Changes in Mindfulness Facets and Psychological Flexibility Associated with Changes in Depressive Symptoms in a Brief Acceptance and Value Based Intervention: An Exploratory Study

Increased knowledge of the type of skills training that is beneficial for producing long-term changes in depressive symptoms might help in the development of more effective brief interventions. This study aims to explore whether changes in mindfulness facets (KIMS) were differentially associated with changes in depressive symptoms (BDI) both immediately and 5 years after a brief 4-session intervention based on the psychological flexibility model. The data was a subpopulation of 33 participants who received a 4-session ACT-based treatment provided by student therapists. The measures were taken at pre-intervention, post-intervention and 5-year follow-up points in time. Acting with awareness and accepting without judgment as well as higher observing were associated with higher depressive symptoms at the pre-intervention. Changes in the levels of the accepting without judgment subscale during the treatment and paired combinations of different KIMS subscales were positively related to changes in depression. However, accepting without judgment seemed be important as it was the only facet related to long-term changes in depression either on its own or paired with other facets. Emphasis on strengthening the ability to accept experiences in an accepting and nonjudgmental way should be taken into account when developing and administering brief ACT-based interventions.