Recent Innovations in Psychology

Recent Innovations in Psychology

Cognitive Reappraisal as a Mechanism of Change: How Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Reduces Anxiety Sensitivity in Young Men?

Document Type : In English

Authors
Zahra Saedi 1
Fatemeh Karimi 2
Shaghayegh Nemati 3
Fatemeh Joneydiepour 1
Mahdi Amiri 4
1 MSc. in Clinical Psychology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2 MSc. in General Psychology, Ramhormoz Branch, Islamic Azad University,, Ramhormoz, Iran
3 MSc. in General Psychology, Jahad Daneshgahi Higher Education Institute of Khuzestan, Ahvaz, Iran
4 Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
10.22034/rip.2025.559290.1118
Abstract
Although Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) has been shown to effectively reduce anxiety symptoms, the specific psychological mechanisms underlying this change require further investigation. The present study sought to determine whether MBSR can reduce anxiety sensitivity in young men by enhancing cognitive reappraisal. Using a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test assessments and a waitlist control group, thirty male university students were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group received an eight‑session MBSR intervention consisting of weekly 90-minute sessions. All participants completed the Anxiety Sensitivity Index--Revised (ASI-R) and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). Multivariate analysis of covariance indicated that, compared to the control group, the experimental group showed significant reductions in physical and cognitive concerns related to anxiety sensitivity, as well as a significant increase in cognitive reappraisal. Mediation analysis further demonstrated that cognitive reappraisal functioned as a key mechanism explaining how the MBSR intervention reduced cognitive anxiety concerns. These findings suggest that incorporating cognitive reappraisal strategies into mindfulness‑based interventions may enhance outcomes related to anxiety‑related cognitive processes in young men.
Keywords
Anxiety Sensitivity
Emotion Regulation
Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction
Subjects
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