Mindfulness in treatment-seeking adults with comorbid obsessive-compulsive and major depressive disorders: Mediating effects of obsessive beliefs and mental well-being.

Mindfulness is linked to reduced symptom severity in adults with both obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and major depressive disorder (MDD), but through different pathways. In 60 treatment-seeking adults with comorbid OCD and MDD, mindfulness was significantly associated with lower OCD and MDD symptoms. For MDD, this effect was mediated by reductions in obsessive beliefs and improvements in mental well-being. However, these mediators did not significantly explain mindfulness's effect on OCD symptoms, suggesting that mindfulness works through distinct mechanisms for each condition and that tailored interventions may be needed.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Mindfulness-based interventions have shown promise in alleviating symptoms associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the specific mechanisms that drive these effects, mainly through obsessive beliefs and mental well-being, are seldom examined. To explore the mechanisms by which mindfulness influences symptom severity in adults with comorbid OCD and MDD, focusing on the mediating roles of obsessive beliefs and mental well-being. Primary data from 60 treatment-seeking adults with comorbid OCD and MDD were analyzed. Ordinary least-squares path analysis was employed to examine the mediating roles of obsessive beliefs and mental well-being in the relationship between mindfulness and the severity of OCD and MDD symptoms. Mindfulness was significantly associated with reduced symptom severity for both OCD (β = - 0.40, P < 0.001) and MDD (β = - 0.49, P < 0.001). For MDD, obsessive beliefs (β = - 0.20, P < 0.001) and mental well-being (β = - 0.33, P < 0.001) significantly mediated the relationship. In contrast, no significant indirect effects were observed for OCD symptoms through obsessive beliefs (β = - 0.10, P = 0.16) or mental well-being (β = - 0.08, P = 0.20). These findings highlight the distinct mechanisms of mindfulness in comorbid OCD and MDD, underscoring the importance of customized interventions based on specific pathways.