Cited by 9Mindfulness and Compassion InterventionsAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesMental Health Research Topics

Facets of Mindfulness in Adults with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Impact of Co-occurring Depression

Open access
Baker, Amanda W., Frumkin, Madelyn R., Hoeppner, Susanne S., LeBlanc, Nicole J., Bui, Eric, Hofmann, Stefan G., Simon, Naomi M.·2019·Mindfulness

Abstract

Anxiety and depressive symptoms are associated with lower levels of mindfulness, yet few studies to date have examined facets of mindfulness in adults with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). In this study, we examined differences in mindfulness between individuals with GAD with and without concurrent Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and/or Dysthymic Disorder (DD). We also examined the associations of anxiety and depressive symptoms with facets (subscales) of mindfulness. We hypothesized that individuals with primary GAD and co-occurring MDD/DD would exhibit lower mindfulness than those without a concurrent depressive disorder. We also hypothesized that mindfulness would be negatively correlated with worry and depressive symptom severity. Subjects were 140 adults (M (SD) age = 33.4 (12.9); 73% female) with a primary diagnosis of GAD; 30.8% (n = 43) also met criteria for current MDD/DD as determined by a structured clinical interview for DSM-IV. Current worry and depressive symptoms were assessed using self-report measures at baseline of a 12-week treatment study. Individuals with GAD and co-occurring MDD/DD exhibited significantly lower mindfulness than those without a depressive disorder diagnosis and specifically lower scores on the Awareness sub-scale compared to individuals with primary GAD and no comorbid depression. In terms of the dimensional impact of worry and depression ratings, depression symptoms independently predicted lower Awareness scores and worry independently predicted lower levels of Nonreacting and Nonjudging sub-scales. This may have direct treatment implications.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1007/s12671-018-1059-0

Cites

44 of 44 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Claims the paper makes

0 of 49 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    Adults with primary GAD plus current MDD/DD scored lower on the Awareness facet than adults with GAD alone.

    “and specifically lower scores on the Awareness sub-scale compared to individuals with primary GAD and no comorbid depression.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: The data were approximately normally distributed.
  • Findingown data

    Adults with primary GAD plus current MDD/DD showed lower overall mindfulness than adults with GAD alone.

    “Individuals with GAD and co-occurring MDD/DD exhibited significantly lower mindfulness than those without a depressive disorder diagnosis”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: The data were approximately normally distributed.
  • Findingown data

    Worry severity independently predicted lower Nonjudging facet scores.

    “worry independently predicted lower levels of Nonreacting and Nonjudging sub-scales.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: The data were approximately normally distributed.
  • Findingown data

    Depressive symptom severity independently predicted lower Awareness facet scores.

    “depression symptoms independently predicted lower Awareness scores”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: The data were approximately normally distributed.
  • Findingown data

    PSWQ scores were not significantly correlated with the Describing subscale of the FFMQ.

    “there was no significant correlation between PSWQ scores and the Describing sub-scale of the FFMQ”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1
  • May combine two claims. 19
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 21
  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    Worry severity independently predicted lower Nonreacting facet scores.

    “worry independently predicted lower levels of Nonreacting and Nonjudging sub-scales.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: The data were approximately normally distributed.
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Depression severity on the BDI-II, but not worry severity on the PSWQ-PW, was associated with lower scores on the Awareness subscale.

    “Depression severity (BDI-II), but not worry severity (PSWQ-PW) was associated with lower scores on the Awareness sub-scale”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Worry severity, but not depression severity, was associated with lower scores on the Nonjudging and Nonreacting subscales.

    “worry severity but not depression was associated with lower scores on the Nonjudging and Nonreacting sub-scales.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In this sample of non-meditators, the Observing subscale was not significantly correlated with anxiety or depression symptoms, nor with any other mindfulness facet apart from Nonreacting (r = .17, p < .05).

    “the Observing sub-scale was not significantly correlated with symptoms of anxiety or depression in our sample of non-meditators, nor was it significantly correlated with any other facets of mindfulness apart from Nonreacting (r = .17, p < .05).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Baer et al., 2006 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Curtiss & Klemanski, 2014 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Regression models for four of the five FFMQ subscales were significant, accounting for 17% of the variance in Awareness, 13% in Nonjudging, 10% in Nonreacting, and 9% in Describing.

    “The regression models for 4 of the 5 mindfulness sub-scales were significant and accounted for 17% of the variance in Awareness, 13% of the variance in Nonjudging, 10% of the variance in Nonreacting, and 9% of the variance in Describing, respectively (Table 3).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Neither age nor gender moderated the effects of PSWQ or BDI-II on FFMQ 4-factor total scores (all p > .23).

    “neither age (F(1,130)= 1.54, p=.22) nor gender (F(1,130)=0.14, p=.70) were significant covariates in the model or moderated the effects of PSWQ-PW or BDI-II (all p>.23).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The regression model of FFMQ 4-factor total scores predicted by PSWQ and BDI-II with adjustment for site was significant and accounted for 25% of the variance (adjusted R2 = .24).

    “The results of the regression indicated a significant overall model accounting for 25% of the variance (adjusted R2 = .24, F(3, 136) = 16.36, p < .0001).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Early trials of mindfulness-based interventions for GAD had small samples and no active control conditions.

    “However, initial trials of mindfulness-based interventions for GAD utilized small samples and lacked active control conditions (Craigie et al., 2008; Evans et al., 2008; Treanor et al., 2011).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Craigie et al., 2008 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Evans et al., 2008 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Treanor et al., 2011 source

      Not checked in the free run.

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

    Premisecitation

    In a nonclinical sample, the FFMQ Observing facet did not load with the other facets and showed positive correlations with dissociation, absentmindedness, thought suppression, and psychological symptoms.

    “Notably, Baer and colleagues (2006) found that the Observing facet of the FFMQ did not load onto the other facets and was unexpectedly positively correlated with dissociation, absentmindedness, thought suppression, and psychological symptoms in a nonclinical sample.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Baer et al., 2006 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In that RCT, the MBSR group reported greater reductions in self-reported anxiety and stress reactivity to a laboratory task.

    “however, those in the MBSR group did report greater reductions in self-reported anxiety and in stress reactivity to a laboratory task.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Hoge et al., 2013 source

      Not checked in the free run.

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

    Premisecitation

    Previous studies have found that the Observing facet shows a positive relationship with anxiety-related variables in non-meditators, and that this relationship may be stronger in clinical samples.

    “Previous studies have found that the Observing facet exhibits a positive relationship with anxiety-related variables in non-meditators, and that this relationship may be exacerbated in clinical samples (Curtiss & Klemanski, 2014; de Bruin, Topper, Muskens, Bögels, & Kamphuis, 2012).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Curtiss & Klemanski, 2014 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites de Bruin, Topper, Muskens, Bögels, & Kamphuis, 2012 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    Both GAD and MDD are associated with sleep interference, which likely also affects concentration abilities.

    “both GAD and MDD are associated with sleep interference, which likely also affects concentration abilities.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Concentration impairment is a symptom of both GAD and MDD and is likely maintained by the cognitive avoidance strategies (worry and rumination) that characterize these disorders.

    “concentration impairment is a symptom of both GAD and MDD and is likely perpetuated by the cognitive avoidance strategies that characterize these disorders (i.e. worry and rumination).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    BDI-II reliability in the current sample was excellent (Cronbach's α = .92).

    “Reliability in the current sample was excellent (Cronbach’s α = .92).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductcitation

    P-values for ANOVA and multiple regression effects were adjusted for family-wise error across six outcomes using the Hochberg procedure.

    “The p-values reported for effects in both the ANOVA and multiple regression sets of models were adjusted to control the family-wise error rate among the 6 outcomes (FFMQ 4-factor total and 5 sub-scales) using the Hochberg procedure (Hochberg, 1988).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Hochberg, 1988 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • The authors state this as an assumption: The data were approximately normally distributed.
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Among clinical GAD subjects, PSWQ and PSWQ-PW have shown high internal consistency and good test-retest reliability.

    “Amongst clinical GAD subjects, the PSWQ and PSWQ-PW have demonstrated high internal consistency and good test-retest reliability (Meyer, Miller, Metzger, & Borkovec, 1990; Stoeber & Bittencourt, 1998).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Meyer, Miller, Metzger, & Borkovec, 1990 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Stoeber & Bittencourt, 1998 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The sample came from anxious individuals without meditation experience, so the Observing facet was expected to show little association with other mindfulness aspects.

    “Our study sample was drawn from a population of anxious individuals not experienced in meditation and thus likely to show very little association between the Observing facet and other aspects of mindfulness (Baer et al., 2006).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial 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). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    ANOVA and regression models adjusted for fixed site effects.

    “We then conducted one-way analysis of variance analyses (ANOVA) to assess whether 4-factor FFMQ total scores and sub-scale scores differed between those with and without a concurrent depressive disorder, while adjusting for fixed site effects.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: The data were approximately normally distributed.
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Prior studies in clinical samples have found an independent association between depression symptoms and Nonreacting and Nonjudging, but not Awareness.

    “prior studies in clinical samples have demonstrated an independent association between depression symptoms and Nonreacting as well as Nonjudging, but not Awareness (e.g., Desrosiers, Klemanski, et al., 2013).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Desrosiers, Klemanski, et al., 2013

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    The association between Observing and psychopathology is moderated by Nonreacting, such that Observing predicts reduced psychopathology at high Nonreacting and increased psychopathology at low Nonreacting.

    “Eisenlohr-Moul, Walsh, Charnigo, Lynam, and Baer (2012) demonstrated that the association between Observing and psychopathology is moderated by Nonreacting, such that Observing predicts reduced psychopathology at high levels of Nonreacting and increased psychopathology at low levels of Nonreacting.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Eisenlohr-Moul, Walsh, Charnigo, Lynam, and Baer (2012) source

      Not checked in the free run.

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

    Study design and conductnone given

    All data were collected at baseline before interventions began.

    “All data were collected at baseline before participants began their interventions.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    More than half of individuals with GAD experience a comorbid mood disorder at some point in their lives.

    “over half of individuals with GAD experience a comorbid mood disorder in their lifetimes (Wittchen, Zhao, Kessler, & Eaton, 1994).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Wittchen, Zhao, Kessler, & Eaton, 1994 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The FFMQ has acceptable convergent and discriminant validity, internal consistency, and incremental validity for predicting psychological symptoms and well-being across student, community, and mood/anxiety adult samples.

    “Analyses of psychometric properties have found acceptable convergent and discriminant validity, internal consistency, and incremental validity in predicting psychological symptoms and well-being across samples of students, community members, and adults with mood and anxiety symptoms (Baer et al., 2006; Baer et al., 2008; Bohlmeijer et al., 2011).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Baer et al., 2006 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Baer et al., 2008 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Bohlmeijer et al., 2011 source

      Not checked in the free run.

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

    Interpretationcitation

    Mood-dependent changes in emotional awareness among those with comorbid MDD/DD may explain lower scores on the Awareness subscale.

    “mood-dependent changes in emotional awareness among those with comorbid MDD/DD may explain lower scores on the Awareness sub-scale.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Nonreactivity and Nonjudging have been shown to be associated with self-compassion.

    “Both Nonreactivity and Nonjudging have been shown to be associated with self-compassion (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.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductcitation

    Primary GAD diagnosis was determined by trained raters using SCID-IV or ADIS-5.

    “Inclusion criteria also included a primary diagnosis of GAD, as determined by trained raters using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-IV; First, Spitzer, Gibbon, & Williams, 2002) or the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule-5 (ADIS-5; Brown & Barlow, 2013)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites First, Spitzer, Gibbon, & Williams, 2002

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Brown & Barlow, 2013

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Alexithymia (low emotional awareness) is a state-dependent feature of current depression.

    “alexithymia (cf low emotional awareness) is a state-dependent feature of current depression (Marchesi, Bertoni, Cantoni, & Maggini, 2008)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Marchesi, Bertoni, Cantoni, & Maggini, 2008 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductown data

    Clinician-rated assessments were done by independent evaluators who were M.D., Ph.D., or experienced Masters level diagnosticians certified for structured clinical interviews.

    “Following informed consent, all clinician-rated assessments were undertaken by independent evaluators (IEs) who were M.D., Ph.D., or experienced Masters level diagnosticians experienced in the administration of structured clinical interviews certified for this study under the direction of an IE trainer.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    PSWQ-PW reliability in the current sample was excellent (Cronbach's α = .90).

    “Reliability of the PSWQ-PW in the current sample was excellent (Cronbach’s α = .90).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The PSWQ likely does not capture rumination or other forms of repetitive negative thinking.

    “the PSWQ likely does not capture rumination or other forms of repetitive negative thinking.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    The cross-sectional design precludes conclusions about whether low mindfulness leads to increased clinical symptoms or whether increased clinical symptoms lead to reduced mindfulness.

    “Limitations of the study include the cross-sectional design, which precludes us from drawing conclusions regarding whether low mindfulness may lead to increased clinical symptoms or whether increased clinical symptoms lead to reduced mindfulness.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductreasoning

    It cannot be ruled out that the sample had greater interest in yoga and in mindfulness practices in general compared to other treatment-seeking samples.

    “we cannot rule out that our sample had greater interest in yoga specifically and thus in mindfulness practices in general compared to other treatment-seeking samples.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Depression is an episodic syndrome with high rates of recurrence.

    “Given that depression is an episodic syndrome with high rates of recurrence (Richards, 2011)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Richards, 2011 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 transdiagnostic measure of worry rather than anxiety symptom severity.

    “Another limitation of our study is that we selected a transdiagnostic measure of worry, rather than anxiety symptom severity.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    The sample was drawn from treatment-seeking people with GAD with specific exclusion criteria and is not representative of the full diversity of psychiatric symptoms in people with GAD or of people with lower anxiety severity.

    “our sample was drawn from a population of treatment-seeking people with GAD with specific exclusion criteria and thus is not representative of the full diversity of psychiatric symptoms in people with GAD or people with lower severity of anxiety symptoms.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
35 of 35
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Few studies have examined facets of mindfulness in adults with GAD.

    “yet few studies to date have examined facets of mindfulness in adults with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).”
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The data were approximately normally distributed.

    “Review of skewness (all values below +/−0.35) and kurtosis (all values below 3.5) suggested that normality was a reasonable assumption.”
2 of 2

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.

  • Not confirmedF(1, 130) = 5.83reported p = .03 · recomputed p = .017

    “F(1,130)=5.83, p = .03”

  • ConsistentF(3, 136) = 16.36reported p < .0001 · recomputed p < .001

    “F(3, 136) = 16.36, p < .0001”

  • ConsistentF(1, 130) = 5.07reported p = .03 · recomputed p = .026

    “F(1,130)=5.07, p = .03”

  • ConsistentF(1, 130) = 1.54reported p = .22 · recomputed p = .217

    “F(1,130)= 1.54, p = .22”

  • ConsistentF(1, 130) = 0.14reported p = .7 · recomputed p = .709

    “F(1,130)=0.14, p = .70”

5 of 5

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.

  • Abstract claims a significant overall mindfulness difference

    Major

    The abstract says the group with co-occurring depression had significantly lower mindfulness, but the results say the overall mindfulness difference was not significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons. The significant group difference was limited to the Awareness subscale.

1 of 1

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. Beck, A., Steer, R., & Brown, G. (1996). Manual for the BDI-II. San Antonio: Psychological Corporation.
  2. Brown, T. A., & Barlow, D. H. (2013). Anxiety and related disorders interview schedule for DSM-5, adult and lifetime version: clinician manual. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  3. First, M. B., Spitzer, R. L., Gibbon, M., & Williams, J. B. (2002). Structured clinical interview for DSM-IV-TR Axis I disorders. Research Version, Patient Edition: SCID-I/P) New York. Biometrics Research, New York State Psychiatric Institute.
  4. Segal, Z., Williams, J., & Teasdale, J. (2002). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression: a new approach to relapse prevention. New York: Guilford.

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Baker, A. W., Frumkin, M. R., Hoeppner, S. S., LeBlanc, N. J., Bui, E., Hofmann, S. G., & Simon, N. M.
Affiliations
  • Harvard University (US)
  • Massachusetts General Hospital (US)
  • Boston University (US)
  • NYU Langone Health (US)
Corresponding author
Baker, Amanda W.
Venue
Mindfulness
Published
2018-11-07
Volume
10
Issue
5
Pages
903-912
ISSN
  • 1868-8527 (ISSN-L)
  • 1868-8535
OpenAlex
W2899624187
Cited by
9
References
44
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1
FWCI
0.88
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Mindfulness (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
NIH/NCCAM (AT007258-02)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Mental Health Research Topics
Keywords
generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, dysthymia, comorbid depression, worry, depressive symptoms, mindfulness facets, awareness, non-reactivity, non-judgment

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Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-09-28.

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