The effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on risk and protective factors of depressive relapse - A randomized wait-list controlled trial

Abstract

Background: The aim of this randomized wait-list controlled trial was to explore the effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on risk and protective factors for depressive relapse within the domains of cognition, emotion and self-relatedness. Methods: Sixty-eight individuals with recurrent depressive disorder were randomized to MBCT or a wait-list control condition (WLC). Results: Completers of MBCT (N = 26) improved significantly on measures assessing risk and protective factors of recurrent depression compared to WLC (N = 30) on measures of rumination (d = 0.59, p =.015), emotion regulation (d = 0.50, p =.028), emotional reactivity to stress (d = 0.32, p =.048), self-compassion (d = 1.02, p