Journal Article

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Self-Discrepancy in Recovered Depressed Patients with a History of Depression and Suicidality

Fennell, Melanie V., Duggan, Danielle S., Crane, Catherine, Barnhofer, Thorsten, Hepburn, Silvia, Williams, J. Mark G.

2008

Overview

Long-term vulnerability to depression is related to the presence of perceived discrepancies between the actual self and ideal self-guides. This study examined the immediate effects of an 8-week course of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on self-discrepancies in individuals currently in recovery, with a history of affective disorder that included suicidal ideation and behaviour. Results indicated significant time  ×  group interactions for both ideal self similarity and ideal self likelihood ratings, primarily accounted for by increases in self-discrepancy from pre-test to post-test in the waiting list group which were not seen in those receiving MBCT. Changes in self-discrepancy were not associated with changes in residual depressive symptoms, but in the MBCT group there was a significant association between increases in ideal self similarity and the adoption of more adaptive ideal self-guides post treatment. MBCT may protect against increases in self-discrepancy in people vulnerable to relapse to depression and may also facilitate a shift in the goals of self-regulation.

• Publisher: Springer US,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Clinical Psychology / Cognition / Cognitive Psychology / Cognitive therapy / Discrepancies / Emotional disorders / Ideal self / Medical treatment / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Mental depression / Mindfulness / Original Article / Patients / Psychotherapy / Quality of Life Research / Relapse / Residual symptoms / Self control / Self destructive behavior / Self regulation / Suicidal behavior / Suicidal ideation / Suicide / Suicides & suicide attempts / Therapy / Vulnerability