The Effects of Mindfulness Training on Emotional Health in Chinese Long-Term Male Prison Inmates.
Wei Xu, Kun Jia, Xinghua Liu, Stefan G Hofmann
Mindfulness April 19, 2016 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-016-0540-x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 40 |
| Population | Long-term male Chinese prison inmates |
| Intervention | Mindfulness training program |
| Duration | 6-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Emotion regulation Negative emotions Inmates Mindfulness treatment |
| Key findings | A 6-week mindfulness training program significantly improved mindfulness level, anxiety, depression, and mood disturbance (tension-anxiety, depression-dejection, anger-hostility, confusion-bewilderment, and total mood disturbance) in long-term male Chinese prison inmates compared with a waitlist control group. The authors conclude that these results support using mindfulness-based intervention to enhance emotional health in this population. |
Abstract
Long-term imprisonment can cause severe emotional problems, which in turn can trigger behavioral problems, self-harm, and suicide. Mindfulness-based intervention can enhance emotional health. This study investigated the effects of a 6-week mindfulness training program on the emotional health of long-term male Chinese prison inmates. Forty long-term male prisoners completed a pretest and posttest, with 19 in the mindfulness training group and 21 in the waitlist control group. The treatment group showed a significant improvement in mindfulness level, anxiety, depression, tension-anxiety, depression-dejection, anger-hostility, confusion-bewilderment, and total mood disturbance. Implications and limitations of this study were discussed. These results support the use of a mindfulness-based intervention to enhance the emotional health of long-term male prison inmates.
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
Cited by 16
- The Effect of Mindfulness Training on Proactive and Reactive Cognitive Control Frontiers in Psychology June 20, 2018
- Mindfulness training reduces slippery slope effects in moral decision-making and moral judgment Scientific Reports February 20, 2023
- Mindfulness based interventions for depression and anxiety in Asian Population: A systematic review Journal of Psychiatrists Association of Nepal June 28, 2018
- Effectiveness of brief mindfulness training for athletes' mood: The moderating effect of burnout. Acta Psychologica May 1, 2025
- Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Salivary Cortisol and α-amylase Level, Anxiety and Depression in Students: A Randomized and Parallel-Group Clinical Trial. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback July 22, 2025
and 11 more in the library
Cites 10
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2003
- Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2000
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Teaching and Learning in Medicine April 1, 2003
and 5 more in the library