Target mechanisms of mindfulness-based programmes and practices: a scoping review

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Mental Health Research
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) show promise for mental health and well-being.
• The specific mechanisms driving these positive changes remain unclear.
• Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for optimizing interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the indirect effects (IEs) of MBPs on mental health and well-being through psychological mechanisms.
• To identify key psychological mechanisms that mediate the impact of mindfulness practices.
• To highlight knowledge gaps in current research.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) across five databases.
• Focus on studies evaluating indirect effects via psychological mediators.
• Analysis of IEs across various outcomes, populations, and interventions.

Main Results:

• 27 studies were included, with only four examining specific mindfulness practices.
• Significant indirect effects were found for mindfulness skills, decentering, and attitudes (e.g., self-compassion).
• These effects were observed across diverse outcomes, populations, and comparators.

Conclusions:

• Mindfulness skills, decentering, and attitudes of mindfulness are potential core targets for population-level mental health interventions.
• Significant knowledge gaps exist regarding other mechanisms (e.g., attention) and their impact on well-being.
• Future research requires high-quality RCTs with robust mediation analyses to clarify these relationships.