Abstract
One of the consequences of extensive mindfulness practice is a reduction of anxiety and depression, but also a capacity to regulate negative emotions. In this study, we explored four key questions concerning mindfulness training: (1) What are the processes by which mindfulness regulates our emotions? (2) Can mindfulness be applied to social emotions? (3) Does mindfulness training affect emotionally driven behavior towards others? (4) Does mindfulness alter physiological reactivity? To address these questions, we tested, in two experiments, the ability of mindfulness meditators to regulate interpersonal emotions (Experiment 1) and interactive behaviors (Experiment 2) as compared to naïve controls. To better understand the mechanisms by which mindfulness regulates emotions, we asked participants to apply two strategies: a cognitive strategy (mentalizing, a form of reappraisal focused on the intentions of others) and an experiential strategy derived from mindfulness principles (mindful detachment). Both groups were able to regulate interpersonal emotions by means of cognitive (mentalizing) and experiential (mindful detachment) strategies. In Experiment 1, a simple effect of meditation, independent from the implementation of the strategies, resulted in reduced emotional and physiological reactivity, as well as in increased pleasantness for meditators when compared to controls, providing evidence of baseline regulation. In Experiment 2, one visible effect of the strategy was that meditators outperformed controls in the experiential (mindful detachment) but not in the cognitive (mentalize) strategy, showing stronger modulation of their interactive behavior (less punishments) and providing evidence of a strategic behavioral regulation. Based on these results, we suggest that mindfulness can influence interpersonal emotional reactions through an experiential mechanism, both at a baseline level and a strategic level, thereby altering the subjective and physiological perception of emotions, but also biasing interactive social behavior.
Highlights
In the last twenty years, several studies have shown that mindfulness meditation is associated with increased well-being and emotional balance [1]
We explored four key questions concerning mindfulness training: (1) What are the processes by which mindfulness regulates our emotions? (2) Can mindfulness be applied to social emotions? (3) Does mindfulness training affect emotionally driven behavior towards others? (4) Does mindfulness alter physiological reactivity? To address these questions, we tested, in two experiments, the ability of mindfulness meditators to regulate interpersonal emotions (Experiment 1) and interactive behaviors (Experiment 2) as compared to naïve controls
To better understand the mechanisms by which mindfulness regulates emotions, we asked participants to apply two strategies: a cognitive strategy and an experiential strategy derived from mindfulness principles
Summary
In the last twenty years, several studies have shown that mindfulness meditation is associated with increased well-being and emotional balance [1]. The authors tested twelve experienced and ten beginner meditators who viewed pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral pictures while undergoing a functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) scanning Results showed that both groups were able to experience reduced emotional reactions at subjective and neural level when asked to attend to the pictures in a mindfulness awareness state. Mindfulness meditators and controls were confronted with partner’s selfish or altruistic behaviors and asked to report their emotional reactions (subjective ratings and physiological responses in Experiment 1) and their emotionally driven behaviors (rejection rates in Experiment 2) In addition they were asked to implement, one at a time, two emotion regulation strategies (“mentalizing” or interpersonal reappraisal, and “mindful detachment”), so we could test the possibility that the positive effects of mindfulness on emotional and behavioral reactions are related to the improved ability to cognitively reappraise and/or mentally detach oneself from events. We used a baseline condition to verify whether differences between the two groups were present independently of the strategies adopted, and independently of the mindfulness training
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