Growth mindsets and psychological distress: A meta-analysis.
Jeni L Burnette1, Laura E Knouse2, Dylan T Vavra2
1North Carolina State University, United States of America.
Clinical Psychology Review
|March 13, 2020
Summary
Growth mindsets, the belief that abilities can be developed, are linked to lower psychological distress and higher treatment value and active coping. These findings suggest mindsets play a role in psychological well-being and therapeutic outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Beliefs about the nature of human attributes, known as mindsets, can influence psychological health.
- A growth mindset, contrasting with a fixed mindset, posits that attributes are malleable and can be cultivated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To meta-analytically investigate the relationships between growth mindsets and psychological distress, treatment value, and active coping.
- To synthesize existing research on the impact of growth mindsets on mental health and therapeutic engagement.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search identified relevant studies published between 1988 and 2019.
- Meta-analysis was conducted using a random effects model on data from 72 independent samples (N=17,692).
- Effect sizes were calculated to quantify the strength and direction of the relationships.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant negative correlation was found between growth mindsets and psychological distress (r = -0.220).
- Growth mindsets showed a significant positive correlation with perceived treatment value (r = 0.137).
- A positive association was observed between growth mindsets and active coping strategies (r = 0.207).
Conclusions:
- Growth mindsets are associated with reduced psychological distress and enhanced treatment value and active coping.
- Mindset domain, assessment methods, and timing of assessments were identified as moderators of these effects.
- Findings support the integration of mindset interventions in clinical practice to improve psychological outcomes.
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