The Meaning and Doing of Mindfulness: The Role of Values-based Behaviour in the Link Between Mindfulness and Wellbeing

Abstract

In the past decade, mindfulness training has become a common and well-accepted addition to, or basis for, clinical interventions. However, there is little clear understanding of the mechanisms through which mindfulness improves wellbeing and reduces psychological distress. This thesis explores whether mindful behaviour in line with values, or values-based action, is one of these mechanisms. Study 1 was a cross-sectional study examining the role of values-based action in the relationship between trait mindfulness and wellbeing in two university samples. In both samples, significant indirect effects were identified from mindfulness to wellbeing through Values Progress and Values Obstruction. Study 2 was a randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) and an intervention integrating mindfulness and values (an acceptance and commitment therapy [ACT] intervention). The sample was n = 199 higher degree university students. Outcomes were measured at baseline (T1), post-intervention (T2) and at four weeks follow-up (T3). Using a mixed linear approach, results indicated that both MBI and ACT interventions resulted in significant improvements in Flourishing, Positive Experiences, Perceived Stress, Non-judging, Acting with Awareness, and managing Values Obstruction (compared with the control group) from T1 to T3. Only the MBI group decreased significantly in Negative Experiences and only the ACT group improved significantly in Values Progress. Further, increases in Values Progress (T1 to T2) and Values Obstruction (T1 to T3) were significantly greater in the ACT group compared with the MBI group. A limitation of this study was that despite randomisation, two key variables were significantly different between groups at baseline. Therefore, data were re-analysed in Study 3 using a series of path analyses models that controlled for baseline differences between groups. In these results, both ACT and MBI groups changed significantly more than the control group in all outcomes and process variables and there were no significant differences between MBI and ACT groups in change in any variables. However, based on all results it was concluded that ACT was superior to MBI in improving Non-judging from T1 to T2 and Values Progress and Values Obstruction and MBI was superior to ACT in reducing Negative Experiences. Mediation analyses found the effect of ACT on Perceived Stress (from T2-T3) was mediated by Values Progress (T1-T2), the effect of ACT on Negative Experiences (T2-T3) was mediated by Non-judging (T1-T2) and the effect of MBI on Flourishing (T2-T3) was mediated by Values Obstruction (T1-T2). Concurrent mediation analyses found the effect of ACT and MBI groups on all outcomes (T1-T3) was mediated through Values Progress and Values Obstruction (T1-T3). Other results supported conclusions that values-based action was a more robust mediator of change in the ACT group than the MBI group. Overall, results indicated that values-based action is likely to be one of the mechanisms by which both MBI and ACT interventions improve wellbeing and reduced psychological distress. Results also suggest that formal mindfulness practice may be better for reducing negative experiences than a therapeutic approach integrating mindfulness and values. Show more