Psychological and neural mechanisms of trait mindfulness in reducing depression vulnerability.
Journal Article
Mindfulness-based interventions are effective for reducing depressive symptoms. However, the psychological and neural mechanisms are unclear. This study examined which facets of trait mindfulness offer protection against negative bias and rumination, which are key risk factors for depression. Nineteen male volunteers completed a 2-day functional magnetic resonance imaging study. One day utilized a stress-induction task and the other day utilized a mindful breathing task. An emotional inhibition task was used to measure neural and behavioral changes related to state negative bias, defined by poorer performance in inhibiting negative relative to neutral stimuli. Associations among trait mindfulness [measured by the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ)], trait rumination, and negative bias were examined. Non-reactivity scores on the FFMQ correlated negatively with rumination and negative bias following the stress induction. Non-reactivity was inversely correlated with insula activation during inhibition to negative stimuli after the mindful breathing task. Our results suggest non-reactivity to inner experience is the key facet of mindfulness that protects individuals from psychological risk for depression. Based on these results, mindfulness could reduce vulnerability to depression in at least two ways: (i) by buffering against trait rumination and negative bias and (ii) by reducing automatic emotional responding via the insula.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Paul, NA; Stanton, SJ; Greeson, JM; Smoski, MJ; Wang, L
Published Date
- January 2013
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 8 / 1
Start / End Page
- 56 - 64
PubMed ID
- 22717383
Pubmed Central ID
- 22717383
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1749-5024
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1093/scan/nss070
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- England