An ongoing process of reconnection: A qualitative exploration of mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy for adults in remission from depression

Abstract

Objectives. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is an 8-week relapseprevention intervention designed for people who have experienced multiple episodes of depression and remain vulnerable to relapse. Previous qualitative explorations of the effects of MBCT for people in remission from depression have suggested a number of themes regarding changes arising from participating in MBCT ranging from awareness, agency, perspective, group processes, self-related change, and new ways of understanding depression. We aimed to qualitatively explore how participants in remission from depression experienced MBCT both post-MBCT and during a follow-up period.Methods. In a preference-choice trial design, 35 participants took part in qualitative interviews and assessments post-MBCT and at three time points during a 12-month follow-up. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.Results. Two overarching themes were developed as follows: (1) 'reconnection with experience, self, and others' and (2) 'acknowledging an ongoing process of change'. In theme one, sub-themes captured participants' experiences of increasing levels of awareness of their experience (e.g., thoughts, emotions, sensations, and present moment) from which they described changes in their relationship with experience describing increases in control, choice, acceptance, and calm. Participants described shifts towards reconnection with aspects of the self and relationships with others. In themeThis is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

A systematic review and meta‐ethnographic synthesis of Mindfulness‐based Cognitive Therapy for people with major depression

“…Many participants reflected on how they developed a proactive way of practicing; some ‘used mindfulness practice to help themselves to cope with crises’ (Bihari & Mullan, 2014 ) and used ‘mindfulness practices reactively when feeling low or stressed’ (Williams et al, 2021 ). However, for others it became difficult to engage in ‘when their mood was in decline’ (Lilja et al, 2015 ) or to believe that practices could help ‘when feeling very distressed’ and so ‘did not practice’ (Ames et al, 2014 ).…”

“…Ratings were carried out by the lead researcher and two of the co‐authors (MM; MS), with discrepancies discussed and resolved as required. In an effort to avoid bias, only MM and MS conducted the quality appraisal for the final paper (Williams et al, 2021 ) as this paper was conducted by the lead author (KW); neither MM or MS were involved in that publication.…”

“…The seven steps were conducted primarily by the lead researcher (KW) alongside regular discussion and review of key concepts, themes and decisions at each of the seven steps. Of note, in an effort to reduce bias, the themes for the final included paper (Williams et al, 2021 ) were reviewed by a co‐author (MM) as this was the lead researcher's own publication. The studies were uploaded into the qualitative analysis software package NVivo (QSR International, 1999 ), and the results and discussion sections were coded verbatim, using the original authors' own words with minor paraphrasing.…”

“…Many (Williams et al, 2021) and feeling 'able to break these destructive thought cycles' (Murphy & Lahtinen, 2015). In one study which focused specifically on body awareness, participants commented on a sense of increased control over their body, recognizing its power over reducing attachment to negative thinking (mindful walking engaged 'thinking, leaving less room for unpleasant thoughts'; Worsfold, 2013).…”

“…gradual change to what are often lifelong patterns of relating to experience, self, and others' (Williams et al, 2021).…”