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The Effects of Mindfulness Retreats on the Psychological Health of Non-clinical Adults: a Meta-analysis

Publication ,  Journal Article
McClintock, AS; Rodriguez, MA; Zerubavel, N
Published in: Mindfulness
August 15, 2019

Objectives: Mindfulness retreats are typically marketed to healthy adult populations as a means for optimizing psychological health. We conducted a meta-analysis of the effects of mindfulness retreats on the psychological functioning of relatively healthy adults. Methods: A comprehensive literature search using PsychINFO, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar yielded 19 studies. Studies varied in design, sample characteristics, retreat intensity and duration, and psychological outcomes studied. Results: Many of the reviewed studies lacked methodological rigor. Overall effect sizes (Hedges’ g) for mindfulness retreats relative to control conditions were 0.78 (95% CI, 0.38, 1.18) for mindfulness and 0.37 (95% CI, 0.19, 0.55) for well-being outcomes. In pre-post-retreat analyses, effect sizes were 0.77 (95% CI, 0.61, 0.94) for mindfulness; 0.47 (95% CI, 0.30, 0.63) for well-being; − 0.48 (95% CI, − 0.79, − 0.16) for depression; − 0.67 (95% CI, − 1.03, − 0.31) for anxiety; and − 0.94 (95% CI, − 1.28, − 0.61) for stress outcomes. In an analysis from pre-retreat to follow-up, an effect size of 0.58 (95% CI, 0.39, 0.77) was found for mindfulness outcomes. Conclusions: These results suggest that mindfulness retreats are associated with improvements in mental health. Limitations, directions for future research, and implications for theory and practice are discussed.

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Published In

Mindfulness

DOI

EISSN

1868-8535

ISSN

1868-8527

Publication Date

August 15, 2019

Volume

10

Issue

8

Start / End Page

1443 / 1454

Related Subject Headings

  • 5205 Social and personality psychology
  • 5203 Clinical and health psychology
  • 5201 Applied and developmental psychology
  • 1701 Psychology
  • 1608 Sociology
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences
 

Citation

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ICMJE
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McClintock, A. S., Rodriguez, M. A., & Zerubavel, N. (2019). The Effects of Mindfulness Retreats on the Psychological Health of Non-clinical Adults: a Meta-analysis. Mindfulness, 10(8), 1443–1454. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-019-01123-9
McClintock, A. S., M. A. Rodriguez, and N. Zerubavel. “The Effects of Mindfulness Retreats on the Psychological Health of Non-clinical Adults: a Meta-analysis.” Mindfulness 10, no. 8 (August 15, 2019): 1443–54. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-019-01123-9.
McClintock AS, Rodriguez MA, Zerubavel N. The Effects of Mindfulness Retreats on the Psychological Health of Non-clinical Adults: a Meta-analysis. Mindfulness. 2019 Aug 15;10(8):1443–54.
McClintock, A. S., et al. “The Effects of Mindfulness Retreats on the Psychological Health of Non-clinical Adults: a Meta-analysis.” Mindfulness, vol. 10, no. 8, Aug. 2019, pp. 1443–54. Scopus, doi:10.1007/s12671-019-01123-9.
McClintock AS, Rodriguez MA, Zerubavel N. The Effects of Mindfulness Retreats on the Psychological Health of Non-clinical Adults: a Meta-analysis. Mindfulness. 2019 Aug 15;10(8):1443–1454.
Journal cover image

Published In

Mindfulness

DOI

EISSN

1868-8535

ISSN

1868-8527

Publication Date

August 15, 2019

Volume

10

Issue

8

Start / End Page

1443 / 1454

Related Subject Headings

  • 5205 Social and personality psychology
  • 5203 Clinical and health psychology
  • 5201 Applied and developmental psychology
  • 1701 Psychology
  • 1608 Sociology
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences