Comparing the effects of a mindfulness versus relaxation intervention on romantic relationship wellbeing.
Johan C. Karremans, Gesa Kappen, Melanie P. J. Schellekens, Dominik Schoebi
Scientific Reports December 10, 2020 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78919-6 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial with active control (implied by comparison of mindfulness and relaxation conditions) Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Romantically involved individuals and their partners |
| Interventions | Guided mindfulness exercises Guided relaxation exercises |
| Duration | 2-week intervention with assessments at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 1-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Relationship wellbeing increased significantly among mindfulness practitioners (actor effects) and their partners (partner effects), but these changes did not significantly differ from those in the relaxation condition, so the benefit was not specific to mindfulness. |
Abstract
There is increasing scientific interest in the potential association between mindfulness and romantic relationship wellbeing. To date, however, experimental studies using active control groups and testing dyadic effects (i.e. examining both actor and partner effects) are lacking. In the current study, romantically involved individuals engaged for 2 weeks daily in either guided mindfulness exercises, or guided relaxation exercises. Participants, and their partners, completed measures of relationship wellbeing at pre- and post-intervention, and at 1-month follow up. The mindfulness intervention significantly promoted relationship wellbeing, for both participants (i.e. actor effects) and their partners (i.e. partner effects). However, these findings did not significantly differ from changes in relationship wellbeing in the relaxation condition. Theoretical implications of these findings for understanding the association between mindfulness and romantic relationship wellbeing are discussed. Moreover, the findings are discussed in light of recent debates about the relative lack of proper control groups in mindfulness research.
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 7
- Mindfulness, teacher mental health, and well-being in early education: a correlational study. BMC Psychology August 6, 2024
- Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Couple Therapy With Integrated Mindfulness on Mindful Attention, Depressive Symptoms, and Dyadic Adjustment in Low‐Income Couples: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial Journal of Marital and Family Therapy October 1, 2026
- Trait Mindfulness and Depression in Latino Couples: The Mediating Role of Relationship Satisfaction Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 2026
- Accuracy and bias in the perceptions of partner's negative emotions: the role of trait mindfulness. Scientific Reports March 22, 2025
- Attachment insecurity moderates emotion responses to mindfulness and loving-kindness meditation in adults raised in low socioeconomic status households. Emotion September 1, 2022
and 2 more in the library
Cites 19
- Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation Perspectives on Psychological Science October 10, 2017
- Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences November 23, 2011
- A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness meditation versus relaxation training: Effects on distress, positive states of mind, rumination, and distraction Annals of Behavioral Medicine February 1, 2007
- Neural Correlates of Dispositional Mindfulness During Affect Labeling Psychosomatic Medicine July 1, 2007
- Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Stress and Health March 15, 2010
and 14 more in the library