Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Correlates of FFMQ Mindfulness Facets

Abstract

Background: A number of meta-analyses of mindfulness have been performed, but few distinguished between different facets of mindfulness, despite it being known that facets of mindfulness behave differently in different populations; and most studied the outcome of interventions, which tend to involve additional ingredients besides mindfulness. Furthermore, there has recently been some concern regarding possible publication bias in mindfulness research.Objective: Systematic review and meta-analysis of the relationship of different facets of mindfulness with various outcomes, taking into account possible moderators, and controlling for publication bias using a method appropriate given the substantial heterogeneity present.Methods: Random effects meta-analysis with a number of robustness checks and estimation of the possible impact of publication bias on the results. Included are all studies that report correlations of outcomes with all five FFMQ facets, in English, French, German, or Spanish.Study Registration: PROSPERO International prospective register of systematic reviews http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.asp?ID=CRD42016041863.Results: For the designated primary measure (SWLS) estimated correlations were: 0.15 [0.07, 0.22] for the Observing facet, 0.31 [0.27, 0.36] for Describing, 0.35 [0.31, 0.38] for Acting-with-Awareness, 0.30 [0.10, 0.47] for Non-judging and 0.28 [0.18, 0.37] for Non-reacting. Grouping all desirable outcomes together, Describing has the highest zero-order (though not partial) correlation; Non-judging the highest effect on avoiding undesirable outcomes. Results seem to be reasonably robust even to severe publication bias.

Testing the Intermediary Role of Perceived Stress in the Relationship between Mindfulness and Burnout Subtypes in a Large Sample of Spanish University Students

“…Describing refers to the ability of labelling internal experiences with words [ 72 ] and it has been stated that describing is not central to the construct of mindfulness [ 83 ], as it involves additional cognitive processing and elaboration beyond monitoring one’s experiences (which may also help in emotion regulation). Coherently with our results, modest effects (especially when compared to those with non-judging and acting with awareness facets) on mental health and wellbeing have been reported in university students [ 75 ].…”

“…Furthermore, in our study, higher scores of non-reacting (e.g., “In difficult situations, I can pause without immediately reacting”) predicted greater levels of lack of development (e.g., “My studies don’t offer me opportunities to develop my abilities”) in academical perform. The negative association between non-reacting and perceived academic stress along with previous literature supporting the positive effect of this mindfulness facet on mental wellbeing (e.g., [ 53 , 75 , 77 ]), it seems reasonable that the unexpected pattern observed regarding lack of development could rely on a potential misunderstanding of its items in our student sample and not on a harmful effect of this mindfulness facet on burnout. In this line, taking a non-reactive stance regarding internal events (i.e., non-reactivity or equanimity) and indifference or passivity (which are inherent to under-challenged burnout subtype) are concepts that classically have been mistakenly mixed, to the point that they are even considered “near-enemies” [ 78 ].…”

“…Regarding the role of this facet in mindfulness, many mindfulness instructors propose the training of attention and awareness as foundational in mindfulness interventions aimed both at reducing academic stress in university settings and fostering resilience [ 33 , 74 ]. This mindfulness facet, along with non-judging, usually shows high correlations with positive and negative mental health outcomes such as satisfaction with life, perceived academic stress, anxiety, or depression [ 75 ]. Furthermore, in a study by Yang et al [ 76 ] conducted in mental health professionals, acting with awareness presented the strongest association with stress and burnout in comparison to the other FFMQ facets.…”

Mindfulness Predicts Psycho-behavioral Improvement after Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Influence of Childhood Adversity

“…Increasing evidence supports the use of mindfulness-based interventions to reduce the psychological distress experienced by women with breast cancer (Cramer et al, 2012; Witek Janusek et al, 2019). However, mindfulness is a multi-faceted construct with distinct facets, some of which may be more relevant than others to manage cancer-related psychological distress and to promote better quality of life (Mattes, 2019). Consistent with this concept, our findings demonstrated that of the five facets of mindfulness, measured by the FFMQ, increases in nonjudgement, and nonreactivity to inner experience to be significantly associated with a more rapid decrease in depressive symptoms, fatigue, sleep disturbance, perceived stress, as well as with a more rapid increase in quality of life from diagnosis through early survivorship.…”

“…In the cancer population, only a few studies have sought to identify the “active” component or facet of mindfulness, and its relationship to psycho-behavioral outcomes in response to a mindfulness-based intervention (Bränström et al, 2010; Garland et al, 2013). It is possible that selective facets of mindfulness may target psycho-behavioral symptoms in those with cancer (Mattes, 2019).…”