An ongoing process of reconnection: A qualitative exploration of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for adults in remission from depression.
Kate Williams, Samantha Hartley, Ian M. Anderson, Kelly Birtwell, Merryn Dowson, Rebecca Elliott, Peter Taylor
Psychology and Psychotherapy Theory Research and Practice March 2022 DOI: 10.1111/papt.12357 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 35 |
| Population | People in remission from depression who had experienced multiple episodes and were vulnerable to relapse |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention with qualitative interviews post-MBCT and at three time points during a 12-month follow-up |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Connection Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Process of change Relationships |
| Key findings | Participants in remission from depression described MBCT as fostering 'reconnection with experience, self, and others' and an 'ongoing process of change,' including greater awareness, control, choice, acceptance, and calm, alongside conflict between avoidance and engagement in practice. The authors argue MBCT encourages a deliberate shift toward reconnection and suggest practitioners provide more psychoeducation about depression and stronger emphasis on body-sensation awareness. |
Abstract
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is an 8-week relapse-prevention intervention designed for people who have experienced multiple episodes of depression and remain vulnerable to relapse. Previous qualitative explorations of the effects of MBCT for people in remission from depression have suggested a number of themes regarding changes arising from participating in MBCT ranging from awareness, agency, perspective, group processes, self-related change, and new ways of understanding depression. We aimed to qualitatively explore how participants in remission from depression experienced MBCT both post-MBCT and during a follow-up period. In a preference-choice trial design, 35 participants took part in qualitative interviews and assessments post-MBCT and at three time points during a 12-month follow-up. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Two overarching themes were developed as follows: (1) 'reconnection with experience, self, and others' and (2) 'acknowledging an ongoing process of change'. In theme one, sub-themes captured participants' experiences of increasing levels of awareness of their experience (e.g., thoughts, emotions, sensations, and present moment) from which they described changes in their relationship with experience describing increases in control, choice, acceptance, and calm. Participants described shifts towards reconnection with aspects of the self and relationships with others. In theme two, sub-themes reflected participants' conflict between avoidance and engagement in mindfulness practices, and the recognition of the gradual change following MBCT and long-term investment needed in mindfulness practices. Our findings have clinical implications in terms of facilitating MBCT and point to important themes around recognizing the ongoing process of reconnection with experiences, self, and others. Participants with histories of depression may have experienced disconnection and isolation from internal experiences (e.g., thoughts and emotions), self, and others; MBCT encourages a deliberate shift towards reconnection with these experiences. Practitioners could encourage more psychoeducation and discussions around depression during MBCT to encourage reflections on the process of reconnection. Practitioners should maintain an awareness of the ongoing, gradual processes of change and potential for conflict experienced during MBCT Practitioners could provide a stronger emphasis on building awareness of body sensations during MBCT, with suggestions provided in the discussion section.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on depression, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- Mindfulness-based interventions for patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders: A systematic review of the literature. Schizophrenia Research February 1, 2024
- A systematic review and meta-ethnographic synthesis of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy for people with major depression. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy August 15, 2022
Cites 18
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- Perceptions of Adjunctive Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy to Prevent Suicidal Behavior Among High Suicide-Risk Outpatient Participants Crisis May 31, 2018
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression. Industrial Psychiatry Journal October 29, 2024
and 13 more in the library