Premium
The role of acceptance in mood improvement during Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction
Author(s) -
Arlt Mutch Virginia K.,
Evans Susan,
Wyka Katarzyna
Publication year - 2021
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.23017
Subject(s) - mindfulness , psychology , mediation , acceptance and commitment therapy , clinical psychology , mood , stress reduction , mindfulness based stress reduction , self acceptance , perceived stress scale , psychotherapist , stress (linguistics) , psychiatry , intervention (counseling) , linguistics , philosophy , political science , law
Objective This study elucidates the association between acceptance, mindfulness, and psychological well‐being in a community‐based sample participating in a Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program. Method Participants ( n = 52) completed an 8‐week MBSR program at an academic medical center. Participants completed the Profile of Mood States (POMS), Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ‐II) at pre‐ and post‐MSBR programs. Results Serial mediation analysis suggested that changes in mindfulness preceded changes in acceptance, which improved well‐being (indirect effect = −6.57, 95% confidence interval [CI; −13.38, −1.57]). Participants with low pre‐MSBR acceptance significantly increased acceptance and well‐being ( p < .001). Moderated mediation models suggested that the pre‐MBSR acceptance level moderated the mindfulness‐acceptance and the acceptance‐well‐being link. Conclusions Acceptance may be related to mindfulness and pre‐MSBR acceptance may differentially affect outcomes. Limitations include a nonclinical sample and a lack of a control group. Future research may examine mindfulness “dose” and other mechanisms that facilitate improvements in outcomes.