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Cited by 178Mindfulness and Compassion InterventionsPsychological Well-being and Life SatisfactionReligion, Spirituality, and Psychology

Five Facets of Mindfulness and Psychological Health: Evaluating a Psychological Model of the Mechanisms of Mindfulness

Open access
Brown, David B., Bravo, Adrian J., Roos, Corey R., Pearson, Matthew R.·2015·Mindfulness
DOI 10.1007/s12671-014-0349-4PMC PMC4617366
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Abstract

There has been an increasing focus on determining the psychological mechanisms underlying the broad effects of mindfulness on psychological health. Mindfulness has been posited to be related to the construct of reperceiving or decentering, defined as a shift in perspective associated with decreased attachment to one's thoughts and emotions. Decentering is proposed to be a meta-mechanism that mobilizes four psychological mechanisms (cognitive flexibility, values clarification, self-regulation, and exposure), which in turn are associated with positive health outcomes. Despite preliminary support for this model, extant studies testing this model have not examined distinct facets of mindfulness. The present study used a multidimensional measure of mindfulness to examine whether this model could account for the associations between ive facets of mindfulness and psychological symptoms (depressive symptoms, stress, anxiety symptoms, alcohol-related problems) in a sample of college students (N = 944). Our findings partially support this model. We found significant double-mediated associations in the expected directions for all outcomes (stress, anxiety symptoms, and depressive symptoms) except alcohol-related problems, and for each of the facets of mindfulness except observing. However, decentering and the specific mechanisms did not fully mediate the associations among mindfulness facets and psychological health outcomes. Experimental and ecological momentary assessment designs are needed to understand the psychological processes that account for the beneficial effects of mindfulness.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1007/s12671-014-0349-4

Cites

Statistics

Claims the paper makes

0 of 34 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    The associations between mindfulness facets and psychological health outcomes were not fully mediated by decentering and the specific mechanisms.

    “However, decentering and the specific mechanisms did not fully mediate the associations among mindfulness facets and psychological health outcomes.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The study found significant double-mediated associations in the expected directions for each mindfulness facet except observing.

    “and for each of the facets of mindfulness except observing.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Non-reactivity had a non-significant direct association with alcohol-related problems (β = −.05).

    “alcohol-related problems (β = −.05)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Significant double-mediated associations were found for all outcomes except alcohol-related problems.

    “There were significant double-mediated associations for all outcomes except alcohol-related problems, and for each of the facets of mindfulness except observing.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The single measure chosen for each psychological construct adequately captures that construct.
  • Findingown data

    Environmental mastery, purpose in life, and self-regulation were highly correlated with each other (rs > .700).

    “Three of the psychological mechanism variables (environmental mastery, purpose in life and self-regulation) were all highly correlated with each other (rs > .700)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 12
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 3
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 14

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The study found significant double-mediated associations in the expected directions for stress, anxiety symptoms, and depressive symptoms, but not for alcohol-related problems.

    “We found significant double-mediated associations in the expected directions for all outcomes (stress, anxiety symptoms, and depressive symptoms) except alcohol-related problems”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Four of the five mindfulness facets predicted higher decentering, which in turn related to other proximal mechanisms, which in turn related to psychological health outcomes.

    “Consistent with Shapiro et al.’s theoretical model, four of the five mindfulness facets were predictive of having less attachment to one’s experiences (i.e., higher reperceiving or decentering), which in turn was related to other putatively more proximal mechanisms, which were in turn related to psychological health outcomes.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The higher-order latent variable labeled 'mechanisms' represents a meaningful psychological construct, despite being defined by three conceptually distinct constructs.
    • Rests on an assumption: The single measure chosen for each psychological construct adequately captures that construct.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    Decentering was modestly associated with lower distress intolerance (β = −.16).

    “lower levels of distress intolerance (β = −.16)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    The higher-order mechanisms latent variable significantly mediated the associations between two mindfulness facets (acting with awareness, describing) and stress.

    “as well two facets (acting with awareness, describing) and stress.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The higher-order latent variable labeled 'mechanisms' represents a meaningful psychological construct, despite being defined by three conceptually distinct constructs.
    • Rests on an assumption: The single measure chosen for each psychological construct adequately captures that construct.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    The higher-order mechanisms latent variable significantly mediated the associations between four mindfulness facets (observing, acting with awareness, describing, non-judging) and depressive symptoms.

    “Mechanisms significantly mediated the associations between four mindfulness facets (observing, acting with awareness, describing, and non-judging) and depressive symptoms”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The higher-order latent variable labeled 'mechanisms' represents a meaningful psychological construct, despite being defined by three conceptually distinct constructs.
    • Rests on an assumption: The single measure chosen for each psychological construct adequately captures that construct.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Non-judging of inner experience was most substantially related to exposure, which was substantially related to stress and anxiety symptoms.

    “For example, non-judging of inner experience was most substantially related to exposure, which was substantially related to stress and anxiety symptoms.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The single measure chosen for each psychological construct adequately captures that construct.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    In community adults, changes in mindfulness and decentering after an 8-week MBSR course were strongly collinear.

    “They found that changes in mindfulness (assessed as a total score of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, FFMQ; Baer et al., 2006) and decentering (assessed with the Experiences Questionnaire; Fresco et al., 2007) were strongly collinear so they created a mindfulness/decentering composite change score from pre- to post-MBSR course.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Carmody, Baer, Lykins, and Olendzki (2009) source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    The four mechanisms-values clarification, exposure, self-regulation, and cognitive/behavioral flexibility-are considered closer antecedents of better psychological functioning than decentering.

    “Shapiro et al. specifically posit that reperceiving leads to changes in at least four additional psychological mechanisms that are putatively more proximal antecedents to improved psychological functioning: values clarification, exposure, self-regulation, and cognitive/behavioral flexibility.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Shapiro et al.

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    Full information maximum likelihood was used for missing data because it is more efficient and less biased than other methods.

    “missing data were handled using full information maximum likelihood, which is more efficient and has less bias than alternative procedures (Enders, 2001; Enders & Bandalos, 2001).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Enders, 2001

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    • cites Enders & Bandalos, 2001 source

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Decentering/reperceiving acts as a meta-mechanism that activates values clarification, exposure, self-regulation, and cognitive/behavioral flexibility.

    “reperceiving, which is proposed to be a meta-mechanism, or a mechanism that mobilizes other mechanisms associated with the health-promoting effects of mindfulness.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Shapiro and colleagues (2006, 2009)

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In community adults, purpose in life and environmental mastery significantly mediated the link between change in mindfulness/decentering and psychological distress, while self-regulation and experiential avoidance did not.

    “Importantly, purpose in life (values clarification) and environmental mastery (cognitive/behavioral flexibility) were found to significantly mediate the associations between change in mindfulness/decentering and psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress), whereas self-regulation and experiential avoidance (exposure) did not.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Carmody et al., 2009 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Higher trait mindfulness is associated with lower depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, stress, and alcohol-related outcomes.

    “trait mindfulness has been shown to be related to decreased depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, stress, and alcohol-related outcomes (Bowlin & Baer, 2012; Cash & Whittingham, 2010; Lyvers, Makin, Toms, Thorberg, & Samios, 2013; Ostafin, Brooks, & Laitem, 2013; Pearson, Brown, Bravo, & Witkiewitz, 2014; Weinstein, Brown, & Ryan, 2009).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Bowlin & Baer, 2012 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Cash & Whittingham, 2010 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Lyvers, Makin, Toms, Thorberg, & Samios, 2013

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Among college students, the link between trait mindfulness and psychological health outcomes was partially mediated by decentering alone or by decentering plus purpose in life.

    “They found that decentering alone (in the case of anxiety symptoms) or both decentering and purpose in life (in the case of depressive symptoms and alcohol-related problems) were found to partially mediate the relationship between trait mindfulness and these psychological health outcomes.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Pearson et al. (2014)

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    Bias-corrected bootstrapped estimates with 10,000 samples were used; this approach gives a powerful mediation test and tolerates small normality departures.

    “We examined the total, direct, and indirect effects of each predictor variable on outcomes using bias-corrected bootstrapped estimates (Efron & Tibshirani, 1993) based on 10,000 bootstrapped samples, which provides a powerful test of mediation (Fritz & MacKinnon, 2007) and is robust to small departures from normality (Erceg-Hurn & Mirosevich, 2008).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Efron & Tibshirani, 1993

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Fritz & MacKinnon, 2007 source

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    • cites Erceg-Hurn & Mirosevich, 2008 source

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Shapiro et al.'s model holds that mindfulness is chiefly linked to reperceiving/decentering.

    “According to this model, mindfulness is primarily related to the construct of reperceiving”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Shapiro and colleagues (2006, 2009)

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    The study chose a measure of distress intolerance to capture the construct of exposure, whereas Carmody et al. (2009) used a measure of experiential avoidance.

    “For example, we chose a measure of distress intolerance to capture the construct of exposure, whereas Carmody et al. (2009) used a measure of experiential avoidance.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Carmody et al. (2009) source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductnone given

    The study did not have hypotheses regarding which specific facets of mindfulness would be mediated by which specific mechanisms.

    “Fourth, although we used Shapiro et al.’s (2006) model as the basis of examining the mediated paths between facets of mindfulness and psychological health outcomes, we did not have hypotheses regarding which specific facets of mindfulness would be mediated by which specific mechanisms.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Previous research found the observing facet to be negatively (but non-significantly) correlated with non-judging of inner experience in samples without meditation experience.

    “Previous research has found the observing facet to be negatively (but non-significantly) correlated with non-judging of inner experience in samples without meditation experience (Baer et al., 2006)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Baer et al., 2006 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The study selected a single measure meant to capture a primary aspect of each of the psychological constructs proposed in the model.

    “Second, we selected a single measure meant to capture a primary aspect of each of the psychological constructs proposed in the model. There are numerous alternative operationalizations.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Previous research found the observing facet to be positively related to psychological symptoms.

    “and positively related to psychological symptoms (e.g., Baer et al., 2006; Leigh, Bowen, & Marlatt, 2005; Leigh & Neighbors, 2009).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Baer et al., 2006 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Leigh, Bowen, & Marlatt, 2005 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Leigh & Neighbors, 2009 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Shapiro et al.'s model is a model of the possible mechanisms of the health-promoting effects of mindfulness, not the model, and was put forth tentatively.

    “As acknowledged by Shapiro et al. (2006, 2009), their model is a model of the possible mechanisms of the heath-promoting effects of mindfulness, not the model, and thus was put forth tentatively.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Shapiro et al. (2006, 2009)

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Higher observing may be naturally associated with higher judgment until mindfulness practice (e.g., mindfulness meditation) is used to cultivate a non-judgmental attitude that co-occurs with increased observing.

    “Specifically, it appears that higher observing may be naturally associated with higher judgment until mindfulness practice (e.g., mindfulness meditation) is used to cultivate a non-judgmental attitude that co-occurs with increased observing.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationown data

    The model needs to be expanded.

    “However, our results suggest that the model needs to be expanded.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The single measure chosen for each psychological construct adequately captures that construct.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    The model has predictive utility and is a useful starting point in testing psychological mechanisms of the beneficial effects of mindfulness.

    “Although we found mixed support for this model, we found the model to have predictive utility and it is a useful starting point in the testing of psychological mechanisms of the beneficial effects of mindfulness.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The higher-order latent variable labeled 'mechanisms' represents a meaningful psychological construct, despite being defined by three conceptually distinct constructs.
    • Rests on an assumption: The single measure chosen for each psychological construct adequately captures that construct.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductnone given

    Numerous alternative models could have provided equivalent or better fit to the data.

    “Relatedly, numerous alternative models could have provided equivalent or better fit to the data.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
25 of 25

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Depressive symptoms, stress, anxiety symptoms, and alcohol-related problems are particularly common among college students.

    “psychological symptoms that are particularly prevalent among college students (depressive symptoms, stress, anxiety symptoms, and alcohol-related problems).”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The higher-order latent variable labeled 'mechanisms' represents a meaningful psychological construct, despite being defined by three conceptually distinct constructs.

    “it is not clear what term best captures a psychological construct defined by these three conceptually distinct constructs.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The single measure chosen for each psychological construct adequately captures that construct.

    “we selected a single measure meant to capture a primary aspect of each of the psychological constructs proposed in the model. There are numerous alternative operationalizations.”
3 of 3

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • In non-health-anxious samples, higher mindfulness is associated with greater distress tolerance, lower anxiety sensitivity, and greater capacity for tolerating uncertainty.

    “cross-sectional work in non-health anxious samples indicates that higher levels of mindfulness are associated with greater distress tolerance, lower anxiety sensitivity, and a greater capacity for tolerating uncertainty (Brown, Bravo, Roos, & Pearson, 2015; Feldman, Dunn, Stemke, Bell, & Greeson, 2014; Kraemer, O’Bryan, & McLeish, 2016; Luberto, McLeish, Robertson, Avallone, Kraemer, & Jeffries, 2”

    From An examination of mindfulness skills in terms of affect tolerance among individuals with elevated levels of health anxiety. (2018) · cites this paper as Brown et al., 2015

    The Results (Direct effects; page unavailable) associate several mindfulness facets with lower distress intolerance, supporting the greater-distress-tolerance part of the claim. The Methods (Measures; page unavailable) assess anxiety symptoms as worry, not anxiety sensitivity, and the passages do not report a measure or finding for tolerance of uncertainty. The Participants section describes a college-student sample, but does not establish participants’ health-anxiety status. (LLM, conf=0.89)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Self-reported acceptance alone is associated with lower depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms.

    “Certainly, studies show that self-reported acceptance alone is associated with lower depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms (Barnes & Lynn, 2010; Brown et al., 2015; Cash & Whittingham, 2010; Desrosiers et al., 2013; Hamill et al., 2015);”

    From Mechanisms of mindfulness training: Monitor and Acceptance Theory (MAT (2017) · cites this paper as Brown et al., 2015

Statistics recomputed

Every reported test result, recomputed from its test statistic and degrees of freedom. A result shows as not adding up only once an independent check has confirmed it.

  • Consistentχ²(1041) = 2882.18reported p < .001 · recomputed p < .001

    “χ2(1041) = 2882.18, p < .001”

1 of 1

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Bootstrap reference has conflicting years

    Minor

    The methods cite Efron and Tibshirani as a 1993 source, while the corresponding reference-list entry gives 1994.

1 of 1

The citation lists haven’t been fetched yet

References 55 · Cited by 178

Research works printed but not linked: 7

  1. Eaton, W. W., Muntaner, C., Smith, C., Tien, A., & Ybarra, M. (2004). Center for epidemiologic studies depression scale: review and revision (CESD and CESD-R). In M. E. Maruish (Ed.), The use of psychological testing for treatment planning and outcomes assessment (3rd ed., pp. 363–377). Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum.
  2. Efron, B., & Tibshirani, R. J. (1994). An introduction to the bootstrap (Vol. 57). CRC press.
  3. Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K., & Wilson, K. G. (1999). Acceptance and commitment therapy: an experiential approach to behavior change. New York: Guilford.
  4. Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full catastrophe living: using the wisdom of your mind and body to face stress, pain, and illness. New York: Delacorte.
  5. Kabat-Zinn, J. (1994). Wherever you go, there you are: mindfulness meditation in everyday life. New York: Hyperion Books.
  6. Muthén, L. K., & Muthén, B. O. (1998–2012). Mplus user’s guide. Seventh Edition. Los Angeles, CA: Muthén & Muthén.
  7. Segal, Z. V., Williams, J. M. G., & Teasdale, J. D. (2002). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression: a new approach to preventing relapse. New York: Guilford Press.

Authors
Brown, D. B., Bravo, A. J., Roos, C. R., & Pearson, M. R.
Affiliations
  • University of New Mexico (US)
  • Old Dominion University (US)
Corresponding author
Pearson, Matthew R.
ORCID
Venue
Mindfulness
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2014-10-28
Volume
6
Issue
5
Pages
1021-1032
ISSN
  • 1868-8527 (ISSN-L)
  • 1868-8535
DOI
10.1007/s12671-014-0349-4
PMC
PMC4617366
OpenAlex
W2008301832
Cited by
178
References
55
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 26 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 1
FWCI
7.50
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations
  • Mindfulness (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • ODU Digital Commons (Old Dominion University) (submittedVersion)
Funders
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (K01AA023233)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
  • Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
Keywords
mindfulness facets, decentering, cognitive flexibility, values clarification, self-regulation, exposure, depressive symptoms, stress, anxiety symptoms, alcohol-related problems, university students, mental health, mediation

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