Mindful Emotion Regulation: Exploring the Neurocognitive Mechanisms behind Mindfulness

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to review some of the psychological and neural mechanisms behind mindfulness practice in order to explore the unique factors that account for its positive impact on emotional regulation and health. After reviewing the mechanisms of mindfulness and its effects on clinical populations we will consider how the practice of mindfulness contributes to the regulation of emotions. We argue that mindfulness has achieved effective outcomes in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and other psychopathologies through the contribution of mindfulness to emotional regulation. We consider the unique factors that mindfulness meditation brings to the process of emotion regulation that may account for its effectiveness. We review experimental evidence that points towards the unique effects of mindfulness specifically operating over and above the regulatory effects of cognitive reappraisal mechanisms. A neuroanatomical circuit that leads to mindful emotion regulation is also suggested. This paper thereby aims to contribute to proposed models of mindfulness for research and theory building by proposing a specific model for the unique psychological and neural processes involved in mindful detachment that account for the effects of mindfulness over and above the effects accounted for by other well-established emotional regulation processes such as cognitive reappraisal.

Brief mindfulness, mental health, and cognitive processes: A randomized controlled trial

“…The increase in levels of psychological well‐being in the participants of the experimental group supports the positive impact of mindfulness on the mental health of people who have participated in other studies on its effectiveness (Grecucci et al, ). Clearer thinking and better internal and external relations (Moscoso & Lengacher, ) will generate more positive behaviors or lifestyles (Cepeda‐Hernández, ).…”

“…In recent years, research on mindfulness has focused on this type of intervention's mechanisms of action (Campos, Cebolla, & Mira, ; Grecucci, Pappaianni, Siugzdaite, Theuninck, & Job, ). Results have suggested that mindfulness acts directly on erroneous cognitive processes, so that trained participants experience less cognitive rumination (Paul, Stanton, Greeson, Smoski, & Wang, ) and better emotional regulation (Compare, Zarbo, Shonin, Van Gordon, & Marconi, ), which makes them less vulnerable to developing depressive symptoms or presenting a relapse (Barnhofer et al, ).…”

Clarifying the Associations between Mindfulness Meditation and Emotion: Daily High‐ and Low‐arousal Emotions and Emotional Variability

“…Results broadly suggest that MM reduces pain, decreases anxiety and depression, and promotes well‐being (Eberth & Sedlmeier, ; Marchand, ). A number of mechanisms have been proposed to elucidate how MM promotes health and well‐being, with stress (Creswell & Lindsay, ), emotion regulation (Grecucci, Pappaianni, Siugzdaite, Theuninck, & Job, ), negative emotion (NE; Sedlmeier et al., ), and positive emotion (PE; Garland et al., ) all identified as potential pathways. However, there are theoretical inconsistencies in the literature regarding associations between MM and PE; some theories suggest that MM should promote PE whereas others suggest that MM should attenuate high‐arousal emotions regardless of whether they are positive or negative in valence (Garland et al., ; Goyal et al., ; Kabat‐Zinn, ).…”

Eastern Thoughts, Western Practices: Meditation and Mindfulness Relaxation Activities for Learning and Well‐Being in Adult and Higher Education

“…Practicing them enables a person to witness his/her own sensations, emotions and thoughts without judgment, which can help to acknowledge and accept as it is across daily life (Grecucci, Pappaianni, Siugzdaite, Theuninck, & Job, 2015), gaining awareness and insight toward the relief of suffering and greater happiness (Schmidt, 2004), yet with openness, curiosity, and awareness (Fulton, 2018). Practicing them enables a person to witness his/her own sensations, emotions and thoughts without judgment, which can help to acknowledge and accept as it is across daily life (Grecucci, Pappaianni, Siugzdaite, Theuninck, & Job, 2015), gaining awareness and insight toward the relief of suffering and greater happiness (Schmidt, 2004), yet with openness, curiosity, and awareness (Fulton, 2018).…”

“…Research continues to support effectiveness of activities and programs broadly connected to mindfulness and meditation exercise. Practicing them enables a person to witness his/her own sensations, emotions and thoughts without judgment, which can help to acknowledge and accept as it is across daily life (Grecucci, Pappaianni, Siugzdaite, Theuninck, & Job, 2015), gaining awareness and insight toward the relief of suffering and greater happiness (Schmidt, 2004), yet with openness, curiosity, and awareness (Fulton, 2018).…”