The role of experiential avoidance in the early stages of an online mindfulness-based intervention: Two mediation studies

ABSTRACT

Objectives There is evidence to suggest that only 2–4 weeks of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) can already alleviate emotional stress. The current studies sought to examine whether experiential avoidance mediated the effects of MBIs on emotional distress during an early stage of the intervention. Methods: Chinese participants with high emotional distress were recruited. Study 1 included 324 participants, randomly assigned to an online MBI (N = 171) or a control group (N = 153). Experiential avoidance and general emotional distress were measured at baseline and after the 3rd week of the intervention. Study 2 included 158 participants, randomly assigned to an online MBI (N = 79) or a control group (N = 79). Experiential avoidance and emotional distress were measured at baseline and weekly in the first three weeks. Results: Compared to the control group, experiential avoidance and emotional distress were significantly improved in the MBI group during the first three weeks of the intervention (Cohen’s d = 0.22–0.63). Moreover, changes in experiential avoidance mediated the effects of MBI on emotional distress in the early stage in both contemporary and lagged mediation models. Discussion: Experiential avoidance is an important mediator during the early-stage of MBIs for alleviating emotional distress.

Keywords:

• mindfulness-based interventions
• online intervention
• emotional distress
• early stage
• experiential avoidance
• mechanisms

Acknowledgements

XL and MH designed the study. MH collected, analyzed, and interpreted the data, wrote and revised manuscript. YL reanalyzed the data, checked the results, and edited the manuscript. RJ and SL collected the data. SGH collaborated by editing and revising the manuscript. XL designed the intervention program, commented on the manuscript, and supervised the whole study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability

All data available on request.

Compliance with ethical standards

Ethical approval

The Association for Ethics and Human and Animal Protection in School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, approved the Study 1 (No. 2020-10-03) and Study 2 (No. 2021-11-04). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Study 1 was registered in a Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registration number: ChiCTR2100051402) and Study 2 was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (Registration number: NCT05789160).

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Project No. 31971016) and the National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital; Project No. NCRC2021M01). Dr. Hofmann receives financial support by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (as part of the Alexander von Humboldt Professur), the Hessische Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst (as part of the LOEWE Spitzenprofessur), NIH/NIMH R01MH128377, NIH/NIMHU01MH108168, Broderick Foundation/MIT, and the James S. McDonnell Foundation 21st Century Science Initiative in Understanding Human Cognition – Special Initiative. He receives compensation for his work as editor from Springer Nature. He also receives royalties and payments for his work from various publishers.