Changes in Mind-Wandering and Cognitive Fusion Through Mindfulness Group Therapy for Depression and Anxiety

Big Five personality and mind wandering in athletes: mediating role of trait anxiety

Objective

Mind wandering is a common phenomenon among athletes during training and competition, and can lead to poor performance. We attempt to clarify which personality type is more prone to mind wandering and the role of trait anxiety between them.

Methods

Six hundred and eighty-one athletes participated in this cross sectional study. Participants completed the Athlete Mind Wandering Scale, The Chinese adjectives scale of Big-Five factor personality short scale version and Pre-Competition Emotion Scale-Trait questionnaires. The survey data was tested for common method biases, Pearson correlation analysis, and structural equation model by SPSS 25.0 and Mplus 7.0.

Results

Common method biases can be accepted in this study. (1) Athletes' neuroticism was significantly and positively correlated with trait anxiety and mind wandering, respectively, athletes' extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness were significantly and negatively correlated with trait anxiety and mind wandering respectively; the athletes' trait anxiety was significantly and positively correlated with mind wandering; (2) By constructing mediating models, the direct effects of athletes' extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness on mind wandering were insignificant. The mediating effect of athletes' trait anxiety between the five personalities and mind wandering was significant.

Conclusion

Trait anxiety in athletes plays a fully mediating role between the relationship of personality and mind wandering. Athletes' extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness can all have an impact on mind wandering through the mediating role of trait anxiety. Athletes can use the mediating role of trait anxiety to intervene the frequency of mind wandering.

Mind wandering in anxiety disorders: A status report

Many investigations have targeted the subject of worry in anxiety disorders. Worry can be regarded as a subtype of mind wandering (MW), which is undeliberate, perseverative, negatively-valenced, and mainly future-oriented. Nevertheless, until now only a few studies have explored the role of overall MW in the origin and course of anxiety disorders. To foster progress in this field, we briefly describe and discuss relevant studies addressing MW in subjects with anxiety disorders or symptoms or disorders associated with anxiety symptoms. Provisional synthesis suggests that: a) the overall amount of MW is positively correlated with anxiety symptoms; b) MW characteristics reflecting worry and rumination appear to be relevant in anxiety; c) comorbid depressive and ADHD symptoms may contribute to excessive MW in anxiety; d) MW-related therapeutic interventions may be useful as complementary treatments in anxiety disorders. However, more studies related to MW in anxiety disorders or symptoms are necessary to corroborate and extend these initial findings. Such investigations should ideally combine experience sampling with self-rating assessments of both MW and worry/rumination.

Mental Pain Correlates with Mind Wandering, Self-Reflection, and Insight in Individuals with Psychotic Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study

Understanding the cognitive processes that contribute to mental pain in individuals with psychotic disorders is important for refining therapeutic strategies and improving patient outcomes. This study investigated the potential relationship between mental pain, mind wandering, and self-reflection and insight in individuals diagnosed with psychotic disorders. We included individuals diagnosed with a 'schizophrenia spectrum disorder' according to DSM-5 criteria. Patients in the study were between 18 and 65 years old, clinically stable, and able to provide informed consent. A total of 34 participants, comprising 25 males and 9 females with an average age of 41.5 years (SD 11.5) were evaluated. The Psychache Scale (PAS), the Mind Wandering Deliberate and Spontaneous Scale (MWDS), and the Self-Reflection and Insight Scale (SRIS) were administered. Statistical analyses involved Spearman's rho correlations, controlled for potential confounders with partial correlations, and mediation and moderation analyses to understand the indirect effects of MWDS and SRIS on PAS and their potential interplay. Key findings revealed direct correlations between PAS and MWDS and inverse correlations between PAS and SRIS. The mediation effects on the relationship between the predictors and PAS ranged from 9.22% to 49.8%. The largest statistically significant mediation effect was observed with the SRIS-I subscale, suggesting that the self-reflection and insight component may play a role in the impact of mind wandering on mental pain. No evidence was found to suggest that any of the variables could function as relationship moderators for PAS. The results underscore the likely benefits of interventions aimed at reducing mind wandering and enhancing self-reflection in psychotic patients (e.g., metacognitive therapy, mindfulness). Further research will be essential to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

A longitudinal study of perinatal depression and the risk role of cognitive fusion and perceived stress on postpartum depression

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To explore fluctuations in perinatal depression based on physiological, psychological and interpersonal dimensions to analyse risk factors across three time points: in the third trimester and at weeks 1 and 6 postpartum.

BACKGROUND

Pregnant women experience depression at multiple time points and require screening. Studies have shown protective and negative factors related to postpartum depression. Cognitive fusion refers to an individual's emotions and behaviours that are regulated and influenced by that individual's own cognitive overregulation, especially when facing stress. This is an important psychological factor related to depression, but little is known about it in pregnant women.

DESIGN

A longitudinal study was conducted from June 2019-July 2020, and the findings are reported following the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines.

METHODS

Pregnant women (n = 207) were recruited, and a questionnaire survey was performed at 32-34 weeks of pregnancy and at weeks 1 and 6 postpartum. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was performed to analyse the changes in depression over time. Regression analysis and linear mixed modelling were used to identify risk factors. Pearson's correlation analysis was performed to analyse the relationships between variables.

RESULTS

Of the pregnant women, 36.70% experienced antenatal depression and prolonged depression with the onset of postpartum depression (12.21%). Some depressive moods disappeared spontaneously after delivery (47.37%). Perceived stress was the highest risk predictor of postpartum depression (β = 0.332), followed by cognitive fusion (β = 0.178), which remained stable over time and might have been positively related to having a vulnerable personality (0.2 < r < 0.4). Social support plays a positive role in lowering postpartum depression (β = -0.027).

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in depression were influenced by multiple factors with stability and predictability across time. Psychological dimensions, such as perceived stress and cognitive fusion, are risk factors for developing postpartum depression and antenatal depression.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Pregnant women can be divided into depressive cohorts according to screening at different time points to provide targeted interventions.

The Validity and Reliability of the Short Form of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Japan

Background

A brief measure of dispositional mindfulness is important for applied research on mindfulness. Although short forms of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), which measures the five aspects of mindfulness (i.e., observing, describing, acting with awareness, non-judging, and non-reactivity), have been developed worldwide, the validity and reliability of the Japanese version has not been examined. This study aims to examine the validity and reliability of the 24-item and 15-item versions of the FFMQ in Japan, which are the most widely used versions worldwide.

Methods

Online surveys were conducted for 889 adults in Japan through an online survey company using self-reported questionnaires including the FFMQ to confirm the factor structure and validity. To examine construct validity, we examined the relationship between the short form of FFMQ and mind wandering, interoceptive awareness, experiential avoidance, cognitive fusion, openness, neuroticism, self-compassion, depression, and anxiety, which have been theoretically or empirically shown to be related to mindfulness. In addition, 137 adults responded to the FFMQ again, after four weeks, for the test-retest reliability.

Results

The correlated five-factor and four-factor (excluding observing) models and the higher-order factor hierarchical model did not show sufficient goodness of fit, while the 24-item version showed acceptable fit when uncorrelated method factors loaded on by the positive and negative (reverse-scored) items were added. However, the 15-item version did not show acceptable fits for any of the models. Regarding reliability, the 24-item version showed acceptable values. In terms of the relationship between the original and the shortened version of the FFMQ, the 24-item version shared approximately 80% of the variance with the original one. In addition, although the wording effects of positive and negative items seemed to affect the correlations between the FFMQ and the other scales, the associations with related concepts were as predicted generally, supporting the construct validity of the short form of the FFMQ.

Conclusion

In Japan, the 24-item version of FFMQ showed acceptable validity and reliability similar to the original version, and we recommend that the 24-item version be used.

The relationship between schizotypal traits and satisfaction with life among Chinese young adults: The mediating effect of trait anxiety and mind wandering

Schizotypal traits have been found to be negatively associated with satisfaction with life but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. This study investigated the association between schizotypal traits and satisfaction with life and explored the mediating role of trait anxiety and mind wandering in the relationship between those two variables in a sample of Chinese young adults. One hundred and two individuals with high schizotypal traits and 104 individuals with low schizotypal traits were screened using the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire. They completed a series of questionnaires including the Satisfaction with Life Scale, Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Mind Wandering Questionnaire. Results showed that: First, the high schizotypal trait group showed lower satisfaction with life, and higher trait anxiety and mind wandering frequency than the low schizotypal trait group. Second, the high schizotypal trait group, trait anxiety, and mind wandering negatively predicted satisfaction with life. Third, mediation analyses showed that all indirect effect paths in the mediation model were significant, that is, trait anxiety and mind wandering alone and together mediated the relationship between schizotypal trait group and satisfaction with life. In conclusion, high schizotypal trait is a risk factor for low satisfaction with life. The association between schizotypal traits and satisfaction with life was mediated by the combination of trait anxiety and mind wandering. This study has implications for improving life satisfaction in individuals with high schizotypal traits.

Intentional and unintentional mind-wandering in Korsakoff syndrome

Mind-wandering refers to the intentional and unintentional tendency to withdraw from the external environment and engage in internally generated thoughts. We investigated intentional and unintentional mind-wandering in patients with Korsakoff syndrome (KS). We invited 31 patients with KS and 33 control participants to answer a questionnaire probing intentional and unintentional mind-wandering. Analysis demonstrated higher intentional and unintentional mind-wandering in patients with KS than in controls. However, no significant differences were observed between intentional and unintentional mind-wandering in patients with KS or in controls. Significant positive correlations were observed between intentional and unintentional mind-wandering and depression in patients with KS but not with cognitive controls. Our results demonstrate a high intentional and unintentional tendency in patients with KS to shift attention away from the external environment to internal thoughts/feelings that are unrelated to the ongoing task. This tendency may be associated with the activation of negative thoughts/beliefs, as observed in depression.