Background. Theories propose that judgment of and reactivity to inner experiences are mediators of the effect of mindfulness-based interventions on generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). However, no study has tested such theories using brief, mindfulness ecological momentary intervention (MEMI). We thus tested these theories using a 14-day MEMI versus selfmonitoring app (SM) control for GAD. Methods. Participants (N = 110) completed self-reports of trait mindfulness (Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire), GAD severity (GAD-Questionnaire-IV), and trait perseverative cognitions (Perseverative Cognitions Questionnaire) at prerandomization, posttreatment, and 1-month follow-up (1MFU). Counterfactual mediation analyses with temporal precedence were conducted.Results. Improvement in pre-post mindfulness domains (acceptance of emotions, describing feelings accurately, acting with awareness, judgment of inner experience, and reactivity to inner experience) predicted pre-1MFU reduction in GAD severity and pre-1MFU reduction in trait perseverative cognitions from MEMI but not SM. MEMI reduced pre-post reactivity to inner experiences (but not other mindfulness domains) significantly more than SM. Only reduced prepost reactivity significantly mediated stronger efficacy of MEMI over SM on pre-1MFU reductions in GAD severity (indirect effect: β = À2.970 [À5.034, À0.904], p = .008; b path: β = À3.313 [À6.350, À0.276], p = .033; percentage mediated: 30.5%) and trait perseverative cognitions (indirect effect: β = À0.153 [À0.254, À0.044], p = .008; b path: β = À0.145 [À0.260, À0.030], p = .014; percentage mediated: 42.7%). Other trait mindfulness domains were non-significant mediators. Conclusions. Reactivity to inner experience might be a mindfulness-based intervention change mechanism and should be targeted to optimize brief MEMIs for GAD.