The role of self-acceptance, negative mood regulation, and ruminative brooding on mindfulness and depressive symptoms: A longitudinal, randomized controlled trial of mindfulness meditation vs. relaxation training

Depression is a significant mental health risk in student populations. Mindfulness-based interventions have gained increasing support for improving mood and reducing depressive symptoms. This study of approximately 83% White college students proposed (1) a theoretical model of mindfulness meditation and depressive symptoms with self-acceptance, negative mood regulation, positive affect, and ruminative brooding as hypothesized mechanisms; and (2) a longitudinal randomized trial with an active control that dismantles the mindfulness meditation (MM) component of mindfulness-based interventions and compares it with relaxation training (RT). Findings from Study 1 (n = 514) using a Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), indicate that mindfulness, as measured by the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory (FMI), was statistically significantly related to self-acceptance, negative mood regulation, and positive affect while indirectly and inversely related to ruminative brooding and depressive symptoms as measured by the CES-D. Study 2 (n = 120) consisted of students screened for depressive symptoms who were randomly assigned to either an MM (n = 61) or an RT (n = 59) group and instructed to listen to a 20-minute guided CD three times a week for four weeks. Participants were assessed at four time points: at baseline, 5, 12, and 24 weeks. Using a Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM), results indicate that both groups improved significantly on depressive symptoms. There were statistically significant Time X Group differences for mindfulness and self-acceptance with the Time X Group differences in negative mood regulation approaching significance. Both groups experienced a significant decrease in ruminative brooding. Analyses of mediation indicate that self-acceptance, negative mood regulation and ruminative brooding mediate the effects of mindfulness on depressive symptoms, with negative mood regulation providing full mediation. This study provides a powerful examination of the effects of mindfulness on depressive symptoms. It is also of practical relevance in supporting the effectiveness of a stand-alone MM training in decreasing depressive symptoms. Findings from this study contribute to the ongoing dialogue on mindfulness meditation by proposing a model of mindfulness and depression and by isolating mindfulness as a key component of mindfulness-based interventions in precipitating improvement in psychological outcomes.

The effects of prevalence and script information on plausibility, belief, and memory of autobiographical events

Theoretical predictions of a recently proposed 'nested' model of factors involved in the creation of false memories for childhood events (general plausibility, personal plausibility, autobiographical belief and autobiographical memory) were tested. Prevalence and/or script-relevant information related to one of two unlikely childhood events was administered to a sample of 92 undergraduate participants. Predictions were (a) that script-knowledge would impact general, but not personal plausibility; and (b) that prevalence information would lead to changes in personal plausibility and to a lesser degree autobiographical belief. Memory ratings should not be affected by these manipulations. Predictions were upheld for plausibility, and were partially upheld for autobiographical belief in one of two target events. New post-manipulation support for the nested model was demonstrated. Implications for the nested model, and the creation of false autobiographical beliefs and memories for childhood events are discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd