Cited by 12Mindfulness and Compassion InterventionsDigital Mental Health InterventionsPsychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction

Training-related improvements in mental well-being through reduction in negative interpretation bias: A randomized trial of online socio-emotional dyadic and mindfulness interventions

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Godara, Malvika, Hecht, Martin, Singer, Tania·2024·Journal of Affective Disorders

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Effects of online contemplative practices, especially partner-based practices, on psychological well-being remain mixed, with sparse understanding of potential affective-cognitive mechanisms. The study aimed to assess the efficacy of two online contemplative interventions in improving depression, anxiety, emotion regulation (ER), and resilience, and to evaluate the mechanistic role of negative attention and interpretation biases. METHODS: Employing a randomized controlled design (n = 285), we compared the efficacy of 10-week online mindfulness-based and partner-based socio-emotional dyadic interventions, both supported by weekly coaching sessions. Mental health aspects were assessed using validated self-report measures and negative biases using the mouse-contingent Scrambled Sentences Task. RESULTS: Both interventions, compared to waitlist control, led to reductions in depression and ER difficulties, while trait anxiety decreased only after mindfulness training. Increases in multidimensional resilience were observed only after socio-emotional training and in stress recovery only after mindfulness-based training, both compared to waitlist control. Socio-emotional training led to significant reductions in negative interpretation bias and this mediated reductions in depression and trait anxiety. Neither training led to reductions in state anxiety or negative attention bias. LIMITATIONS: The subclinical nature and overrepresentation of females in the sample limits generalizability. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that online mindfulness-based and socio-emotional partner-based interventions, supported by online coaching sessions, can reduce depression and ER difficulties. Though mindfulness practice reduced trait anxiety and enhanced stress recovery, socio-emotional training increased multidimensional resilience. Socio-emotional training reduced negative interpretation bias, which emerged as an intervention-specific mechanism. These findings highlight the potential benefits of online contemplative intervention approaches for psychological well-being.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.jad.2024.03.037

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Authors
Godara, M., Hecht, M., & Singer, T.
Affiliations
  • Max Planck Society (DE)
  • Helmut Schmidt University (DE)
Corresponding author
Godara, Malvika
Venue
Journal of Affective Disorders
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2024-06
Volume
354
Pages
662-672
ISSN
0165-0327 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4392699254
Cited by
12
References
92
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 3
FWCI
6.00
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Affective Disorders (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Max Planck Society
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
Keywords
online mindfulness intervention, interpretation bias, attentional bias, depression, anxiety, emotion regulation, resilience, stress recovery, online coaching, contemplative practice, mediation, psychological well-being
MeSH terms
Psychological Well-Being, Animals, Anxiety, Depression, Female, Humans, Mental Health, Bias, Mice, Mindfulness

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