Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), including Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, are effective at reducing depressive symptoms across a range of psychiatric disorders. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 35 randomized controlled trials covering 12 diagnostic categories found that these interventions produced significant effect sizes compared to active control conditions. The findings suggest that MBIs can serve as a cost-effective, transdiagnostic tool for treating depressive symptoms not only in depressive disorders but across mental health conditions.
A mindfulness-based intervention for young adolescents from the general population did not reduce stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, or improve emotion regulation, despite being very well accepted and receiving high satisfaction ratings. In a randomized controlled trial, 70 adolescents aged 13 to 15 years were assigned to an 8-week mindfulness program or a waiting list. Self-reported measures showed no benefit on any symptom or affect measure. Trait mindfulness was linked to lower stress and anxiety. Individual responses varied widely. The findings align with evidence that mindfulness programs may be more effective for clinical than nonclinical groups.