Weekly change in mindfulness and perceived stress in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program
Ruth A Baer1, James Carmody, Matthew Hunsinger
1University of Kentucky, Psychology, 115 Kastle Hall, Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0044, USA. rbaer@email.uky.edu
Journal of Clinical Psychology
|May 25, 2012
Summary
Mindfulness training significantly improved mindfulness skills by week two and reduced perceived stress by week four. Early improvements in mindfulness predicted later stress reduction in MBSR participants.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Mindfulness Studies
- Health Psychology
Background:
- Chronic illness and pain often lead to significant stress.
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a common intervention for stress management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine weekly changes in mindfulness and perceived stress during an 8-week MBSR course.
- To determine if improvements in mindfulness skills precede reductions in perceived stress.
Main Methods:
- 87 adults with high stress levels participated in an 8-week MBSR program.
- Weekly self-report assessments measured mindfulness skills and perceived stress.
- Statistical analysis examined the timing and relationship between changes in mindfulness and stress.
Main Results:
- Mindfulness skills significantly increased by week two of the MBSR course.
- Perceived stress significantly decreased starting from week four.
- The degree of mindfulness improvement in the first three weeks predicted subsequent stress reduction.
Conclusions:
- Improvements in mindfulness skills appear to precede reductions in perceived stress in MBSR.
- Findings support the hypothesis that enhanced mindfulness may mediate the stress-reducing effects of MBSR.
- This provides evidence for the mechanism of action in mindfulness-based interventions.
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