Abstract
This study explored the immediate effects of a course of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for chronically depressed
participants with a history of suicidality on the specificity of important goals for the future. Participants were randomly
allocated to immediate treatment with MBCT or to a waitlist condition and life goals were assessed both before and after the
treatment or waiting period. Results showed that participants receiving MBCT reported significantly more specific goals post-treatment
whereas those allocated to the waitlist condition showed no significant change. Similarly, participants allocated to MBCT
regarded themselves as significantly more likely to achieve their important goals post-treatment, whilst again there was no
significant change in the waitlist group. Increases in goal specificity were associated with parallel increases in autobiographical
memory specificity whereas increases in goal likelihood were associated with reductions in depressed mood. These results suggest
that MBCT may enable participants to clarify their important goals and in doing so increase their confidence in their capacity
to move in valued life directions.
participants with a history of suicidality on the specificity of important goals for the future. Participants were randomly
allocated to immediate treatment with MBCT or to a waitlist condition and life goals were assessed both before and after the
treatment or waiting period. Results showed that participants receiving MBCT reported significantly more specific goals post-treatment
whereas those allocated to the waitlist condition showed no significant change. Similarly, participants allocated to MBCT
regarded themselves as significantly more likely to achieve their important goals post-treatment, whilst again there was no
significant change in the waitlist group. Increases in goal specificity were associated with parallel increases in autobiographical
memory specificity whereas increases in goal likelihood were associated with reductions in depressed mood. These results suggest
that MBCT may enable participants to clarify their important goals and in doing so increase their confidence in their capacity
to move in valued life directions.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s10608-010-9349-4
- Authors
- Catherine Crane, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, OX3 7JX UK
- Rosie Winder, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Emily Hargus, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, OX3 7JX UK
- Myanthi Amarasinghe, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Thorsten Barnhofer, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, OX3 7JX UK
- Journal Cognitive Therapy and Research
- Online ISSN 1573-2819
- Print ISSN 0147-5916