Improvement of mindfulness skills during Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy predicts long-term reductions of neuroticism in persons with recurrent depression in remission.
Philip Spinhoven, Marloes J. Huijbers, Johan Ormel, Anne E. M. Speckens
Journal of Affective Disorders April 15, 2017 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2017.02.011 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Uncontrolled clinical study using data from two randomized controlled trials Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 278 |
| Population | Participants with recurrent depression in remission |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) |
| Duration | 15-month follow-up |
| Measures | FFMQ, NEO-PI-R, IDS-C |
| Topics | Meditation Depression |
| Keywords | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Recurrent depression Remission |
| Key findings | Following MBCT, participants showed significant improvement in mindfulness skills and, at 15-month follow-up, lower neuroticism and higher conscientiousness. Large improvements in mindfulness after treatment predicted long-term reductions in neuroticism but not conscientiousness; improvements in acting with awareness specifically predicted lower neuroticism. The authors argue MBCT could be a viable intervention to target neuroticism, a key risk factor for recurrent depression, though the design precludes causal conclusions. |
Abstract
This study examined whether changes in mindfulness skills following Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) are predictive of long-term changes in personality traits. Using data from the MOMENT study, we included 278 participants with recurrent depression in remission allocated to Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Mindfulness skills were measured with the FFMQ at baseline, after treatment and at 15-month follow-up and personality traits with the NEO-PI-R at baseline and follow-up. For 138 participants, complete repeated assessments of mindfulness and personality traits were available. Following MBCT participants manifested significant improvement of mindfulness skills. Moreover, at 15-month follow-up participants showed significantly lower levels of neuroticism and higher levels of conscientiousness. Large improvements in mindfulness skills after treatment predicted the long-term changes in neuroticism but not in conscientiousness, while controlling for use of maintenance antidepressant medication, baseline depression severity and change in depression severity during follow-up (IDS-C). In particular improvements in the facets of acting with awareness predicted lower levels of neuroticism. Sensitivity analyses with multiple data imputation yielded similar results. Uncontrolled clinical study with substantial attrition based on data of two randomized controlled trials. The design of the present study precludes to establish whether there is any causal association between changes in mindfulness and subsequent changes in neuroticism. MBCT could be a viable intervention to directly target one of the most important risk factors for onset and maintenance of recurrent depression and other mental disorders, i.e. neuroticism.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on depression, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 8
- Meta-analysis of a mindfulness yoga exercise intervention on depression - based on intervention studies in China. Frontiers in Psychology 2023
- The relationship between neuroticism as a personality trait and mindfulness skills: a scoping review Frontiers in Psychology November 15, 2024
- Cultivating inner access: Effects of a wheel of awareness–based mindfulness intervention on psychopathology and awareness of internal states Research Square June 22, 2026
- Change in Mindfulness Profiles After Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder Mindfulness July 1, 2024
- Is decreasing problematic mobile phone use a pathway for alleviating adolescent depression and sleep disorders? A randomized controlled trial testing the effectiveness of an eight-session mindfulness-based intervention. Journal of Behavioral Addictions June 21, 2024
and 3 more in the library
Cites 18
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