Open research questions in Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions

What the literature leaves open

• Investigate the associations among the constructs of interest in a meditator sample, - Examine the longitudinal associations of discernment and nonjudgment with mental health outcomes over a longer period

  Discerning Mindfulness or Nonjudging Mindfulness? Investigating the Relative Temporal Association of Discerning and Nonjudging Quality with Nonattachment and Mental Health · 2026 · DOI

• The component of being nonjudgmental in mindfulness has faced criticism. There is a need to investigate the longitudinal associations of discerning and nonjudging mindfulness qualities with mental health outcomes. Prior research has not fully examined the role of nonattachment in these associations.

  Discerning Mindfulness or Nonjudging Mindfulness? Investigating the Relative Temporal Association of Discerning and Nonjudging Quality with Nonattachment and Mental Health · 2026 · DOI

• The study identifies a gap in understanding the long-term links between spiritual mindfulness, sense of control, and psychological well-being in middle-aged and older adults. Prior research has suggested that sense of control declines with age, but the relationships between these variables are not well understood.

  A Decade Apart: Reciprocal Links Between Spiritual Mindfulness, Sense of Control, and Well-Being in Middle and Older Age Americans · 2026 · DOI

• The different population, protocol and evaluation measures could explain these variations. Replication studies using our ACT protocol are needed to understand if recovery rates reported here are representative. The VLQ scores demonstrated low internal consistency in this study given the structure and format of the measure [44].

  An Evaluation of Treatment Effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Outpatient Group Treatment of Adolescents · 2026 · DOI

• There is a need for effective therapeutic interventions to address mental health challenges arising in adolescence. Prior studies have shown variations in recovery rates for adolescents with anxiety and/or depressive disorders using group-based ACT. Replication studies using the ACT protocol are needed to understand if recovery rates reported in this study are representative.

  An Evaluation of Treatment Effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Outpatient Group Treatment of Adolescents · 2026 · DOI

• There is a need to evaluate the effectiveness of school-based interventions in reducing stress in children. Prior work has not fully explored the impact of mindfulness interventions on diurnal cortisol levels in children. There is a gap in understanding the feasibility and validity of using cortisol assessments in school-based settings.

  Preliminary Evidence of Changes in Diurnal Cortisol Following Exposure to a School-Based Curriculum Featuring Yoga and Mindfulness · 2026 · DOI

• One challenge is the time-intensive format of traditional mindfulness-based interventions, which may pose barriers for those with long shifts and unpredictable schedules. Another challenge is the need for effective stress management strategies to support the mental health of first responders. The study also faces the challenge of ensuring the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention components.

  Effects of a Smartphone-Based Mindfulness Intervention on Momentary Stress Among First Responders: a Micro-Randomized Trial · 2026 · DOI

• The gap in existing mindfulness-based interventions is their time-intensive formats, which may pose barriers for those with long shifts and unpredictable schedules. Smartphone-delivered mindfulness interventions offer a flexible alternative, but their effectiveness needs to be tested.

  Effects of a Smartphone-Based Mindfulness Intervention on Momentary Stress Among First Responders: a Micro-Randomized Trial · 2026 · DOI

• High attrition rates, with 46% of participants not completing both pre- and post-measures. The need for a randomized controlled trial to rigorously evaluate the effectiveness of ACT-based group interventions for young adults with SMI. The challenge of engaging young adults with SMI in interventions, with a substantial proportion of individuals attending fewer than four sessions.

  The Young Ones, pre-post results of a transdiagnostic ACT-training for young adults with Severe Mental Illness · 2026 · DOI

• A randomized controlled trial to rigorously evaluate the effectiveness of ACT-based group interventions for this population. Statistically comparing outcomes across different session doses.

  The Young Ones, pre-post results of a transdiagnostic ACT-training for young adults with Severe Mental Illness · 2026 · DOI

• The evidence supporting the effectiveness of universal mindfulness interventions for adolescents’ well-being is limited and hampered by methodological weaknesses. The study did not investigate the long-term effects of the intervention. The study only focused on the hedonic approach to well-being. The study did not control for other factors that may influence well-being.

  Effect of a Universal Mindfulness Program on Well-Being in Adolescents: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial · 2026 · DOI

• The evidence supporting the effectiveness of universal mindfulness interventions for adolescents’ well-being is limited. There is a lack of large-scale randomized controlled trials examining the effectiveness of universal mindfulness interventions on the well-being of adolescents.

  Effect of a Universal Mindfulness Program on Well-Being in Adolescents: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial · 2026 · DOI

• Quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control-group design, - Non-random allocation of participants to groups, - Small sample size (32 participants), - Limited to male cadet cross-country athletes

  Effects of an 8-week self-compassion-based mental preparation program on mood states and 3,000 m performance in cadet cross-country athletes · 2026 · DOI

• Investigate the effects of self-compassion-based mental preparation programs on female athletes, - Examine the long-term effects of self-compassion-based mental preparation programs on athletes' performance, - Compare the effectiveness of different self-compassion-based mental preparation programs

  Effects of an 8-week self-compassion-based mental preparation program on mood states and 3,000 m performance in cadet cross-country athletes · 2026 · DOI

• further investigation into the effects of Mindfulness and Heartfulness meditation programmes on mental health and wellbeing, - exploration of the efficacy of these approaches among different populations, - investigation into the long-term effects of these interventions

  A randomized controlled trial comparing Mindfulness and Heartfulness meditation programmes on stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms and wellbeing among distance-learning postgraduates · 2026 · DOI

• The efficacy of Mindfulness and Heartfulness programmes in improving mental health and wellbeing among distance-learning postgraduate students remains under-investigated. Prior research has focused on undergraduate students and general adult populations, with a lack of studies on distance-learning postgraduate students.

  A randomized controlled trial comparing Mindfulness and Heartfulness meditation programmes on stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms and wellbeing among distance-learning postgraduates · 2026 · DOI

• The conceptualization, definition, and operationalization of compassion in dementia caregiving remain inconsistent. There is a need to clarify how compassion is understood and applied in dementia caregiving. The review aims to address this gap by examining evidence sources that describe how compassion is conceptualized, applied, and measured in dementia caregiving.

  Conceptualizations of compassion in the context of dementia caregiving: A scoping review protocol · 2026 · DOI

• The challenge of modifying implicit associations to support recovery in patients with opioid use disorder. The difficulty of developing effective interventions to reduce opioid use. The need to address the complex cognitive processes underlying addiction.

  Implicit opioid associations in OUD treatment: prediction of treatment response and moderation by mindfulness-oriented recovery enhancement · 2026 · DOI

• Future studies should investigate the mechanisms by which mindfulness-based interventions modify implicit associations. Further research is needed to determine the long-term effects of MORE on opioid use. Studies should examine the effectiveness of MORE in different populations, such as those with other substance use disorders.

  Implicit opioid associations in OUD treatment: prediction of treatment response and moderation by mindfulness-oriented recovery enhancement · 2026 · DOI

• The study faces the challenge of identifying the underlying mechanisms of exercise interventions in mental health. The study must address the complexity of examining mediators of treatment effects in a transdiagnostic sample. The study needs to ensure the validity and reliability of the measures used to assess the variables.

  Changes in repetitive negative thinking and stress perception mediate treatment effects of a transdiagnostic exercise intervention · 2026 · DOI

• The mechanisms underlying the transdiagnostic effect of exercise on global symptom severity are unclear. There is a need to examine the mediators of treatment effects in a transdiagnostic sample.

  Changes in repetitive negative thinking and stress perception mediate treatment effects of a transdiagnostic exercise intervention · 2026 · DOI

• the sample size of the study was determined for testing clinical effectiveness, and not for (moderated) mediation analyses, which therefore need to be seen as exploratory

  Mechanisms of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in difficult-to-treat depression: moderation and mediation analyses from the RESPOND trial · 2026 · DOI

• There is a lack of understanding of the mechanisms of action of MBCT in difficult-to-treat depression. The boundaries of MBCT in this population are not well established. Further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of MBCT in treating DTD and its core mechanism of decentering.

  Mechanisms of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in difficult-to-treat depression: moderation and mediation analyses from the RESPOND trial · 2026 · DOI

• The paper identifies the challenge of developing a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between diet, brain function, and emotional wellbeing. It also highlights the need to address the complex emotional, cognitive, and bodily processes involved in eating behaviors. The paper proposes to address these challenges by developing a novel therapeutic framework that incorporates mindful eating as a key strategy.

  Mindful eating as the next therapeutic frontier in nutritional psychiatry · 2026 · DOI

• Investigation into the precise mechanisms of mindful eating - Establishment of the direction of causality between mindful eating and mental health outcomes

  Mindful eating as the next therapeutic frontier in nutritional psychiatry · 2026 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions

• The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · 2003 · 10,158 citations
• Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness · Assessment · 2006 · 6,012 citations
• Mindfulness-based stress reduction and health benefits · Journal of Psychosomatic Research · 2004 · 3,124 citations
• The effect of mindfulness-based therapy on anxiety and depression: A meta-analytic review. · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · 2010 · 2,968 citations
• Mechanisms of mindfulness · Journal of Clinical Psychology · 2005 · 2,919 citations
• Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · 2000 · 2,426 citations
• How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective · Perspectives on Psychological Science · 2011 · 2,367 citations
• Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples · Assessment · 2008 · 2,262 citations
• Effects of mindfulness on psychological health: A review of empirical studies · Clinical Psychology Review · 2011 · 2,098 citations
• A Pilot Study and Randomized Controlled Trial of the Mindful Self‐Compassion Program · Journal of Clinical Psychology · 2012 · 1,781 citations

Most recent work

• Mindful eating as the next therapeutic frontier in nutritional psychiatry · Frontiers in Nutrition · 2026
• The relationship between mindfulness, competitive anxiety, and self-efficacy in Taekwondo athletes with/without injury: The moderated mediation model · Psychology of sport and exercise · 2026
• Mindfulness-Based Interventions to Implement the Psychological Well-Being of Nursing Students: A Scoping Review · Healthcare · 2026
• The dual effects of individual and contextual factors on adolescent problematic internet use: Machine learning approaches and SHAP explanations · Journal of Behavioral Addictions · 2026
• Mindfulness for heart and mind: Mindfulness-based blood pressure reduction randomized clinical trial for depression symptoms. · Health Psychology · 2026
• How Would You Treat a Friend? Part 2: Activities to Boost Self-Compassion within School Health Curricula · Journal of Physical Education Recreation & Dance · 2026
• Self‐Soothing Touch Reduces Momentary Stress, Fatigue, and Loneliness Comparable to Brief Meditation: A Randomised Controlled Trial · Stress and Health · 2026
• Mindfulness, psychological resilience, and well-being as predictors of professional identity among early childhood teachers · Acta Psychologica · 2026
• Effect of a Universal Mindfulness Program on Well-Being in Adolescents: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial · Journal of Happiness Studies · 2026
• Student perspectives on ‘critical compassion’ in higher education: the Nurture-U compassionate campus project · Higher Education Research & Development · 2026

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