BMC psychology
July 29, 2022
Jacob T Miller, Paul Verhaeghen
46 citations
Mindfulness—understood as a combination of self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-transcendence—is linked to compassion, which itself has distinct affective, cognitive, and motivational components. In a survey of 407 undergraduates, reflective awareness predicted multiple aspects of compassion beyond other mindfulness facets and moral foundations. The moral foundation of individualizing (care and fairness) was associated with all compassion aspects, while binding (loyalty, authority, purity) only related to recognizing suffering and willingness to act. Awareness of privilege was positively linked to mindfulness through individualizing and recognition of common humanity, and directly negatively related to binding. Mindfulness and compassion together enhance ethical sensitivities, suggesting mindfulness interventions may foster compassion and ethical awareness.
The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences
March 12, 2025
Paul Verhaeghen, Shelley N Aikman, Grazia Mirabito
9 citations
Mindfulness interventions have modest beneficial effects on the mental health and well-being of older adults. A meta-analysis of 46 studies with samples averaging age 60 or older found an overall effect size of Hedges' g = 0.25. The type of intervention mattered: MBSR showed a non-significant effect (g = 0.12), while MBCT (g = 0.33) and other protocols (g = 0.36) were significant. Significant benefits appeared for mental functioning (g = 0.59), sleep (g = 0.39), depression (g = 0.35), anxiety (g = 0.32), mindfulness (g = 0.23), stress (g = 0.22), and other outcomes (g = 0.24). Targeted outcomes—those matched to the population's symptoms—yielded stronger effects (g = 0.30). The literature is limited by reliance on modified interventions not yet evaluated for effectiveness.
Psychological reports
November 16, 2023
Grazia Mirabito, Paul Verhaeghen
8 citations
A four-week randomized controlled mindfulness intervention with college students (55 in the intervention group, 57 in the control group; mean age 21.4) found that improvements in daily state mindfulness predicted reductions in intrusive thinking, which in turn predicted lower depression and higher well-being. The intervention improved day-to-day mindfulness, cognitive interference, and sleep, but did not significantly affect physical activity, depression, or well-being. The beneficial effects of state mindfulness were observable over a lag of four days, supporting the idea that mindfulness is a key ingredient in mindfulness interventions. Physical activity, sleep, and practice quality did not mediate any effects. Maintaining high levels of mindfulness may directly benefit mental health.
Cogent Mental Health
September 9, 2024
Mackenzie E. Pierce, Grazia Mirabito, Paul Verhaeghen
6 citations
Over a two-week period, 57 college students who used the Headspace app reported daily on their app use, mindfulness, depression, anxiety, and stress. App use averaged 86 minutes total. Day-to-day anxiety and stress decreased, while depression and mindfulness remained stable. Statistical models showed that time spent on the app increased momentary mindfulness, which in turn reduced stress, anxiety, and depression. A lagged effect emerged for anxiety: app use on one day boosted mindfulness that day, which lowered anxiety the next day. The results suggest that state mindfulness is a key mechanism through which the app improves mental health.