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Mindfulness and modification therapy for behavioral dysregulation: results from a pilot study targeting alcohol use and aggression in women
Author(s) -
Wupperman Peggilee,
Marlatt G. Alan,
Cunningham Amy,
Bowen Sarah,
Berking Matthias,
MulvihillRivera Nicole,
Easton Caroline
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/jclp.20830
Subject(s) - mindfulness , aggression , psychology , clinical psychology , alcohol abuse , behavioral activation , psychotherapist , substance abuse , emotional dysregulation , psychiatry , cognition
Abstract Objectives: Increasing evidence suggests that deficits in mindfulness (awareness, attentiveness, and acceptance of the present moment) play a role in a range of disorders involving behavioral dysregulation. This paper adds to that literature by describing a transdiagnostic psychotherapy (Mindfulness & Modification Therapy; MMT) developed to target behavioral dysregulation. Design: An open‐treatment pilot‐trial investigated the feasibility, acceptability, and pre‐post effects of MMT targeting women ( N = 14) court‐referred for alcohol abuse/dependence and aggression. Results: Pre‐post comparisons revealed significant decreases in alcohol use, drug use, and aggression. In addition, the retention rate was 93%. Conclusion: Preliminary evidence suggests that MMT is a feasible and acceptable treatment that decreases dysregulated behaviors such as substance use and aggression, while also potentially increasing retention. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 67:1–17, 2011.