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Abstract

Contemplative mental training interventions have gained great popularity as a potential means to reduce stress. However, the mechanisms driving observed stress reduction remain unclear. Previous research shows differential outcomes of different types of mental training practices. This led to the development of the Monitor and Acceptance Theory (MAT). The MAT asserts that through mindfulness, attentional and interoceptive capacities are first developed, which may lead to initial emotional agitation. Through the secondary cultivation of acceptance, individuals learn how to manage their affective states, and thus stress reduction occurs.
Methods

In the ReSource project Participants underwent different modules either developing attention and interoceptive awareness (Presence), socio-affective capacities such as compassion and gratitude (Affect), or mentalizing and perspective taking (Perspective). We tracked the development of a range of attention or acceptance related mental capacities and examined the changes of these with participants’ stress-reactive cortisol levels following standardized psychosocial stress induction.
Results

The modulating effect of monitoring and acceptance capacities was dependent on the type of training practiced. Those who trained presence had increased acute stress-induced cortisol release in relation to increased attention-based capacities. In those who trained Affect and Perspective modules, the reverse effect was observed. A trend level effect was observed for acceptance related capacities
Discussion

Our results emphasize the requirement of attention related traits to fully realize the emotional capacities to build stress resilience, whereby acceptance may be a key benefactor in lowering cortisol stress reactivity. Overall, mental training relies on several interacting processes to successfully attenuate stress.