The Research
Most mindfulness research asks whether it works.
My research asks why — and specifically, what changes in the mind when it does.
Untangling Effects and Interactions of Mindfulness and Emotional Literacy: Metacognitive Beliefs as a Pathway of Reductions in Anxiety and Depression Through a Mindfulness-Based Intervention
University of the Sunshine Coast · Awarded 2025
PhD Thesis
Mindfulness, metacognitive beliefs and reduction of anxiety and depression
Dean's Award - Outstanding Thesis
The thesis investigated a specific mechanism — metacognitive beliefs — as a likely pathway through which mindfulness training reduces anxiety and depression. Metacognitive beliefs are beliefs we hold about our own thinking: that worry is uncontrollable, that intrusive thoughts are dangerous, that we need to suppress mental activity that makes us uncomfortable. These beliefs drive the patterns — rumination, mind wandering, worry — that sustain distress.
The research had two phases: an observational study with 178 participants, and a randomised controlled trial with 50 participants completing an eight-week abridged version of the Cultivating Emotional Balance (CEB) intervention.
Key findings
Higher mindfulness was consistently associated with lower metacognitive beliefs — and lower beliefs led to less rumination, less mind wandering, and less worry
Daily meditators scored significantly lower on anxiety and depression than those who meditated rarely — suggesting daily practice has a protective function irregular practice does not
Dereification — a shift in our relationship to thoughts so they lose their power to disturb — may be a more fundamental mechanism than metacognitive beliefs alone
Published Research
Mechanics of mindfulness: investigating metacognitive beliefs as a pathway of effect on anxiety and depression
Jackson, C. & Jones, C. M. · European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, 15(6), 109 · June 2025
This paper reports the observational phase of the PhD research — 178 participants measured on mindfulness, metacognitive beliefs, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. The paper found significant negative correlations between mindfulness and metacognitive beliefs across all five facets of mindfulness, and provides evidence that dereification may be a fundamental mechanism underlying mindfulness-based intervention effects.
Read the paper — DOI 10.3390/ejihpe15060109
Research in Progress
Mechanisms of Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Metacognition, Dereification, and Cognitive Engagement in a Pilot Study Bridging Buddhist Psychology and the S-REF Model
FAQs
What is metacognition?
Metacognition means thinking about your own thinking patterns.
How does mindfulness help?
Mindfulness reduces harmful metacognitive beliefs, easing anxiety and depression.
What is dereification exactly?
Dereification means seeing thoughts as just thoughts, not facts, which lessens their emotional impact.
Who participated in the study?
178 people took part in the observational phase of the research.
What about daily meditation?
Daily meditators showed significantly lower anxiety and depression scores.
When will the intervention study results be published?
The intervention phase is in preparation for submission and should be published soon.
Get in Touch
Questions or thoughts about the research? Feel free to reach out anytime.
Phone
+61 412 345 678
contact@coreyjackson.com.au