Being mindful does not always benefit everyone: mindfulness-based practices may promote alienation among psychologically vulnerable people

• Published in: Cognition and emotion 2021-03, Vol.35 (2), p.241-255
• Main Authors: Kaufmann, Martina, Rosing, Kathrin, Baumann, Nicola
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: action versus state orientation; Alienation; Intervention; Mind and body; Mindfulness; Mindfulness training; Self regulation; self-infiltration; Vulnerability
• ISSN: 0269-9931; 1464-0600
• DOI: 10.1080/02699931.2020.1825337

A growing number of interventions have sought to cultivate mindfulness, an accepting awareness of body and mind experiences. A great deal of prior research has shown mostly beneficial effects of mindfulness interventions. However, cultivating mindfulness may not always be beneficial for everyone. Two studies examined whether mindfulness may have alienating effects among people high in state orientation (i.e. low self-regulatory abilities). Participants were randomly assigned to either a 90-minute mindfulness training plus 5-minute retreatment or a waiting list control group (Study 1 N = 54, Study 2 N = 155). Alienation was operationalised as false self-ascriptions (FSA rate) of extrinsic goals that were allegedly recommended by experts. Participants high (versus low) in state orientation had significantly higher FSA rates in the mindfulness (versus control) condition. These results suggest that mindfulness training may alienate psychologically vulnerable populations (e.g. state-oriented people) from their intrinsic emotional preferences.