Dispositional and Experimentally Induced Mindfulness Are Distinctly Associated with Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms

• Published in: Mindfulness 2022-09, Vol.13 (9), p.2162-2174
• Main Authors: Çek, Demet, Reese, Hannah E., Broos, Hannah C., Timpano, Kiara R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anxiety; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Child and School Psychology; Cognitive Psychology; Drug therapy; Intervention; Meditation; Mindfulness; Original Paper; Pediatrics; Psychology; Public Health; Social Sciences
• ISSN: 1868-8527; 1868-8535
• DOI: 10.1007/s12671-022-01934-3

Objectives Despite growing research on mindfulness-based interventions for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), it remains unknown which aspects of mindfulness are most beneficial and whether the effects vary for different OCD symptom domains. Methods To clarify these relationships, we examined the links between dispositional mindfulness, experimentally induced mindfulness, and obsessive compulsive (OC) symptoms in a sample of young adults selected for elevated OC symptoms ( N  = 97). First, we investigated the association between dispositional mindfulness on the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and clinical interview-assessed OC symptoms, as well as anxiety and urge to ritualize in response to two OC symptom provocation tasks. Second, we examined the effects of a brief, computerized Mindful Attention (MA) training relative to a Control training on responses to two different OC symptom provocation tasks (harm- or contamination-related). Results FFMQ-nonjudgment negatively predicted obsession and compulsion severity, as well as post-task urge intensity. None of the other FFMQ indices was predictive of any OC symptom measures. The effect of MA training, relative to Control training, was moderated by the type of OC symptom (harm-related vs. contamination-related concerns) such that it appeared to have a beneficial effect for the former, but not the latter. Conclusions Our findings indicate that the nonjudgment facet of mindfulness may be especially important for individuals with OCD, and that MA training may be more helpful for harm-related unacceptable thoughts than for contamination concerns. Future research and clinical interventions would benefit from further examination of the relationship between specific facets of mindfulness and OC symptoms.