Attachment Security and Self-compassion Priming Increase the Likelihood that First-time Engagers in Mindfulness Meditation Will Continue with Mindfulness Training
A. Rowe, Laura Shepstone, K. Carnelley, K. Cavanagh, A. Millings
Mindfulness February 29, 2016 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-016-0499-7 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 117 |
| Population | Meditation-naïve adults (84 female; mean age 22.3 years, SD = 4.83) |
| Interventions | Neutral control prime Introductory mindfulness exercise |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Both a self-compassion prime and an attachment-security prime increased willingness to engage in further mindfulness training compared with a neutral control prime. The self-compassion prime acted indirectly by increasing state mindfulness, whereas the attachment-security prime had a direct effect, suggesting these factors may promote compliance with mindfulness training. |
Abstract
Mindfulness practice has many mental and physical health benefits but can be perceived as ‘difficult’ by some individuals. This perception can discourage compliance with mindfulness meditation training programs. The present research examined whether the activation of thoughts and feelings related to attachment security and self-compassion (through semantic priming) prior to a mindfulness meditation session might influence willingness to engage in future mindfulness training. We expected both of these primes to positively influence participants’ willingness to continue with mindfulness training. We primed 117 meditation-naïve individuals (84 female; mean age of 22.3 years, SD = 4.83) with either a self-compassion, attachment security, or a neutral control prime prior to an introductory mindfulness exercise and measured their post-session willingness to engage in further training. Both experimental primes resulted in higher willingness to engage in further mindfulness training relative to the control condition. The self-compassion prime did so indirectly by increasing state mindfulness, while the attachment security prime had a direct effect. This study supports theoretical links between self-compassion and mindfulness and reveals a causal role for these factors in promoting willingness to engage in mindfulness training. Our findings have implications for improving compliance with mindfulness intervention programs.
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 8
- The Effect of a Brief Mindfulness Practice on Perceived Stress and Sustained Attention: Does Priming Matter? Mindfulness June 6, 2022
- Can sensory and semantic priming enhance the effects of guided self-compassion meditation? A proof-of-concept study. Frontiers in Psychology 2024
- Efficacy of an online attachment priming and mindfulness practice intervention for insomnia, stress, and emotion regulation in university students: A randomized controlled trial. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being August 1, 2026
- The search for scientific meaning in mindfulness research: Insights from a scoping review. PLoS One May 4, 2022
- Meditation and Five Precepts Mediate the Relationship between Attachment and Resilience. Children March 7, 2022
and 3 more in the library
Cites 17
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Assessment of Mindfulness by Self-Report Assessment September 1, 2004
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine May 1, 2009
- The toronto mindfulness scale: Development and validation Journal of Clinical Psychology 2006
- Loving-kindness and compassion meditation: potential for psychological interventions. Clinical Psychology Review July 26, 2011
and 12 more in the library