Linking Cognitive Reappraisal and Expressive Suppression to Mindfulness: A Three-Level Meta-Analysis
Senlin Zhou, Yun-Peng Wu, Xi-Zheng Xu
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2023 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021241 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Meta-analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 12,026 |
| Population | Participants across 36 included studies (36 samples) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Mindfulness was positively correlated with cognitive reappraisal to a low-to-moderate degree but was not correlated with expressive suppression. The mindfulness–cognitive reappraisal association was slightly closer in males than in females. The authors state these findings support the affect regulation training model. |
Abstract
Cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression have long been considered the two most important emotion regulation strategies. Increasingly, studies have found that mindfulness has a relationship with them. However, the magnitude and direction of the relationship between them have yet to reach a consistent conclusion. To this end, a three-level meta-analysis was used to explore the relationship between mindfulness, cognitive reappraisal, and expressive suppression. Thirty-six studies were included in the meta-analysis through a literature search, including 36 samples with 83 effect sizes and a total of 12,026 subjects. The three-level random effects model showed that mindfulness was positively correlated with cognitive reappraisal to a low to moderate degree but was not correlated with expressive suppression. The moderating effect analysis showed that the relationship between mindfulness and cognitive reappraisal was slightly closer in males than in females. The study found a relatively stable positive relationship between mindfulness and cognitive reappraisal, an adaptive emotion regulation mode, while the relationship with expressive suppression was insignificant. The finding supported the affect regulation training model and also shed light on potential areas for future studies.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being Diverse adult clinical populations | 2014 | Meta-analysis | n = 3,515 |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis Healthy subjects | 2009 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | |
| The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Nonclinical groups of adult meditators | 2012 | Meta-analysis | n = 163 |
| Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse Adults with recurrent depression in full or partial remission | 2016 | Meta-analysis of individual patient data from randomized controlled trials | n = 1,258 |
| Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials | 2011 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 9
- The effects of mindfulness-based techniques on self-rumination, cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression among patients with major depression: a nursing perspective. Journal of Research in Nursing August 1, 2024
- The effects of mindfulness‐based interventions on emotion regulation/dysregulation in people with mental health conditions: A systematic review and meta‐analysis JCPP Advances February 12, 2026
- The effect of sport-specific mindfulness on dispositional flow in collegiate athletes: the sequential mediating roles of cognitive reappraisal and sport confidence Frontiers in Psychology September 24, 2026
- Mechanism of the effectiveness of mindfulness on intrinsic capacity in elderly patients with cardiovascular diseases: a dual-pathway emotion regulation framework BMC Geriatrics February 26, 2026
- Effects of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention During Hemodialysis on Trait Mindfulness, Cognitive Reappraisal, Expressive Suppression, and Quality of Life: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial Journal of Holistic Nursing August 7, 2026
and 4 more in the library
Cites 13
- 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 Interventions Annual Review of Psychology September 30, 2016
- The State of Dispositional Mindfulness Research Mindfulness March 18, 2022
- Effectiveness of mindfulness meditation in intervention for anxiety: A meta-analysis Acta Psychologica Sinica 2018
and 8 more in the library