Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Couple Therapy With Integrated Mindfulness on Mindful Attention, Depressive Symptoms, and Dyadic Adjustment in Low‐Income Couples: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial
Ricardo S. S. Durães, Zila Elizabeth Pulache Vargas, Ana Cristina Garcia Dias, Francisco Lotufo‐Neto, Renato T. Ramos, Antonio de Pádua Serafim
Journal of Marital and Family Therapy October 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1111/jmft.70169 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pilot randomized clinical trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 34 |
| Population | Low-income Brazilian couples (per-capita household income up to one minimum wage); 17 heterosexual couples |
| Duration | Eight 80-minute conjoint sessions plus daily home exercises; assessments at baseline, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up |
| Measures | R-DAS, MAAS, IHSC, BDI-II |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Time-by-group effects favored CBCT with mindfulness over waitlist for dyadic adjustment, mindful attention, and depressive symptoms, with moderate-to-large effect sizes, but not for marital social skills. The authors present this as preliminary evidence that the approach may benefit disadvantaged couples. |
Abstract
ABSTRACT Psychosocial distress can exacerbate marital conflict, maladjustment, and mental health vulnerability. This pilot randomized clinical trial examined cognitive‐behavioral couple therapy (CBCT) integrated with mindfulness in low‐income Brazilian couples (per‐capita household income up to one minimum wage). Thirty‐four participants (17 heterosexual couples) were randomized (independent computer‐generated sequence) to an experimental ( n = 16) or waitlist control group ( n = 18). We assessed dyadic adjustment, mindful attention, marital social skills, and depressive symptoms (R‐DAS, MAAS, IHSC, BDI‐II) at baseline, post‐treatment, and 3‐month follow‐up. The intervention was eight 80‐min conjoint sessions plus daily home exercises. Time × group effects favored the experimental group for dyadic adjustment, mindful attention, and depressive symptoms (all p < 0.001, = 0.20–0.37), but not marital social skills ( p = 0.14). Because two outcomes differed at baseline, effects were confirmed with baseline‐ and dependence‐adjusted sensitivity analyses. These findings provide preliminary evidence that CBCT with mindfulness may benefit disadvantaged couples.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 16
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2003
- Mechanisms of mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology December 29, 2005
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for residual depressive symptoms and relapse prophylaxis Current Opinion in Psychiatry December 11, 2015
- Mindfulness and CBT: a conceptual integration bridging ancient wisdom and modern cognitive theories of psychopathology. Frontiers in Psychology 2024
and 11 more in the library