Positive Health Online

Abstract

LINDSAY and COLLEAGUES, 1 Carnegie Mellon University, United States.  elindsay@andrew.cmu.edu ; 2 Carnegie Mellon University, United States.  creswell@cmu.edu  discuss how Monitor and Acceptance Theory (MAT) contributes to mindfulness science.

Background

Despite evidence linking trait mindfulness and mindfulness training with a broad range of effects, still little is known about its underlying active mechanisms.

Methodology

Mindfulness is commonly defined as (1) the ongoing monitoring of present-moment experience (2) with an orientation of acceptance. Building on conceptual, clinical, and empirical work, we describe a testable theoretical account to help explain mindfulness effects on cognition, affect, stress, and health outcomes.

Results

Specifically, Monitor and Acceptance Theory (MAT) posits that (1), by enhancing awareness of one's experiences, the skill of attention monitoring explains how mindfulness improves cognitive functioning outcomes, yet this same skill can increase affective reactivity. Second (2), by modifying one's relation to monitored experience, acceptance is necessary for reducing affective reactivity, such that attention monitoring and acceptance skills together explain how mindfulness improves negative affectivity, stress, and stress-related health outcomes.

Conclusion

We discuss how MAT contributes to mindfulness science, suggest plausible alternatives to the account, and offer specific predictions for future research. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

References

Emily K Lindsay  1 , J David Creswell  2.  Mechanisms of mindfulness training: Monitor and Acceptance Theory (MAT). Clin Psychol Rev.  ;51:48-59. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2016.10.011. Epub Nov 5 2016 . Feb 2017.