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Group behavioural activation and mindfulness therapy for the well-being of non-clinical adults: a preliminary open trial

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 December 2009

Trevor G. Mazzucchelli ,
Clare S. Rees  and
Robert T. Kane
Trevor G. Mazzucchelli*
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, WA, Australia
Clare S. Rees
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, WA, Australia
Robert T. Kane
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, WA, Australia
*
*Author for correspondence: T. G. Mazzucchelli, Curtin University of Technology – School of Psychology, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6859, Australia. (email: trevorm@iinet.net.au)
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Abstract

Using 16 non-clinical adults from the community, this study examined the effects on well-being of a group intervention consisting of a 4-week behavioural activation component followed by a 3-week mindfulness component, finishing with an integrating closure session. Results from intention-to-treat analyses showed moderate and significant improvements in psychological distress and several indices of well-being after the behavioural activation component. These improvements continued through the mindfulness component of the intervention such that effects were greater after participants had received the complete intervention. Half of the participants reported reliable and clinically significant improvement in the amount of time they felt happy after the intervention and a quarter of participants reported improvement at follow-up. Behavioural activation and mindfulness interventions may provide a useful framework for further research with non-clinical populations who wish to enhance their well-being and learn skills that may protect them against depression and other mental health problems.

Keywords

Behavioural activationhappinessmindfulnesspositive psychologytreatmentwell-being
Type
Original Research
Information
the Cognitive Behaviour Therapist , Volume 2 , Issue 4 , December 2009 , pp. 256 - 271
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2009

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References

Recommended follow-up reading

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