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Symposium

Transdiagnostic and Therapeutic Processes

Advances in Psychotherapeutic Approaches for Emotional Distress: Applications and Efficacy of Transdiagnostic and Mindfulness-Based Interventions

4 - (SYM 5) Perceived Stress as a Mediator of a Mindfulness-based Intervention for Emotional Distress: Two Randomized Controlled Trials

Thursday, June 25, 2026

10:26 AM - 10:43 AM PDT

Location: Yerba Buena Salon 7, B3 Level

Keywords: Mindfulness, Randomized Controlled Trial,

Speaker(s)

Jialu Jin, None (he/him/his)

Peking university
Beijing, Beijing, China (People's Republic)

Co-Author(s)

DC

Dongyang Chen, PhD Candidate

PhD Candidate
Peking University School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences
Beijing, Beijing, China (People's Republic)
MH

Mengyao He, PhD

PhD
Peking University School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences
Beijing, Beijing, China (People's Republic)
AH

Amy Hu, Master

master
Peking University School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences
Beijing, Beijing, China (People's Republic)
SH

Stefan G. Hofmann, PhD

professor
Philipps-Universitat Marburg
Marburg, Hessen, Germany
Xinghua Liu, Ph.D.

Professor
Peking University
beijing, Beijing, China (People's Republic)

Abstract Body
This study examined the role of perceived stress as a mediator of a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) for emotional distress using two randomized controlled trials. In Study 1, 636 participants (Age: M = 31.06, SD = 9.54; 83.18% female) with high emotional distress were randomized to an MBI group (N = 318) or a waitlist control group (N = 318). Perceived stress, anxiety, and depression were measured at baseline and post intervention. Similarly, in Study 2, 618 participants (Age: M = 30.20, SD = 8.21; 81.07% female) with high emotional distress were randomized to an MBI group (N = 309) or a waitlist control group (N = 309), with the same variables measured at baseline, week 3, week 5, and post intervention. In both studies, linear mixed-effect models showed significant improvements in perceived stress, anxiety, and depression in the intervention group as compared to the control group. The results of a simple mediation analysis of Study 1 data and parallel process latent growth curve models of Study 2 data showed that changes in perceived stress mediated the effects of the MBI on changes in anxiety and depression. Longitudinal mediation analyses of Study 2 data further revealed that changes in perceived stress preceded and mediated changes in anxiety and depression during the intervention. These findings suggest that perceived stress is an important mechanism underlying MBIs in alleviating emotional distress. Identifying and targeting changes in perceived stress in MBIs may enhance the intervention effects for emotional distress.