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-24 (FFMQ-24), the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).
Results: There were moderate-strong associations between mindfulness (FFMQ-24), metacognition (MCQ-30), and experiential avoidance (AAQ-II) (0.62 − 0.67), and they showed similar relations with symptoms of depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7) (0.57 − 0.71). Metacognition, experiential avoidance, and the non-judging subscale of FFMQ-24 constituted a latent factor of flexibility in cognition and emotional experience, while three FFMQ-24 subscales (describing, acting with awareness, and observing) constituted a present-centered attention and awareness factor. Regression analyses indicated that flexibility explained more of the variance in symptoms of anxiety and depression than present-centered attention and awareness.
Conclusions: The results suggest that flexibility in cognitive and emotional regulation skills could be important in explaining symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychological flexibility mediates the relations between acute psychedelic effects and subjective decreases in depression and anxiety. International sample of people who reported having used a psychedelic | 2020 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 985 |
| The Challenging Experience Questionnaire: Characterization of challenging experiences with psilocybin mushrooms Internet survey respondents reporting challenging experiences with psilocybin | 2016 | Questionnaire development and validation | |
| Psychedelics and Mental Health: A Population Study Adult population in the United States | 2013 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 130,152 |
| Ecstasy/MDMA attributed problems reported by novice, moderate and heavy recreational users Ecstasy users who participated in a WWW study of recreational drug use | 2002 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 282 |
| 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) used in a naturalistic group setting is associated with unintended improvements in depression and anxiety. Adults who used 5-MeO-DMT in a group setting with structured procedures | 2019 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 362 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Synchronous Online Group MBCT vs. Guided Asynchronous Online MBCT for Mild to Moderate Depression: A Randomized Clinical Trial Mindfulness March 1, 2026
- Refining the Observed Mindfulness Measure to Create and Validate the Observed Mindful Behaviours Scale Mindfulness February 24, 2026
- Synchronous online group MBCT vs guided asynchronous iMBCT in depressed sample: randomized clinical trial with a 3-month follow-up
Cites 10
- 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 training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2003
- Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects Psychological Inquiry October 19, 2007
- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
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