Can we predict who benefits from mindfulness the most? Exploring baseline variables that influence the response to mindfulness interventions in young adults

Objectives: The benefits of mindfulness are well-documented, but limited research has explored sources of individual differences in outcomes of mindfulness interventions although understanding this can improve their efficacy and adherence. This study aimed to investigate the role of baseline participant characteristics in predicting the response to a low-dose mindfulness intervention in young adults. Methods: Participants were 161 students (M=22.1, SD=3.22) recruited from the University of Amsterdam who were enrolled in either a mindfulness-based intervention course or an unrelated psychology course that served as the control group. General linear regression analyses were conducted to determine the predictors of improvements in emotion regulation from pre- to post-intervention. Specifically, the study examined the influence of trait mindfulness, mental health, well-being, intervention expectations, perceived recent stress, and lifetime stress on changes in emotion regulation. Results: The results showed that baseline trait mindfulness was the only significant predictor of change in emotion regulation after the intervention (b = 0.25, SE = 0.13, p <0.05). Participants with lower scores on trait mindfulness at baseline showed a greater improvement in emotion regulation. Other baseline participant characteristics, including mental health, well-being, intervention expectations, perceived recent stress, and lifetime stress, did not significantly predict changes in emotion regulation.Conclusions: This study contributes to the understanding of individual differences in mindfulness interventions and highlights the importance of measuring trait mindfulness before implementing such interventions. Further research is needed to explore additional predictors and replicate these findings in different populations and intervention formats.