The trans-NIH Science of Behavior Change (Nielsen et al., 2018) initiative highlights the importance of understanding how interventions bring about changes in key targets—that is, identifying mechanisms of change. Understanding mechanisms allows researchers and practitioners to tailor and optimize MBI.
Very little research has designed and tested interventions explicitly aiming to improve EWB. Most studies have focused on alleviating mental or physical health concerns (e.g., depression, anxiety, or pain), and there is very little empirical work to date on mechanisms.
The EWB Network aims to explore:
a) whether MBIs improve mental and physical health through EWB (i.e., EWB as the mechanism)
b) the mechanisms through which MBIs can improve emotional well-being (EWB) as an important endpoint itself. Potential mechanisms of interest through which MBIs affect/improve EWB include heightened interoceptive awareness, increased mindfulness or self-compassion, and improved emotion regulation or vagal tone, among others.
MBIs are associated with reduced stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and pain
So far, research has focused on MBIs reducing distress rather than promoting EWB. Our network aims to advance this important line of research.
Given MBI’s highly accessible, scalable, and adaptable nature, we are excited to explore the potential of MBIs for promoting EWB.