Changes in Mindfulness and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Among Veterans Enrolled in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

Abstract

These results extend previous research, provide preliminary support for changes in mindfulness as a viable mechanism of treatment, and have a number of potential practical and theoretical implications.

The influence of mindfulness, self‐compassion, psychological flexibility, and posttraumatic stress disorder on disability and quality of life over time in war veterans

“…The current results shed light on why mindfulness‐ and acceptance‐based interventions may have utility for alleviating suffering and disability in people with PTSD. Findings from several studies suggest that mindfulness‐based treatments have several salutary benefits for traumatized populations, including civilians (Kelly & Garland, ) and veterans (Polusny et al., ; Stephenson et al., ). Taken together, current and past findings suggest that mindfulness‐based interventions have potential for assisting veterans in achieving meaningful functional recovery following warzone trauma exposure.…”

“…When relied on in the long-term, these strategies become maladaptive and can contribute to PTSD (Hiraoka et al, 2015;Meyer, Morissette, Kimbrel, Kruse, & Gulliver, 2013;Orcutt, Bonanno, Hannan, & Miron, 2014). Increasingly, mental health providers are turning to mindfulness-and acceptance-based therapies, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT; Hayes, Strosahl, & Wilson, 2012;Hermann, Meyer, Schnurr, Batten, & Walser, 2016;Yadavaia, Hayes, & Vilardaga, 2014) and others (Neff & Germer, 2013;Polusny et al, 2015;Stephenson, Simpson, Martinez, & Kearney, 2016), that seek to bolster mindful awareness in an attempt to counteract these avoidance-based responses to trauma by promoting an adaptive and open stance.…”

Mindfulness-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder: a review of the treatment literature and neurobiological evidence

“…With respect to mechanisms of change, aggregate data from 2 studies by Kearney and colleagues 132,133 and 2 unpublished studies reported changes in nonreactivity and acting with awareness on the FFMQ to be most strongly associated with improvements in PTSD symptoms, particularly hyperarousal symptoms. 141 …”

Increased Mindfulness Skills as Predictors of Reduced Trauma‐Related Guilt in Treatment‐Seeking Veterans

“…However, although CPT reduces trauma‐related guilt for many individuals, some continue to report high levels of guilt despite successful treatment completion (Owens, Cox, & Chard, ). In recent years, a number of researchers (Felleman, Stewart, Simpson, Heppner, & Kearney, ; Kearney, McDermott, Malte, Martinez, & Simpson, , ; Kelly & Garland, ; King et al., ; Polusny et al., ; Stephenson, Simpson, Martinez, & Kearney, ) have explored the effectiveness of mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) in reducing PTSD symptom severity. Other treatment programs utilizing traditional evidence‐based treatments for PTSD also include various psychoeducation groups as an adjunct to treatment, some of which focus on teaching participants mindfulness skills (e.g., Owens, Walter, Chard, & Davis, ).…”