Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Bereavement: A Systematized Narrative Review
Healthcare March 6, 2026 Fabio D’Antoni, Fabio Mattiussi, Cristiano Crescentini 2 citations
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), particularly Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, improve grief-related distress, depressive symptoms, and psychological well-being in bereaved individuals. These interventions reduce rumination and experiential avoidance while increasing self-compassion and emotion regulation. Evidence from 17 studies, however, remains preliminary due to small sample sizes, varied outcome measures, and limited long-term follow-up. MBIs appear promising as adjunctive support in bereavement care, targeting acceptance, decentering, and self-compassion. High-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to establish efficacy and clarify mechanisms.