Testing the Efficacy of ‘Unlearning’, a Mindfulness and Compassion-Based Programme for Cultivating Nonviolence in Teenagers: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Most programmes developed to reduce aggressive attitudes among teenagers are based on cultivating nonviolence, a construct that has been related to compassion and, more indirectly, mindfulness. This study aims at testing the efficacy of ‘Unlearning’, a mindfulness and compassion-based programme, for reducing aggressive attitudes in adolescents.Method: A sample of 164 students from three high schools in Zaragoza (Spain) participated in the study. They were randomly assigned to (1) ‘Unlearning’, or (2) relaxation programme. Three assessment points were established: baseline, post-treatment and a 4-month follow-up. The outcome variables were the subscales of the ‘Attitudes Toward Social Aggression Scale’. Mindfulness and compassion were assessed as secondary outcomes.Results: ‘Unlearning’ did not produce changes in the primary outcomes, but significant effects were observed post-treatment in self-compassion; and in the follow-up, in self-compassion and mindfulness. The control group did not experience any change post-treatment, but a significant effect in mindfulness was observed in the follow-up. The intergroup analyses indicated that ‘Unlearning’ improved self-compassion, both post-treatment (t = −2.48, p = 0.014) and after 4-months (t = −2.03, p = 0.044), although these results were not statistically significant after correcting for multiple comparisons.Conclusion: ‘Unlearning’ did not produce significant reductions in aggressive attitudes compared to the control group. The low baseline levels may have hindered the efficacy of the interventions. ‘Unlearning’ showed potential to improve self-compassion, which is related to nonviolence, and this may have positive implications for the adolescents. Future interventions should include teachers and families to enhance the effectiveness of the programmes.

A Systematic Review of the Adherence to Home-Practice Meditation Exercises in Patients with Chronic Pain

“…The review conducted by Lin et al [64] considered that MBIs could lead to improvement in the overall quality of life for adolescents suffering from chronic pain, but a systematic review [65] concluded that the evidence was inconsistent. Some authors have pointed out that learning mindfulness might require meta-cognitive skills that many adolescents may not have developed yet [66,67], in addition to discipline and consistency regarding meditation practice, which are also uncommon among teenagers. Thus, it is suggested that before implementing "third wave" CBT psychotherapies for adolescents with chronic pain, previous steps addressed at promoting the required basic skills should be taken.…”