The Process of Engaging in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy as a Partnership: A Grounded Theory Study

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) has been evidenced as a relapse prevention strategy for depression. Depression often influences and is influenced by intimate partnerships; thus, it makes sense to include both individuals in interventions. This study aimed to develop a theory of the process of engaging in MBCT as a partnership. As there was no theory or research that could be directly applied to understand the process of engaging in MBCT for depression, as a partnership, an exploratory grounded theory study seemed appropriate to generate rich data and a theory. Twelve participants who had attended an MBCT course as a partnership were interviewed. Analysis and interviews ran simultaneously, so that initial findings influenced subsequent data collection. Constant comparison of data and higher-level concepts facilitated the generation of a theory grounded in the data. The proposed theory captured the ‘process of learning new mindfulness skills together’. The partnership’s rationale for pursuing MBCT together seemed to influence engagement with the course. Participants’ accounts suggested that learning mindfulness skills together led to shifts in the relationship and how they managed depression. While partnerships learned similar mindfulness skills as in individual MBCT courses, learning as a partnership seemed to facilitate home practice, attendance and a sense of mutual support, which led to unique outcomes for the partnership and their sense of responsibility for each others’ well-being. It may be helpful for course facilitators to consider inviting intimate partners to attend where both partners are suffering or there is a willing partnership.