An investigation into the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy with adolescents

Research has shown mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), such as mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), to be effective for adults with clinical difficulties, but little research has focused on MBIs for mental health difficulties in adolescents.
This study investigated a 6-week MBCT-based intervention, testing the hypotheses that mindfulness-training would reduce anxiety, and depression, and improve mindfulness, self-compassion and executive function, in adolescents with anxiety disorders. It also explored the experience of mindfulness-training and the changes experienced with mindfulness practice.
The study used a mixed-methods multiple-case AB design with 6- and 12- week follow-up. Adolescents aged 14-17 (N=8), meeting DSM-IV criteria for an anxiety disorder, completed personal anxiety measures weekly during baseline, intervention and follow-up phases. The resulting time-series were analysed using simulation modelling analysis (Borckardt et al., 2008). Adolescents and parents also completed standardised measures at the start and end of each phase. Qualitative analysis of post-intervention interviews used Critical Incident Analysis (Butterfield et al., 2009) to identify helpful and hindering themes.
Significant reductions in anxiety and/or concern about anxiety were found from baseline to follow-up for three participants. Reliable reductions were also found for some participants in anxiety and/or depression, and improvements in mindfulness, self-compassion, and executive function, on self- and/or parent-reported standardised measures, mostly maintained at follow-up. Qualitative themes included the importance of the group and usefulness of mindfulness practices in everyday life.
The study concludes that an MBCT-based intervention may be effective for anxiety in adolescents, but further research with a randomised controlled trial is required.