A mindfulness-based intervention for Japanese non-clinical adolescent anger: A pilot study

This study examined the effectiveness of mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) in improving non-clinical adolescents’ anger. MBI for anger and anger rumination among non-clinical adolescents has not yet been developed. Previous studies had two major limitations: First, the interventions were not based on Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and second, there were no measures of mindfulness, impeding the development of effective anger prevention and treatment. This study adopted an intervention derived from MCBT to examine its effects in alleviating anger and anger rumination among non-clinical adolescents. A total of eight Japanese undergraduates participated in the intervention, which comprised five weekly sessions. The intervention modified some components of the original MBCT to focus on anger and anger rumination. Results indicate that the five-session intervention in the present study had a significant impact on anger rumination, trait anger, and anger-control, despite insufficient increases in mindfulness skills. A self-monitoring component, but not mindfulness exercises, may work in the intervention. The necessity of mindfulness components in interventions for adolescent anger is discussed. Future studies need to include appropriate measures of mindfulness and examine the effects of an intervention with a larger non-clinical adolescent sample.