Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Do Mindfulness-Based Interventions Have Effects Only on Negative Aspects of Psychological Functioning? A Randomized Controlled Trial

  • ORIGINAL PAPER
  • Published:
Mindfulness Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

The benefits of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for stress, depression, and anxiety have been shown in various studies. However, only a few studies have investigated the effects of MBI on positive psychological functioning, and even fewer studies have simultaneously studied positively and negatively valenced variables. Nevertheless, the evaluation of both seems indispensable for understanding mindfulness and its effects on psychological health. Therefore, this randomized controlled trial compared the effects of a home-based, 6-week MBI on positive and negative aspects of three psychological variables.

Methods

Eighty-seven participants were randomly assigned to an MBI group (n = 40) or a wait-list control group (n = 47). All participants were evaluated in terms of their positive/negative automatic thoughts, self-compassion levels, and use of cognitive emotion regulation strategies before and after the 6-week period. General linear models were used to compare outcomes on positive and negative scales through likelihood ratio tests.

Results

The MBI group benefited significantly from the intervention. Larger effects of the MBI on positive automatic thoughts (X2(1) = 9.75, p = .001), positive self-compassion (X2(1) = 5.63, p = .02), and “more adaptive” cognitive emotion regulation strategies (X2(1) = 8.99, p = .003) than on their negative counterparts were observed. The effects were moderated by participants’ initial scores for these variables.

Conclusions

The evaluation of MBI outcomes should consistently include positive and negative aspects of psychological health. In addition, the benefits of MBIs depend on participants’ initial scores for the evaluated variables. Therefore, individual differences before the intervention must be considered in evaluations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

The dataset generated and analyzed during the current study is available from the corresponding author upon request.

References

  • Aldao, A., Nolen-Hoeksema, S., & Schweizer, S. (2010). Emotion-regulation strategies across psychopathology: A meta-analytic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(2), 217–237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2009.11.004

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Antoine, P., Andreotti, E., Congard, A., Dauvier, B., Illy, J., & Poinsot, R. (2018a). A mindfulness-based intervention: Differential effects on affective and processual evolution. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 10(3). https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12137ï

  • Antoine, P., Dauvier, B., Andreotti, E., & Congard, A. (2018b). Individual differences in the effects of a positive psychology intervention: Applied psychology. Personality and Individual Differences, 122, 140–147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2017.10.024

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baer, R. A. (2003). Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 10(2), 125–143. https://doi.org/10.1093/clipsy/bpg015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bishop, S. R., Lau, M., Shapiro, S., Carlson, L., Anderson, N. D., Carmody, J., Segal, Z. V., Abbey, S., Speca, M., Velting, D., & Devins, G. (2004). Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 11(3), 230–241. https://doi.org/10.1093/clipsy/bph077

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouvard, M., Charles, S., Mollard, E., Guérin, J., Aimard, G., & Cottraux, J. (1992). Etude de validation et analyse factorielle de la version française du questionnaire des pensées automatiques. Journal De Thérapie Comportementale Et Cognitive, 2, 25–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brenner, R. E., Heath, P. J., Vogel, D. L., & Crede, M. (2017). Two is more valid than one: Examining the factor structure of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS). Article in Journal of Counseling Psychology, 64(6), 696–707. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000211.supp

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brockman, R., Ciarrochi, J., Parker, P., & Kashdan, T. (2017). Emotion regulation strategies in daily life: Mindfulness, cognitive reappraisal and emotion suppression. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 46(2), 91–113. https://doi.org/10.1080/16506073.2016.1218926

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cavanagh, K., Strauss, C., Cicconi, F., Griffiths, N., Wyper, A., & Jones, F. (2013). A randomised controlled trial of a brief online mindfulness-based intervention. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 51(9), 573–578. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2013.06.003

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Congard, A., Le Vigouroux, S., Andreotti, E., Dauvier, B., Illy, J., Poinsot, R., & Antoine, P. (2019). Time evolution of affective processes in a mindfulness-based intervention. Current Psychology, 41, 126–134. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-019-00548-8

  • De Vibe, M., Solhaug, I., Rosenvinge, J. H., Tyssen, R., Hanley, A., & Garland, E. (2018). Six-year positive effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on mindfulness, coping and well-being in medical and psychology students; Results from a randomized controlled trial. PLoS ONE, 13(4), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0196053

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E. (1984). Subjective well-Being. Psychological Bulletin, 95(3), 542–575.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E., Wirtz, D., Biswas-Diener, R., Tov, W., Kim-Prieto, C., Choi, D., & Oishi, S. (2009). New measures of well-being. In E. Diener (Ed.), Assessing well-being: The collected works of Ed Diener (pp. 247–266). Springer.

  • Forest, M. (2003). Prédicion du bien-être psychologique à partir de l’auto-communication et des stratégies d’adaptation chez de jeunes adultes (Unpublished master’s thesis). Université du Québec.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frederickson, B. L., & Losada, M. F. (2005). Positive affect and the complex dynamics of human flourishing. American Psychologist, 60(7), 678–686. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.60.7.678.Positive

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fredrickson, B. L., Cohn, M. A., Coffey, K. A., Pek, J., & Finkel, S. M. (2008). Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 95(5), 1045–1062. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0013262

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Frewen, P. A., Evans, E. M., Maraj, N., Dozois, D. J. A., & Partridge, K. (2008). Letting go: Mindfulness and negative automatic thinking. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 32(6), 758–774. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-007-9142-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • EL Garland N Geschwind F Peeters M Wichers 2015 Mindfulness training promotes upward spirals of positive affect and cognition: Multilevel and autoregressive latent trajectory modeling analyses Frontiers in Psychology 6 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00015

  • Garnefski, N., Kraaij, V., & Spinhoven, P. (2001). Negative life events, cognitive emotion regulation and emotional problems. Personality and Individual Differences, 30, 1311–1327. www.elsevier.com/locate/paid

  • Goyal, M., Singh, S., Sibinga, E. M. S., Gould, N. F., Rowland-Seymour, A., Sharma, R., Berger, Z., Sleicher, D., Maron, D. D., Shihab, H. M., Ranasinghe, P. D., Linn, S., Saha, S., Bass, E. B., & Haythornthwaite, J. A. (2014). Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Internal Medicine, 174(3), 357–368. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.13018

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Halamová, J., Jurková, V., Kanovský, M., & Kupeli, N. (2018). Effect of a short-term online version of a mindfulness-based intervention on self-criticism and self-compassion in a nonclinical sample. Studia Psychologica, 60(4), 259–273. https://doi.org/10.21909/sp.2018.04.766

  • Hanley, A. W., Vibe, M. D., Solhaug, I., Farb, N., Goldin, P. R., Gross, J. J., & Garland, E. L. (2021). Modeling the mindfulness-to-meaning theory’s mindful reappraisal hypothesis: Replication with longitudinal data from a randomized controlled study. Stress and Health, 37(4), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.3035

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hollon, S. D., & Kendall, P. C. (1980). Cognitive self-statements in depression: Development of an automatic thoughts questionnaire. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 4(4), 383–395. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01178214

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huck, S. W., & Melean, R. A. (1975). Using a repeated measures ANOVA to analyze the data from a pretest-posttest design: A potentially confusing task. Psychological Bulletin, 82(4), 511–518.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ingram, R. E., & Wisnicki, K. S. (1988). Assessment of positive automatic cognition. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 56(6), 898–902. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.56.6.898

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full catastrophe living: Using the wisdom of your body and mind to face stress, pain, and illness. Delacorte Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kabat-Zinn, J. (1996). Mindfulness meditation. In Y. Haruki, Y. Ishii, & M. Suzuki (Eds.), Comparative and psychological study on meditation (pp. 161–169). Eburon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khoury, B., Sharma, M., Rush, S. E., & Fournier, C. (2015). Mindfulness-based stress reduction for healthy individuals: A meta-analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 78(6), 519–528. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2015.03.009

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kotsou, I., & Leys, C. (2016). Self-Compassion Scale (SCS): Psychometric properties of the French translation and its relations with psychological well-being, affect and depression. PLoS ONE, 11(4). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0152880

  • Lindsay, E. K., Chin, B., Greco, C. M., Young, S., Brown, K. W., Wright, A. G. C., Smyth, J. M., Burkett, D., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). How mindfulness training promotes positive emotions: Dismantling acceptance skills training in two randomized controlled trials. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 115(6), 944–973. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspa0000134

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Mehdipour, F., Rafiepoor, A., & Haji Alizadeh, K. (2017). The effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive group therapy in reducing negative automatic thoughts and dysfunctional attitudes in cancer patients. Zahedan Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 19(6). https://doi.org/10.5812/zjrms.10609

  • Neff, K. D. (2003). The development and validation of a scale to measure self-compassion. Self and Identity, 2, 223–250. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860390209035

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nyklíček, I., & Kuijpers, K. F. (2008). Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention on psychological well-being and quality of life: Is increased mindfulness indeed the mechanism? Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 35(3), 331–340. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-008-9030-2

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Parsons, C. E., Crane, C., Parsons, L. J., Fjorback, L. O., & Kuyken, W. (2017). Home practice in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of participants’ mindfulness practice and its association with outcomes. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 95, 29–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2017.05.004

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Pavani, J. B., Le Vigouroux, S., Kop, J. L., Congard, A., & Dauvier, B. (2016). Affect and affect regulation strategies reciprocally influence each other in daily life: The case of positive reappraisal, problem-focused coping, appreciation and rumination. Journal of Happiness Studies, 17(5), 2077–2095. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-015-9686-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Podsakoff, P. M., MacKenzie, S. B., & Podsakoff, N. P. (2012). Sources of method bias in social science research and recommendations on how to control it. Annual Review of Psychology, 63, 539–569. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-120710-100452

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Raab, K., Sogge, K., Parker, N., & Flament, M. F. (2015). Mindfulness-based stress reduction and self-compassion among mental healthcare professionals: A pilot study. Mental Health, Religion and Culture, 18(6), 503–512. https://doi.org/10.1080/13674676.2015.1081588

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57(6), 1069–1081.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sakai, A., Terao, T., Kawano, N., Akase, M., Hatano, K., Shirahama, M., Hirakawa, H., Kohno, K., Inoue, A., & Ishii, N. (2019). Existential and mindfulness–based intervention to increase self-compassion in apparently healthy subjects (the EXMIND Study): A randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Psychiatry 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00538

  • Sevel, L. S., Finn, M. T. M., Smith, R. M., Ryden, A. M., & McKernan, L. C. (2019). Self-compassion in mindfulness-based stress reduction: An examination of prediction and mediation of intervention effects. Stress and Health, 36(1), 88–96. https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.2917

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shankland, R., & André, C. (2014). Mindfulness and positive psychology: Antagonistic or complementary? Revue Québecoise De Psychologie, 35(2), 1–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, S. L., Brown, K. W., Thoresen, C., & Plante, T. G. (2011). The moderation of mindfulness-based stress reduction effects by trait mindfulness: Results from a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 67(3), 267–277. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.20761

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spijkerman, M. P. J., Pots, W. T. M., & Bohlmeijer, E. T. (2016). Effectiveness of online mindfulness-based interventions in improving mental health: A review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Clinical Psychology Review, 45, 102–114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2016.03.009

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tavakoli, Z., & Kazemi-Zahrani, H. (2018). The effectiveness of mindfulness based stress reduction intervention on emotion regulation problems and blood sugar control in patients with diabetes type II. Global Journal of Health Science, 10(3), 111–120. https://doi.org/10.5539/gjhs.v10n3p111

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Wietmarschen, H., Tjaden, B., van Vliet, M., Battjes-Fries, M., & Jong, M. (2018). Effects of mindfulness training on perceived stress, self-compassion, and self-reflection of primary care physicians: A mixed-methods study. BJGP Open, 2(4). https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgpopen18x101621

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychological Sciences Research Institute, IPSY, UCLouvain, B-1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium

    Mareike Kaemmerer

  2. Laboratoire de Psychologie Des Pays de La Loire, LPPL, UR 4638, Nantes Université, Univ Angers, F-44000, Nantes, France

    Anne Congard

  3. UNIV. NIMES, APSY-V, Nîmes Cedex 1, F-30021, France

    Sarah Le Vigouroux

  4. Center for Research on the Psychology of Cognition, Language and Emotion, PsyCLE, EA 3273, University Aix-Marseille, F-13624, Aix-en-Provence, France

    Bruno Dauvier

  5. Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives, SCALab, UMR 9193, University of Lille, CNRS, F-59000, Lille, France

    Mareike Kaemmerer, Eva Andreotti & Pascal Antoine

Authors
  1. Mareike Kaemmerer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Anne Congard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sarah Le Vigouroux
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Bruno Dauvier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Eva Andreotti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Pascal Antoine
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

MK: wrote the paper and carried out the data analyses. AC: designed the study and collaborated with writing the study. SLV: collaborated with the design of the study and the data collection. BD: collaborated with the data analyses and reviewed the final manuscript. EA: designed the study, recruited participants, and collaborated in the data collection. PA: designed the study and collaborated with writing the study. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript for submission.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mareike Kaemmerer.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Ethics Approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the ethical research committee of Lille University and the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Consent to Participate

All participants involved in this study gave their informed consent prior to inclusion in the study.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

The author is now at Psychological Sciences Research Institute, IPSY, UCLouvain, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kaemmerer, M., Congard, A., Le Vigouroux, S. et al. Do Mindfulness-Based Interventions Have Effects Only on Negative Aspects of Psychological Functioning? A Randomized Controlled Trial. Mindfulness 13, 1158–1172 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-022-01849-z

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-022-01849-z

Keyword

Search

Navigation