Salutary proximal processes and distal mood and anxiety vulnerability outcomes of mindfulness training: a pilot preventive intervention.
Galia Tanay, Gili Lotan, Amit Bernstein
Behavior Therapy September 2012 DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2011.06.003 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 53 |
| Population | Adults aged 20 to 52 (mean age 25.2 years, 65.4% women) recruited from the Haifa University community in Israel |
| Intervention | Mindfulness skills training |
| Duration | Four-session (21-day) intervention |
| Measures | MAAS, SMS, EQ-D, AAQ, DAS, ASI-3, PANAS-NA |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Key findings | The authors report statistically robust and clinically significant associations between mindfulness and theorized proximal processes (decentering, experiential avoidance) and distal mood and anxiety vulnerability factors (dysfunctional attitudes, anxiety sensitivity, negative affectivity) following a brief mindfulness intervention. They argue these findings support larger-scale universal and selective transdiagnostic prevention efforts. |
Abstract
The present study evaluated the effect of a brief mindfulness-based preventive intervention on (a) dispositional (MAAS; Brown & Ryan, 2003) and state (SMS; Tanay & Bernstein, 2010) mindfulness; (b) putative proximal factors/processes engendered through the development of mindfulness, including increased decentering (EQ-D; Fresco et al., 2007) and reduced experiential avoidance (AAQ; Hayes et al., 2004); and (c) distal mood and anxiety vulnerability factors, including reduced depression-related dysfunctional attitudes, (DAS; de Graaf, Roelofs, & Huibers, 2009), anxiety sensitivity (ASI-3; Taylor et al., 2007), and negative affectivity (PANAS-NA; Watson, Clark, & Tellegen, 1988) among a university-community sample in Israel. Fifty-three adult participants between the ages of 20 and 52 (M(age)=25.2 years, SD(age)=4.3 years; 65.4% women) were recruited from the Haifa University community. Nineteen participants were randomly assigned to an experimental condition (M(age)=25.3 years, SD(age)=4.3 years; 66% women) and studied prospectively over the course of a four-session (21-day) mindfulness skills training intervention; and 34 participants were randomly assigned to a no-intervention (control) condition (M(age)=24.9 years, SD(age)=2.4years; 64.7% women) and studied prospectively. Findings demonstrate statistically robust and clinically significant relations between mindfulness and the theorized proximal and distal mood and anxiety vulnerability factors. Findings are discussed with respect to their theoretical implications for better understanding mindfulness-psychopathology vulnerability relations, clinical implications for larger-scale universal and selective transdiagnostic prevention efforts, and future directions for this area of research.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 19
- Meta-analytic evidence for effects of mindfulness training on dimensions of self-reported dispositional mindfulness. Psychological Assessment 2016
- Ayahuasca: Pharmacology, neuroscience and therapeutic potential Brain Research Bulletin March 11, 2016
- The Correlation Between Mindfulness, Decentering, and Psychological Problems: A Structural Equation Modeling Meta-Analysis Mindfulness July 2, 2024
- How Meditation Promotes Well‐Being: Applying a Dual‐System Theory Social and Personality Psychology Compass February 1, 2025
- Correlation Status of Mindfulness with Depression, Anxiety, and Related Factors in Students of Khalkhal Faculty of Medical Sciences Journal of Health and Hygiene October 1, 2024
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Cites 21
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Mechanisms of mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology December 29, 2005
- Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects Psychological Inquiry October 19, 2007
- Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Psychosomatic Medicine July 1, 2003
- Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2000
and 16 more in the library