Both sides of the story: Exploring how improved and less-improved participants experience mindfulness-based stress reduction for social anxiety disorder.
Aslak Hjeltnes, Christian Moltu, Elisabeth Schanche, Ylva Jansen, Per-Einar Binder
Psychotherapy Research January 2018 DOI: 10.1080/10503307.2016.1169330 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Mixed methods qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 14 |
| Population | Young adults with social anxiety disorder who participated in a clinical study of MBSR |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Mindfulness-based stress reduction Mixed methods Social anxiety disorder Treatment failure Young adults |
| Key findings | The authors argue that MBSR may be helpful for young adults with social anxiety disorder, but that participants differed in whether they discovered agency to change or felt unempowered, and that matching clients to their preferred form of treatment may be important. The qualitative analysis identified a global theme and four sub-themes contrasting active engagement and approach with ambivalence, avoidance, and resignation. |
Abstract
What works for whom in mindfulness-based group interventions for social anxiety disorder (SAD)? The present article compared the experiences of 14 participants in a clinical study of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for young adults with SAD. A two-staged mixed methods design was used to identify the participants who reported the highest (n = 7) and lowest (n = 7) levels of symptomatic change on outcome measures after treatment, and analyze qualitative in-depth interviews to explore what they experienced as helpful and unhelpful during the MBSR program. The qualitative interviews were analyzed using a thematic analysis methodology. We identified the global theme of (i) Discovering agency to change or not feeling empowered through the MBSR program, and four sub-themes: (ii) Forming an active commitment or feeling ambivalence toward learning mindfulness, (iii) Engaging with others or avoiding contact with the group, (iv) Using the mindfulness exercises to approach or resigning when facing unpleasant experiences, and (v) Using the course to break interpersonal patterns or remaining stuck in everyday life. MBSR may be helpful for young adults with SAD, although it may be important to match clients to their preferred form of treatment.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Comparison of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): Reducing Anxiety Symptoms Women’s Health Bulletin July 28, 2018
- Mindfulness, Anxiety Symptoms, and Quality of Life in Heart Failure. The Journal of cardiovascular nursing 2020
- An open trial of mindfulness-based stress reduction for young adults with social anxiety disorder. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology February 2017
Cites 9
- Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2003
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for Improving Health, Quality of Life, and Social Functioning in Adults Campbell Systematic Reviews 2012
- Group CBT versus MBSR for social anxiety disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology May 2016
- A Randomized Trial of MBSR Versus Aerobic Exercise for Social Anxiety Disorder Journal of Clinical Psychology July 1, 2012
- Some reflections on the origins of MBSR, skillful means, and the trouble with maps June 14, 2011
and 4 more in the library