The impact of mindfulness on paranoia and psychotic-like experiences in non-clinical populations

Abstract

The aim of this thesis was to explore the role of mindfulness on psychotic-like experiences (PLEs), and specifically paranoia, within non-clinical populations. A systematic review and empirical research project are reported.
Chapter 1 is a bridging chapter that introduces the thesis rationale and aims, and briefly outlines a two-part research project: a systematic review (Chapter 2) and an empirical research study (Chapter 3). It presents the critical realist ontology and post-positivist epistemology that underpin the research, alongside a reflection on the author’s values and learning. Additionally, a dissemination plan is detailed.
Chapter 2 reports a systematic review synthesising existing research exploring mindfulness and psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) in non-clinical populations. It addressed three research questions examining the relationship between mindfulness and PLEs as well as the effect of MBIs on both PLEs and mindfulness skills. Searching five databases (PsycINFO, CINAHL, MEDLINE, Web of Science Core Collection and ProQuest) identified 17 eligible papers, and a narrative synthesis and meta-analyses were performed. Eleven studies explored the relationship between mindfulness and PLEs, and a meta-analysis found a small, significant, negative association (n = 8; pooled correlation = –0.25; 95% Confidence Intervals [CI]: –0.37 to –0.13, p < .001). Five studies showed significant reductions in favour of the MBI, but the summary effect was not significant in the meta-analysis (n = 5; mean effect size = 0.09; 95% CI: -0.61 to 0.79; p = 0.80). MBIs increased mindfulness skills with a moderate effect size (n = 3; mean effect size = 0.58; 95% CI: -1.09 to -0.07, p = .03). These findings suggests high levels of mindfulness were related to reduced PLEs. And although MBIs were found to consistently improve mindfulness skills, there was inconclusive evidence for the effectiveness of MBIs in reducing PLEs. Future research could examine if specific mindfulness facets have a stronger association with PLEs, assess whether explicitly referencing PLEs within MBIs enhances their effectiveness, and investigate a range of clinical outcomes.
Chapter 3 reports a secondary data analysis of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the effect of an online MBI on paranoia in a UK and Hong Kong non-clinical sample (n = 447). It also investigated whether reductions in paranoia were explained by increases in mindfulness. Participants completed an MBI (2-weeks of listening to daily 10-minute mindfulness meditation) or active control (2-weeks of daily listening to 10-minutes of classical music). Paranoia and mindfulness were measured at baseline, post-intervention and 4-weeks follow-up. Intention to Treat (ITT) analyses found a significant time and group interaction on paranoia with a small effect size (p =.02; ηp2=.009). Per protocol (PP) analyses and the mediation analysis found non-significant results. The study provides partial support for the use of online MBIs to reduce paranoia in a non-clinical population, especially for individuals experiencing higher levels of paranoia. Future research could explore underlying mechanisms of MBIs, optimise MBI content, and target more diverse populations.

More information

Identifiers

ORCID for Katrina Mysko: orcid.org/0000-0001-8156-2467

ORCID for Lyn Ellett: orcid.org/0000-0002-6051-3604

ORCID for Pete Lawrence: orcid.org/0000-0001-6181-433X

Catalogue record

Export record