Strengths of the research Sample Clauses

Strengths of the research. The current study has a number of strengths. First, the inclusion of an active control intervention that was comparable in length and researcher contact with the experimental intervention adds to the literature on the effectiveness of mindfulness- based interventions. Second, the randomisation of participants ensured that any differences between the groups (at baseline) were due to chance. Third, the use of a clinical sample of individuals with Major Depressive Disorder (diagnosed with the SCID-I) extends the empirical literature on the comparative effects of mindfulness and relaxation interventions in depression, as previous studies have focused on undergraduate and community samples (Xxxx et al., 2007; Xxxx et al., 2007). Fourth, the design of the study ensured each participant was seen individually for two face-to-face assessments. The individual nature of the intervention (as opposed to a group format) reduced the likelihood of potential non-specific effects (e.g., social support within the group). Fifth, the study explored predictors of change in depressive symptoms, and thus contributes to understanding mechanisms of change in depression. Lastly, there is a need in the literature to disentangle the different components of MBCT (e.g. mindfulness, psychoeducation, nonspecific group effects) in order to identify active components. By using a mindfulness intervention that excluded the other components of MBCT, the current study added precision to the investigation of the effectiveness of mindfulness interventions.