Abstract
Objectives
The effects of a 6-week mindfulness program were examined to assess how executive function level played a role in students’ mindful experience. The effects of the mindfulness program were evaluated according to prospective outcomes across students’ level of executive function, in comparison to an active control group.
Methods
Classrooms were randomly assigned to a mindfulness-based program or a health-based active control group. Pre- and early adolescent students in the 5th to 8th grade (N = 52) from two MindfulMe! program classrooms and two HealthyMe! program classrooms (active control group) completed self-reported pre-test and post-test measures to assess mindful attention awareness, strengths and difficulties, anxious arousal, rumination, and optimism. A composite score was created from student-, teacher-, and parent-reported BRIEF2 screening forms to determine students’ approximate level of executive function prior to the beginning of the program.
Results
There was a significant decrease in rumination for students in the mindfulness-based intervention when compared to the active controls. Findings suggest executive function predicted an individual’s change score in total difficulties, mindful attention awareness, optimism, and anxious arousal, after participating in a mindfulness-based intervention.
Conclusions
Mindfulness-based interventions appear to particularly benefit those with higher levels of executive function; however, an active control did not variably impact students according to their level of executive function.
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Mindfulness is associated with a wide range of emotional, physical, and psychological benefits (Atreya et al., 2018; Keng et al., 2011; Schonert-Reichl et al., 2015; Shonin et al., 2014). It has been conceptualized as a state, as experienced during informal or formal mindful practice, and as a trait, characterized as an individual’s “predisposition to be mindful in daily life” (Kiken et al., 2015). Researchers believe that repeated mindfulness-based practices contribute to a greater state of mindfulness, thereby improving an individual’s trait mindfulness as well (Kiken et al., 2015). The growing appeal to engage young children in mindfulness training is often initiated by research emphasizing a decrease in psychological symptoms and an increase in cognitive abilities following mindful practice (Keng et al., 2011). Moreover, persistent problems in childhood and early adolescence including aggression, bullying, stress, and mental health problems have drawn attention to potential programs, such as mindfulness-based interventions, in an attempt to reach students in a meaningful way (Schonert-Reichl et al., 2015).
An increase of mindfulness-based programming for children has led to scientific research on the benefits, risks, feasibility, and acceptability of the practice (Atreya et al., 2018; Shonin et al., 2014). Research reports show the positive benefits in children after participating in MBIs such as a decrease in parent-reported externalizing problems (Fung et al., 2016), improved attention and reduced test anxiety (Napoli et al., 2005), reductions in stress responses (Gould et al., 2012; Long et al., 2018; Mendelson et al., 2010), improved emotional and behavioral problems (Joyce et al., 2010; Klatt et al., 2013; Waldemar et al., 2016), improvements in hyperactivity, ADHD symptoms, and cognitive inattention (Klatt et al., 2013), and improvements in depressive symptoms (Schonert-Reichl et al., 2015; Semple et al., 2005; Sibinga et al., 2016).
The conceptual relation between mindfulness and executive function has recently garnered interest. Executive function refers to top-down mental processes such as inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and working memory (Diamond, 2013; Janz et al., 2019). Individuals with higher levels of executive function have been associated with a number of positive outcomes, such as an individual’s perceived physical and mental health over time (Brown & Landgraf, 2010; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018), while low executive control is related to some learning and behavioral difficulties (e.g., ADHD, Gagne et al., 2019). Individual components of executive function have also been associated with positive outcomes. For example, children with high levels of inhibitory control are less likely to make risky choices, be overweight, have high blood pressure, or have substance abuse problems later in life (Moffitt et al., 2011). Working memory influences cognitive efficiency, learning, and academic performance (Holdnack et al. 2016). Researchers have proposed a relationship between flexible thinking and depressive symptoms, such that greater cognitive flexibility may be associated with the “endorsement of more effective coping strategies” (Gabrys et al., 2018). Researchers have also identified a negative association between rumination and inhibitory control (Yang et al., 2017); it is proposed that learned optimism promotes cognitive flexibility in children (Shatté et al., 1999), and anxious arousal is “evidenced by reductions across all executive function domains” (Warren et al., 2021).
The role of executive function is often described as a psychological process involved in conscious control of action and thought (Riggs et al., 2003). The majority of research focuses on a unidirectional relationship assuming that mindfulness improves executive function (see Mak et al., 2018). Despite the growing evidence for the relationship between mindfulness and executive function, the literature fails to clearly identify the role that cognition has in dispositional mindfulness (Riggs et al., 2015). Given that individuals with lower levels of executive control tend to have trouble suppressing dominant responses to extraneous stimuli, mindfulness may be difficult or impossible for students with lower levels of executive functioning.
The relationship between children’s executive function and the effectiveness of a classroom mindfulness-based program on five domains was assessed: mindful attention awareness, awareness of anxiety-induced physiological symptoms, optimism, strengths and difficulties, and rumination. There were two research questions: (1) Does a 6-week mindfulness intervention benefit students in comparison to an active control condition? (2) Does executive function significantly predict change scores in all five outcome measures?
Method
Participants
All participants (parents, teachers, children) were required to be able to communicate in English and not have any major developmental delays (to the point of inability to properly assent/consent). All (100%) participants who indicated interest in the current study (i.e., returned a complete consent form) met the eligibility criteria. Between both participating schools, all students between grades 5–8 (N = 58) were given a consent form, 52 took part in the study; six students did not provide adequate written consent and/or verbal assent and their data were therefore not collected. Disproportionate distribution in the current study is due to the nature of both participating schools; one was sport-focused, and one was for students with learning difficulties. Table 1 contains details of demographics between the two groups.
Procedures
The current study employs a mixed design with program (MindfulMe! vs. HealthyMe!) as a between-subjects variable, time (pre-intervention, post-intervention) as a within-subjects variable, and composite executive function score as a predictor variable. A cluster (classroom-based)-randomized controlled design was used, with assignment to a mindfulness-based classroom program or health education active control program using the randomization function in Microsoft Excel for Mac. This randomization was conducted by the primary investigator prior to having any contact with participating teachers and students. Each participating school had an intervention group and an active control group (i.e., one classroom was assigned to intervention, one classroom assigned to control). Teachers were not included in any of the activities in the current study—besides having them exit the classroom, no further measures were taken.
A team of four experienced researchers underwent an intensive 1-day training session for either MindfulMe! or HealthyMe!, and they were provided with a program binder outlining each program lesson, the literature behind each activity, and the goals for each session. Detailed scripts were provided to each member of the team with materials to facilitate activities. The MindfulMe! and HealthyMe! instructors taught all sessions in full during a summer camp 1 year prior to the current study with children of comparable ages. There were two researchers for each session. They declared that they had followed the scripts and were asked to note any deviations from the script. There were no deviations reported.
Due to the nature of the intervention, double blinding was not possible to implement. Blinding was limited to program facilitators, parents, teachers, and students having no knowledge of the student’s allocation to condition until day one of the program. All coders were blind throughout the entire study and data entry process. As such, all BRIEF2 forms and pre-test outcome measure booklets were completed blind. To ensure the highest level of neutrality, the primary investigator did not attend the school on days where the post-test measures took place. Compensation was provided to the participating school in the form of a lump sum donation of $50 plus an additional $10 for every participating classroom, regardless of how many students or classrooms agreed to participate. In addition, all teachers were compensated with a $25 Amazon gift card for completing BRIEF2-T forms for their respective students. No payment or credit was provided to student participants.
The BRIEF2 screening form was administered to students, parents, and teachers approximately 2 weeks prior to the start of the program along with the respective consent form. All BRIEF2 forms were collected at pre-test, and those who had returned completed consent and BRIEF2 forms were then provided with an oral description of the study. The children were asked if they would like to participate in the current study as the pre-test questionnaire duotangs were being handed out. The research associates explicitly assured students that they may withdraw their assent and cease participation without penalty at any time. Over the course of 6 weeks, the students participated in half-hour activity sessions, once a week. A brief description of daily activities was provided prior to starting each program session.
The number of BRIEF2-T forms included in the Teacher package was dependent on the number of students in their respective classrooms (i.e., teachers were asked to fill out a BRIEF2-T for each participating student in their class). The principal investigator provided each participating student with a Parent Package, which comprised the 12-item BRIEF2-P to be reported for their child(ren) and returned the following week. To appraise fidelity to the programs, the sessions were video-recorded, attendance was taken each session, and children self-reported their preferences after the session ended.
MindfulMe! Program
The MindfulMe! program was informed by guidelines and resources provided by currently available mindfulness-based programs, such as MindUP (The Hawn Foundation, 2011) and website programs and activities. Once a week, for 6 weeks, children in the MindfulMe! intervention group (n = 26) participated in mindful activities with research associates from the Child Memory and Learning Lab, Wilfrid Laurier University. These sessions comprised getting to know each other, relaxation practices, and various activities selected as tools for children to learn how to accept and manage their emotions and subsequent behavior (see Table 2 for details).
HealthyMe! Program
The HealthyMe! program served as the active control group in this study and was created specifically for this project using resources from a non-profit children’s health system database, KidsHealth®, one of the largest resources online for medically reviewed health information written for parents, children, and teens. This program was chosen because it had only recently been released and so there was very little chance that children had seen this before. The program focuses on basic hygiene, nutrition, safety, and physical health throughout 6 weekly activity sessions (see Table 3 for further details).
Measures
Demographic Information
Information on demographics were collected through consent forms administered to parents. The data includes child gender, birth date, grade, racial background, and a voluntary declaration of diagnoses for autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder, or Tourette’s syndrome. The parents of 26 students (thirteen students in MindfulMe! and thirteen students in HealthyMe!) self-identified that their children had a formal diagnosis of one or more of the following: attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Tourette’s syndrome, and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD).
Executive Function
Students were assessed on their executive functioning according to a self-report (BRIEF2-SR Screening Form), parent report (BRIEF2-P Screening Form), and teacher report (BRIEF2-T Screening Form). The screening forms for students, teachers, and parents contain 12-items and use a 3-point Likert scale (N = never, S = sometimes, O = often) to measure three items from the BRIEF2 Behavioral Rating Index, four items from the Emotion Rating Index, and five items from the Cognitive Rating Index (Gioia et al., 2016). Higher scores on the composite executive function variable indicate greater levels of potential executive dysfunction. Internal consistency is high, ranging from 0.87 to 0.91 in a standardization sample and 0.80 to 0.89 in a clinical sample (Gioia et al., 2016). In the current study, internal consistency was shown by a high Cronbach’s alpha for the BRIEF2-T (α = 0.95), BRIEF2-P (α = 0.91), and BRIEF2-SR (α = 0.84), and the composite executive function score (α = 0.83).
As per the screening nature of the administered BRIEF2 forms, a composite score was not available to researchers in the assessment tool itself. To ensure that a robust measure of perceived executive function was calculated, the raw scores across student, parent, and teacher forms were averaged to manually create a single composite score. Raw scores across student, parent, and teacher forms were all positively correlated with one another (Table 4).
To verify the accuracy associated with the composite score created in step one, a point-biserial correlation was conducted between the dichotomous (yes, no) voluntary declaration variable and the continuous composite raw score. According to this calculation, there was a statistically significant correlation between formal diagnoses and executive function, rpb(50) = 0.779, p < 0.001, with formally diagnosed students having higher composite executive dysfunction scores (i.e., greater difficulties) than those without formal diagnoses, M = 26.85 (SD = 0.67) vs. M = 18.47 (SD = 0.68).
Strengths and Difficulties
To assess participants’ strengths and difficulties, a brief behavioral screening self-report questionnaire known as the Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) was used for the present study. The SDQ assess five dimensions of emotional symptoms (5 items), conduct problems (5 items), hyperactivity/inactivity (5 items), peer problems (5 items), and prosocial behavior (5 reverse-scored items), in addition to a total difficulties score (sum of all items except prosocial behavior subscale). The total difficulties score has been found to have high internal consistency with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.78 (Roy et al. 2008). Cronbach’s alpha for the current study was 0.77.
Mindful Attention Awareness Scale for Children (MAAS-C)
Mindful attention awareness was assessed through the administration of the self-report Mindful Attention Awareness Scale for Children (Lawlor et al., 2013). The current study reverse-scored and summed all items to produce a total dispositional mindfulness score. Higher scores indicate mindfulness whereas lower scores indicate low levels of mindfulness. Cronbach’s alpha for the current study was 0.83.
Children’s Response Styles Questionnaire–Rumination Scale Revised (CRSQ-RSR)
The 25-item self-report Children’s Response Styles Questionnaire (CRSQ-RSR; Abela et al. 2004) is an age-appropriate version of the Response Styles Questionnaire (Nolen-Hoeksema and Morrow 1991). The current study used the rumination subscale of the CRSQ-RSR to evaluate the tendency for participants to engage in repetitive thoughts about the cause of their distress (du Pont et al. 2019). A 13-item rumination subscale of the CRSQ is used to rate items ranging from 1 = almost never, 2 = sometimes, 3 = often, to 4 = almost always. A total score is achieved by summing all items, with higher scores indicating stronger ruminative response style. In a sample of primary school students, Cronbach’s alphas ranged from 0.55 to 0.86 (Verstraeten et al. 2010). Cronbach’s alpha for the current study was 0.88.
Resiliency Inventory (RI)
The original RI created by Noam and Goldstein (1998) was modified by Song (2003). The measure is used to assess six dimensions of resilience: optimism, relationship with peers, relationships with adults, self-efficacy, interpersonal sensitivity, and emotional control. The current study only used the optimism subscale to assess participants’ self-reported positive present and future perspective on the world (Schonert-Reichl & Lawlor, 2010). The 10-item optimism scale is rated on a 5-point Likert scale by participants, ranging from 1 = not at all like me, 2 = a little bit like me, 3 = kind of like me, 4 = a lot like me, to 5 = always like me. Higher scores represent greater optimism. Song (2003) has shown high internal consistency for the optimism subscale, according to a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.84. Cronbach’s alpha for the current study was 0.62.
Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire–Anxiety Arousal (MASQ-AA)
The current study administered a modified version of the scale, specifically consisting of the 10-item Anxious Arousal subscale (ANXAR) used to assess the extent to which participants experience physiological symptoms with minimal association to general negative affect such as anger, disgust, and contempt (Hankin 2009). These 10 items were chosen in accordance with Hankin (2008) who conducted a factor analysis on the broader 17 items and found these 10 to be the highest loading on the ANXAR factor. Students rated themselves on each of the 10 items on a scale ranging from 1 = not at all, 2 = a little bit, 3 = moderately, 4 = quite a bit, to 5 = extremely. The total score was the sum of all 10 items, with higher scores on the MASQ-AA reflecting higher anxious arousal and lower scores reflecting lower anxious arousal. Reliability and validity of the MASQ-AA have been shown in previous literature (e.g., Hankin et al. 2008; Watson et al. 1995). Cronbach’s alpha for the current study was 0.86.
Data Analyses
Three values were found unreported for the MAAS-C in the active control group only (missing data = no response to an item on the scale). In the current study, all missing values were replaced by the series mean. The current study employed a linear regression model and used SPSS v25©. Analyses of variance were completed with outcome variables (total difficulties, mindful attention awareness, rumination, optimism, anxiety arousal) as the dependent variables and time (pre-test, post-test) and condition (MindfulMe!, HealthyMe!) as independent variables, and time was within-subjects.
Executive function scores are presented in Table 5. To examine whether change scores are predicted by student levels of executive function, linear regressions were run with composite executive function score as the continuous predictor, and change scores for students’ mindful attention awareness, strengths and difficulties, mood and anxiety symptoms, rumination, and optimism as dependent variables.
Results
Preliminary Analyses
To establish baseline equivalence between conditions, an analysis of variance was conducted to assess whether statistical differences existed on pre-test measures between conditions. No significant condition differences were found at pre-test for the BRIEF2-T, BRIEF2-P, BRIEF2-SR, composite executive function score, SDQ, MAAS-C, RI, CRSQ-RSR, or MASQ-AA (largest F was associated with the CRSQ-RSR; F = 0.442, p = 0.509).
Strengths and Difficulties
There was no statistically significant interaction between the conditions and time on total difficulties, F(1,50) = 1.129, p = 0.293, ηp2 = 0.022 (see Table 6 for means and standard deviations). However, the main effect of time showed a statistically significant decrease in mean total difficulties at the different time points, F(1, 50) = 35.128, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.413 (pre-test M = 20.19, SD = 0.94; post-test M = 15.37, SD = 1.07). The main effect of condition did not show a statistically significant difference in mean total difficulties between conditions, F(1,50) = 2.044, p = 0.159, ηp2 = 0.039 (MMindfulMe! = 19.10, SD = 1.30; MHealthyMe! = 16.46, SD = 1.30).
Mindful Attention Awareness
There was no statistically significant interaction between the conditions and time on mindful attention awareness, F(1,50) = 0.007, p = 0.931, ηp2 = 0.000 (see Table 6 for means). The main effect of time showed a statistically significant increase in mean mindful attention awareness at the different time points, F(1, 50) = 8.986, p = 0.004, ηp2 = 0.152 (pre-test M = 54.21, SD = 1.79; post-test M = 58.21, SD = 2.06). The main effect of condition did not show a statistically significant difference in mean mindful attention awareness between conditions, F(1,50) = 0.029, p = 0.866, ηp2 = 0.001 (MMindfulMe! = 56.52, SD = 2.56; MHealthyMe! = 55.90, SD = 2.56).
Children’s Response Styles Questionnaire–Rumination Scale Revised
There was a statistically significant interaction between conditions and time on rumination scores, F(1,50) = 7.842, p = 0.007, ηp2 = 0.136 (see Table 6 for means). The main effect of time showed a statistically significant decrease in mean rumination at the different time points, F(1, 50) = 15.268, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.234 (pre-test M = 22.67, SD = 1.01; post-test M = 20.37, SD = 1.03). The main effect of condition did not show a statistically significant difference in mean rumination between conditions, F(1,50) = 0.025, p = 0.875, ηp2 = 0.000 (MMindfulMe! = 21.37, SD = 1.38; MHealthyMe! = 21.67, SD = 1.38).
Separate t-tests were conducted to further investigate the significant interaction. There was a significant difference in the rumination scores from pre-test (M = 23.35, SD = 5.73) to post-test (M = 19.38, SD = 7.45) in the MindfulMe! condition; t(25) = 5.569, p = 0.000, Cohen’s d = 0.598). In contrast, no significant differences were found in the rumination scores from pre-test (M = 22.0, SD = 8.58) to post-test (M = 21.35, SD = 7.36) in the HealthyMe! condition; t(25) = 0.693, p = 0.494, Cohen’s d = 0.081. Thus, students in the MindfulMe! condition decreased in rumination significantly more than their peers in the HealthyMe! program did.
Resiliency Inventory (RI)
There was a statistically significant interaction between the conditions and time on optimism, F(1,50) = 4.880, p = 0.032, ηp2 = 0.089 (see Table 6 for means). The main effect of time did not show a statistically significant difference in mean optimism at the different time points, F(1, 50) = 0.076, p = 0.784, ηp2 = 0.002. The main effect of condition also did not show a statistically significant difference in mean optimism between conditions, F(1,50) = 0.593, p = 0.445, ηp2 = 0.012.
Separate t-tests were conducted to further investigate the significant interaction. No differences were found in the optimism scores from pre-test (M = 44.0, SD = 7.18) to post-test (M = 45.62, SD = 7.05) in the MindfulMe! condition, t(25) = − 1.598, p = 0.123, Cohen’s d = 0.228; nor the HealthyMe! condition, t(25) = 1.560, p = 0.131, Cohen’s d = 0.256 (pre-test M = 47.35, SD = 7.93; post-test, M = 45.27, SD = 8.32). The most logical reason for the significant interaction is that, while children in both conditions scored 45 on average at post-test, this represented a slight decrease (from 47) in optimism for those in the MindfulMe! condition and a slight increase for those in the HealthyMe! condition. Caution is urged, however, given the results of the follow-up t-tests.
Mood and Anxiety Symptoms Questionnaire—Anxiety Arousal
A statistically significant interaction was not found between the conditions and time on anxiety arousal, F(1,50) = 0.237, p = 0.628, ηp2 = 0.005. The main effect of time showed a statistically significant decrease in mean anxiety arousal at the different time points, F(1, 50) = 5.271, p < 0.026, ηp2 = 0.095. The main effect of condition did not show a statistically significant difference in mean anxiety between conditions, F(1,50) = 0.327, p = 0.570, ηp2 = 0.007 (see Table 5 for means and SDs).
In summary, students in both programs increased in mindful attention and decreased in difficulties and anxiety. The MindfulMe! condition decreased in rumination significantly while their peers in HealthyMe! did not. Furthermore, even though optimism means appear to change from pre- to post-test, the t-test was not significant.
Executive Function and Mindfulness
Strengths and Difficulties
A linear regression was used to predict the total difficulties change score = − 10.997 + 0.303*composite executive function. The composite executive function score was a statistically significant predictor of the total difficulties change scores, F(1, 24) = 7.102, p = 0.014, accounting for 22.8% of the variation in total difficulties change scores with adjusted R2 = 19.6%, a small-medium size effect according to Cohen (1988). Notably, a single increase (+ 1) in an individual’s composite executive function score leads to a 0.303, 95% CI [0.068, 0.538] increase in total difficulties change score. This means that smaller decreases in difficulties were seen with children with lower executive function scores compared to larger decreases for those with higher executive function scores. A linear regression was also conducted to determine the effect of executive function on total difficulties after a health-based intervention. The composite executive function score did not predict total difficulties change scores in the active control group, F(1, 24) = 0.023, p = 0.882.
Mindful Attention Awareness
A linear regression was used to predict the mindful attention awareness change score = 15.636 − 0.496*composite executive function. The composite executive function score statistically significantly predicted mindful attention awareness change scores, F(1, 24) = 5.473, p = 0.028, accounting for 18.6% of the variation in mindfulness attention awareness change scores with adjusted R2 = 15.2%, a small-medium size effect according to Cohen (1988). Notably, a single increase (+ 1) in an individuals’ composite executive function score leads to a 0.496, 95% CI [− 0.934, − 0.058] decrease in mindful attention awareness change score.
A linear regression was also conducted to determine whether executive function affected mindful attention awareness after a health-based intervention. The composite executive function score did not predict mindful attention awareness change scores in the active control group, F(1, 24) = 0.187, p = 0.669, and was not expected to.
Children’s Response Styles Questionnaire–Rumination Scale Revised
A linear regression was used to predict the rumination change score = − 13.589 + 0.415*composite executive function. The composite executive function score statistically significantly predicted rumination change scores, F(1, 24) = 24.546, p < 0.001, accounting for 50.6% of the variation in rumination change scores with adjusted R2 = 48.5%, a large effect size according to Cohen (1988). Notably, a single increase (+ 1) in an individuals’ composite executive function score leads to a 0.415, 95% CI [0.242, 0.587] increase in rumination change score.
A linear regression was also conducted to determine the effect of executive function on rumination after a health-based intervention. The composite executive function score did not predict rumination change scores in the active control group, F(1, 24) = 3.156, p = 0.088.
Resiliency Inventory–Optimism Subscale
To determine the effect of executive function on optimism after a mindfulness-based intervention, a linear regression was computed. The composite executive function score did not statistically significantly predict optimism change scores, F(1, 24) = 0.253, p = 0.620.
A linear regression was also conducted to determine the effect of executive function on optimism after a health-based intervention. The composite executive function score did not statistically significantly predict optimism change scores in the active control group either, F(1, 24) = 0.008, p = 0.931.
Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire–Anxiety Arousal
A linear regression was used to predict the anxiety arousal change score = − 7.350 + 0.217*composite executive function. The composite executive function score statistically significantly predicted anxiety arousal change scores, F(1, 24) = 4.934, p = 0.036, accounting for 17.1% of the variation in anxiety arousal change scores with adjusted R2 = 13.6%, a small size effect. Notably, a single increase (+ 1) in an individuals’ composite executive function score leads to a 0.217, 95% CI [0.015, 0.419] increase in anxiety arousal change score.
A linear regression was also conducted to determine the effect of executive function on anxious arousal after a health-based intervention. The composite executive function score did not predict anxious arousal change scores in the active control group, F(1, 24) = 0.324, p = 0.574.
In summary, the findings suggest that executive function is a significant predictor of strengths and difficulties, mindful attention awareness, rumination, and anxiety arousal change scores, but did not predict optimism change scores. Executive function was not related to change scores for those in the HealthyMe! condition.
Discussion
The study evaluated the impact of executive function on the psychological, behavioral, and physiological outcomes of elementary school students who were randomized to a mindfulness-based intervention or a health-based intervention. It was expected that, regardless of executive function, students in the mindfulness-based intervention would show greater improvements pre- to post-test in total difficulties, mindful attention awareness, rumination, optimism, and anxious arousal, in comparison to an active control group. It was further expected that executive function would significantly predict the extent that a student would benefit from the mindfulness-based intervention, according to outcome variable gain scores.
After a 6-week intervention, decreased rumination was observed in children in the MindfulMe! condition in comparison to children in the control condition. Significant differences between conditions were not observed for total difficulties, mindful attention awareness, optimism, or anxious arousal. Thus, when the potential outcomes of mindfulness practice are compared to another intervention where the program length and materials are similar in style, there are fewer effects of mindfulness than seen in the literature. This highlights the importance when selecting control groups. Positive mindfulness effects may be overestimated when compared to a “treatment-as-usual” (TAU) control.
When the findings are considered with respect to past literature, it suggests that there may be a latent factor influencing the non-significant differences found in this study and other studies (Schonert-Reichl & Lawlor, 2010). More specifically, and in line with the current study, it is possible that executive function may play a role in non-significant findings in mindfulness-based research, such that significant differences between intervention and controls may be diminished when there are participants with difficulties in executive function. For example, if half of an intervention group includes students with ADHD, ASD, learning disorders, or other difficulties, their results have the potential to skew data collected within the classroom as a whole. In this instance, research tends to present non-significant findings without acknowledging the significant benefits that may be occurring for some students as well as the difficulties experienced by the students who did not benefit from the program at all or as much as their peers.
The role of executive function was subsequently tested to further an understanding of its role in mindfulness-based interventions and its effects on potential benefits. The set of linear regressions established the predictive ability of executive function when looking at change scores (pre- to post-test) of students who participated in MindfulMe! and in HealthyMe!. The results suggest that differences in executive functioning may be one reason why significant differences were not found for the overwhelming majority of outcome variables. According to the results, the focus should not only be on why mindfulness does not appear to significantly target outcomes when compared to an active control, but just as importantly on the underlying characteristics of participants and whether these characteristics are preventing the benefits of mindfulness-based interventions to take full effect.
In summary, a 6-week classroom-based mindfulness intervention may not be beneficial or accessible to all students. The current study demonstrates that executive function may significantly predict the extent that a student will benefit from a mindfulness-based intervention in all areas (anxiety arousal, mindful attention awareness, rumination, total difficulties) except optimism. This finding is important to consider when evaluating the cognitive faculties required for children to benefit from mindfulness-based interventions, such that decreases in rumination appears to be accessible to all students regardless of their executive function in the current study. Further research with a larger sample size is clearly warranted to conclusively state that current mindfulness interventions and their activities are well-equipped to decrease rumination in all students.
Limitations and Future Directions
It has been long asserted that there are limitations associated with self-report measures in behavioral research, notwithstanding the difficulties introduced when the self-reporter is a child participant (Goodman et al., 2017). Bias in self-report measures is found to be an even larger issue in mindfulness research (Goodman et al., 2017). Participants who have increased in their mindfulness may be more aware of their behavior, thoughts, and intentions, which then translates into rating themselves lower on self-report measures. This notable “reverse bias effect” would not take place in active control group participants, rendering any significant differences between the two groups difficult to interpret (Goodman et al., 2017). Participants in the mindful condition were exposed to familiar “context clues” in the questionnaire that they would have encountered during mindful activities and may have reinstated memories of these concepts therefore eliciting a biased response. To counteract this, data from the BRIEF2 was included from multiple informants to reduce an overwhelming bias effect.
Second, and in addition to the self-report measures for outcome variables, research has asserted the limitations associated with measures of executive function in children (Ledochowski et al., 2019). The difficulties associated with task-based measures of executive function include the inability to distinguish which component of EF is being used, whereas self-report measures of executive function are unable to capture the real-world responses that a task-based measure would. There is also concern for the lack of correlation between measures of executive function in past research (Ledochowski et al., 2019). Future research would therefore benefit from using a combination of task-based and self-report measures of executive function, to ensure they correlate prior to drawing conclusions. Also, the full BRIEF2 could be used rather than a screening form, to allow for a more componential analysis of executive function.
Third, the sample size and diversity were largely limited due to circumstances beyond the researcher’s control, as the participating schools in the current study were specifically oriented toward two niche groups of students. The first school catered to students with learning difficulties and the second school catered to students in competitive hockey. Therefore, the current study is limited in its ability to generalize any significant findings beyond these populations as they may not fully represent a typical classroom. Future research might benefit extensively from a larger sample size, namely through the analysis of a wider variety of schools (i.e., private, public, faith-based, etc.).
The MindfulMe! program was facilitated by trained research assistants. This serves as a potential barrier to acceptability such that students may not be as receptive to learning about mindfulness from an external facilitator rather than their teacher with whom they are familiar. Therefore, the current study may only be generalizable to programs that are facilitated by an external individual. However, it is important to note the barriers associated with teacher-delivered mindfulness interventions including additional training and planning for an already full teaching plan, and the unrealistic expectations for all teachers to become specialists in mindfulness.
Method bias is a limitation of the current study, such that multiple constructs are being measured using common methods (multiple item scales presented in the same questionnaire). Asking participants to report their experience on two or more constructs in the same questionnaire is likely to produce spurious correlations among the items measuring these constructs by means of response styles, social desirability, and priming effects which are independent from the true correlations among the constructs being measured (Podsakoff et al., 2012).
Finally, while the inclusion of clinical populations is inevitable when researching a range of executive functioning, the current study did not have access to full diagnostic information for ethical reasons. Knowing more information about students who have been formally diagnosed with a disorder associated with executive dysfunction, such as their medication intake, treatment/therapy history, date of diagnosis, name of diagnosis, and any other relevant information, may be important when assessing individual differences in the potential benefits off mindfulness-based interventions.
Data Availability
Participants were not informed that the data would be deposited in an accessible repository. The data are stored at Wilfrid Laurier University in K Roberts’ lab on a password-protected computer.
Change history
14 March 2022
A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-022-01851-5
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KB: designed and executed the study, completed the data analyses, and wrote the first draft of the paper. KR: collaborated with the design, analysis, writing, and submission of the manuscript. Both authors approved the final version of the manuscript for submission.
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The research was reviewed by the Institutional Research Board at Wilfrid Laurier University and was deemed to be ethically sound. Guardians provided informed consent and children gave verbal assent.
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Butterfield, K.M., Roberts, K.P. The Role of Executive Function in Children’s Mindfulness Experience. Mindfulness 13, 398–408 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-021-01802-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-021-01802-6