The effects of mindfulness‐based interventions on emotion regulation/dysregulation in people with mental health conditions: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Thomas Easdale‐Cheele, George Nash, Veronika Filobokova, Chloe Westbury, Alessio Bellato
JCPP Advances February 12, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/jcv2.70103 via OpenAlex
Summary
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) improve cognitive reappraisal and reduce emotion dysregulation in people with diagnosed mental health conditions. A meta-analysis of 19 randomized controlled trials (16 in the meta-analyses, 988 participants total) found that MBIs significantly improved cognitive reappraisal (6 studies, effect size 0.65) and reduced overall emotion dysregulation (9 studies, effect size -0.54). Significant reductions occurred in dysregulation domains of goal-directedness, impulsivity, and accessing emotion regulation strategies. Effects on expressive suppression were not significant. Study quality moderated emotion regulation outcomes but not overall dysregulation. Limited evidence for younger people and reliance on self-report measures warrant cautious interpretation.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 988 |
| Population | People with mental health conditions established by an adequately trained healthcare professional according to DSM or ICD criteria |
| Keywords | Mental health Psychological intervention Cognitive reappraisal Cognition Meta-analysis |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key finding | Mindfulness-based interventions significantly improved cognitive reappraisal and reduced overall emotion dysregulation across diagnoses, but did not significantly affect expressive suppression. |
Abstract
Abstract Background We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to examine the effects of mindfulness‐based interventions (MBIs) on emotion regulation (ER) and emotion dysregulation (ED) in people with any mental health condition. Methods Following a pre‐registered protocol (PROSPERO CRD42024618605), we searched multiple databases (Web of Science, PsycINFO, Embase, and PubMed) on 04/07/2025. We identified randomised‐controlled trials (RCTs) in which the effects of MBIs on ER or ED were measured in people with mental health conditions established by an adequately trained healthcare professional according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (from third to fifth editions) or equivalent diagnosis as per the International Classification of Diseases (ninth or 10th revisions). Pooled effect sizes (Hedge's g ) were estimated using random‐effect meta‐analyses. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2 . Results We identified 19 RCTs, with 16 in the meta‐analyses (988 participants in total; 50.71% randomised to MBIs). We found that MBIs significantly improved cognitive reappraisal ( k = 6, g = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.33, 0.98) and reduced overall ED ( k = 9; g = −0.54; CI = −0.71, −0.36). Significant reductions in ED domains concerning goal‐directedness, impulsivity, and accessing ER strategies were found. Effects for expressive suppression were nonsignificant ( k = 6; g = −0.25; CI = −0.94, 0.45) with significant heterogeneity. Study quality significantly moderated both ER outcomes, though not overall ED. Conclusion MBIs show potential for improving cognitive reappraisal and reducing ED across diagnoses. However, limited evidence for younger people and self‐report measurements warrant cautious interpretation. Trial Registration NIHR PROSPERO 2024 CRD42024618605. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024618605 .