Effects of a Short Online Mindfulness Intervention on Relationship Satisfaction and Partner Acceptance: the Moderating Role of Trait Mindfulness

Abstract

Objectives Recently, researchers have started to investigate the potential interpersonal effects of mindfulness in the context of romantic relationships. However, most of these studies have focused on trait mindfulness and its association with relationship outcome measures. We employed a randomized, controlled design to investigate the effects of mindfulness practice on relationship quality. We also explored the role of partner acceptance as a possible mechanism of change and investigated whether baseline levels of trait mindfulness would moderate intervention effects. Methods One hundred and thirteen participants in a romantic relationship (89% women; M age = 27.27 years, SD = 8.31 years) living in the Netherlands participated in either a low-dose, online mindfulness-based intervention or a psycho-education control intervention for 12 days. Results Results indicated that general relationship satisfaction and partner acceptance increased for both conditions (F satisfaction (1,93) = 5.94, η 2 partial = 0.06, p = 0.017; F acceptance (1,93) = 4.63, η 2 partial = 0.05, p = 0.034). Among participants with relatively low baseline levels of trait mindfulness, relationship satisfaction improved more so in the mindfulness than that in the control condition (trait mindfulness × condition: B = 0.34, SE = 0.15, β = 0.40, p = 0.024). Conclusions Short, online, self-administered mindfulness-based interventions may positively impact romantic relationship quality and might be particularly effective for participants with low levels of trait mindfulness. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Effects of a Mindfulness and Acceptance-Based Program on Intimate Relationships in a Youth Sample: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…However, these improvements did not persist over time in the active control group but persisted in the experimental group. This result is consistent with the findings of another study that also used an active control group and whose effects were evidenced at follow-up [52]. The exception was intimacy avoidance, in which the improvements persisted at follow-up.…”

“…This difficulty ensuring adherence to the program does not seem to be unique to our study. We found similar limitations due to group randomization in experimental studies on intimate relationships [52]. However, despite this, the data obtained were consistent, with medium and large effect sizes.…”

“…Moreover, it would be useful to experimentally assess the effectiveness of mindfulness and ACT approaches separately. Furthermore, it would be necessary to explore whether factors such as the length of the intervention and an online and self-reported format are effective or not at improving the quality of intimate relationships [52]; this would help to determine whether such relationships can be improved or not considering the ACT psychological flexibility model.…”

Comparing the effects of a mindfulness versus relaxation intervention on romantic relationship wellbeing

“…Although the inclusion of an active control condition made the current findings perhaps more ambiguous and difficult to interpret, it highlights the importance of studying whether changes associated with mindfulness intervention can be attributed uniquely to mindfulness. In many previous articles on mindfulness research, the conclusion that mindfulness positively affects a certain outcome of interest is often unwarranted when an active control group is lacking 32 , 40 . The current findings raised a number of issues (as discussed above) that may remain unaddressed when control conditions are lacking, underscoring the need for active control groups to get a more nuanced and more comprehensive understanding of mindfulness and its effects, both for the individual and the relationship.…”

“…Recently, Kappen and colleagues examined the effects of a low-dose mindfulness intervention on romantic relationship outcomes, as compared to a minimally active control condition 40 . In this study, one member of a couple engaged in a 12-day mindfulness intervention program.…”