Examining Factors that Influence Acceptability of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: Experimental and Correlational Approaches

Abstract

Objectives. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are widely used treatments that aim to increase clients' awareness and acceptance of their present-moment experiences. Although delivered as secular treatments, their practices have roots in East and South Asian religious traditions, raising concerns about acceptance among diverse religious or atheistic clients. Other MBI features, such as meditation and group-based formats, may also pose barriers to participation. We report two pre-registered experiments examining factors influencing acceptability of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Methods. Study 1 (N = 305) tested whether scientific versus religious framings of MBCT influenced treatment acceptability, and whether effects were moderated by religiosity, existential quest (tendency toward exploratory engagement with existential questions), and scriptural literalism. Study 2 (N = 705) examined whether addressing participants' concerns about MBCT increased acceptability. Results. Contrary to hypotheses, Study 1 found no effects of scientific or religious framing on acceptability. However, regardless of framing, MBCT acceptability was higher among participants with greater existential quest (significantly) and greater religiosity (marginally). In Study 2, addressing participants' concerns (whether tailored to their specific concerns or covering all possible concerns) reduced concerns about MBCT and increased acceptability relative to no intervention. Similar to Study 1, religiosity was positively associated with acceptability regardless of condition. Conclusions. Together, these findings suggest that religiosity and existential quest may shape receptivity to MBCT, and that addressing client concerns, rather than adjusting how treatment is framed, may offer a promising route to increasing acceptability. Understanding these individual differences can inform strategies for engaging diverse populations in MBIs.