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Cited by 39Mindfulness and Compassion InterventionsAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesMental Health Treatment and Access

Exploring the effectiveness of mindfulness-based and third wave interventions in addressing self-stigma, shame and their impacts on psychosocial functioning: A systematic review

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Stynes, Greg, Leão, Caroline S., McHugh, Louise·2022·Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science
DOI 10.1016/j.jcbs.2022.01.006
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Abstract

Self-stigma and shame are overlapping experiences that can have significant negative effects on many areas of life. This systematic review aimed to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based and third wave interventions in addressing self-stigma and shame and the impact of these interventions on psychosocial functioning areas including community participation, quality of life, wellbeing, vocational achievement, help-seeking behavior, relationships and psychological health. Adverse effects were also reviewed. A search was completed using six electronic databases, two trial registries, contact with subject matter experts and a hand search of reference lists of included studies to identify randomized controlled trials of relevant studies. Twenty nine studies were included in the review, comprising 2051 participants, the majority of whom identified as female (73.4%), white and adults less than 40 years of age. Most studies took place in North American or European countries. The majority of studies were assessed as having high risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Caution is therefore advised in interpretation. Results suggested that interventions aiming to enhance self-compassion or those based on acceptance and commitment therapy may have particular utility in addressing self-stigma and shame. Mindfulness-based and third wave interventions may also have a positive impact on quality of life and aspects of psychological health. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

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  • Mindfulness has been shown to improve mental health outcomes for a variety of populations, including those facing systemic stigma.

    “Research shows that mindfulness, the process of paying attention with awareness and attentiveness to the immediate experience in a nonjudgmental way,12,13 improves mental health outcomes for a variety of populations, including those facing systemic stigma.14–20”

    From Mindfulness, Mental Health, and Violence Exposure Among Transgender Female Sex Workers Living with HIV in the Dominican Republic. (2026) · cites this paper as [19]

    The Results (§3.2.7, page unavailable) report improvements in some depression and anxiety outcomes, including in a mindfulness intervention. But the review covers mindfulness-based and other third-wave interventions, describes the evidence cautiously, and says in §4.1 that it cannot draw conclusions for specific groups. It therefore does not establish the claim as stated for populations facing systemic stigma. (LLM, conf=0.87)

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  • Internalized shame can involve viewing oneself as inadequate, flawed, or undeserving, which can have numerous negative health outcomes, including psychological health.

    “Internalized shame can involve viewing oneself as inadequate, flawed, or undeserving, which can have numerous negative health outcomes, including psychological health. 19”

    From Mindfulness, Mental Health, and Violence Exposure Among Transgender Female Sex Workers Living with HIV in the Dominican Republic. (2026) · cites this paper as [19]

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Research works printed but not linked: 6

  1. Gilbert, P., & Irons, C. (2005). Focused therapies for shame and self-attacking, using cognitive, behavioral, emotional, imagery and compassionate mind training. In P. Gilbert (Ed.), Compassion: Conceptualizations, research and use in psychotherapy (pp. 263-325). London: Brunner-Routledge.
  2. Hayes, S. C., Barnes-Holmes, D., & Roche, B. (Eds.). (2001). Relational frame theory: A post-skinnerian account of human language and cognition. New York: Plenum Press.
  3. CD008704 · DOI · Paper page
  4. McCullough, J. P. (2000). Treatment for chronic depression: Cognitive behavioral analysis system of psychotherapy (CBASP). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
  5. McHugh, L., Stewart, I., & Almada, P. (2019). A contextual behavioral guide to the self: Theory and practice. Context Press/New Harbinger Publications.
  6. n388 · DOI

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Authors
Stynes, G., Leão, C. S., & McHugh, L.
Affiliations
University College Dublin (IE)
Corresponding author
Stynes, Greg
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2022-01
Volume
23
Pages
174-189
ISSN
2212-1447 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.jcbs.2022.01.006
OpenAlex
W4210493321
Cited by
39
References
136
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 2
FWCI
1.41
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science (publishedVersion, cc-by)
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 › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
Keywords
self-stigma, shame, mindfulness-based interventions, self-compassion, acceptance and commitment therapy, psychosocial functioning, quality of life, well-being, help-seeking, community participation, adverse effects

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