Abstract
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) has been shown to be an effective treatment for mood and anxiety disorders. Little
is known, however, about the specific psychological skills that may improve with MBCT. The present study investigated the
relationship between history of MBCT and emotion regulation ability. Specifically, we examined cognitive reappraisal ability
(CRA) in a sample of individuals with a history of MBCT compared with two control groups: a group without a history of any
type of therapy and a group with a history of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Groups were matched on key variables including
age, sex, education, working memory, emotional reactivity, and life stress. CRA was measured using a standardized laboratory
challenge. Results indicated that participants with a history of MBCT demonstrated higher CRA than both the no-therapy control
group and the CBT control group. These results suggest that, by guiding people to accept thoughts and feelings without judgment
and to focus on the present moment, MBCT may lay the foundation for increased CRA.
is known, however, about the specific psychological skills that may improve with MBCT. The present study investigated the
relationship between history of MBCT and emotion regulation ability. Specifically, we examined cognitive reappraisal ability
(CRA) in a sample of individuals with a history of MBCT compared with two control groups: a group without a history of any
type of therapy and a group with a history of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Groups were matched on key variables including
age, sex, education, working memory, emotional reactivity, and life stress. CRA was measured using a standardized laboratory
challenge. Results indicated that participants with a history of MBCT demonstrated higher CRA than both the no-therapy control
group and the CBT control group. These results suggest that, by guiding people to accept thoughts and feelings without judgment
and to focus on the present moment, MBCT may lay the foundation for increased CRA.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category ORIGINAL PAPER
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s12671-012-0114-5
- Authors
- Allison S. Troy, Department of Psychology, Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, PA, USA
- Amanda J. Shallcross, Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA
- Tchiki S. Davis, Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA
- Iris B. Mauss, Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, 3210 Tolman Hall #1650, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Journal Mindfulness
- Online ISSN 1868-8535
- Print ISSN 1868-8527