title: Dimensions of distress tolerance and the moderating effects on mindfulness-based stress reduction.
abstract: This study examined the relationship between distress tolerance and psychosocial changes among individuals participating in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). The objective of the analysis was to discern whether individuals with lower distress tolerance measured before MBSR showed larger reductions in perceived stress following MBSR.
  
  
  
  Data were collected from a sample of convenience (n = 372) using a quasi-experimental design. Participants completed self-report measures immediately prior to course enrollment and following course completion.
  
  
  
  Perceived stress, distress tolerance, and mood states showed favorable changes from pre- to post-MBSR in the current study. Baseline distress tolerance significantly moderated reductions on perceived stress, supporting the primary hypothesis that individuals with lower baseline distress tolerance evidenced a greater decline in perceived stress following MBSR. For a one-unit increase on the self-reported baseline Distress Tolerance Scale, reported perceived stress scores decreased by 2.5 units (p < .0001).
  
  
  
  The finding that individuals with lower baseline distress tolerance evidenced a greater decline in perceived stress may offer hints about who is most likely to benefit from MBSR and other mindfulness-based treatments. Identifying moderators of treatment outcomes may yield important benefits in matching individuals to treatments that are most likely to work for them.
authors: a Department of Psychology , Delaware State University , Dover , DE , USA.|b University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine , Philadelphia , PA , USA.
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: Gawrysiak
authors: c VISN4 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC) , VA Medical Center , Philadelphia , PA , USA.
authors: Shirley H
authors: SH
authors: Leong
authors: d Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences , University of Delaware , Newark , DE , USA.
authors: Stevie N
authors: SN
authors: Grassetti
authors: b University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine , Philadelphia , PA , USA.
authors: Mara
authors: M
authors: Wai
authors: e Department of Psychology , Ohio University , Athens , OH , USA.
authors: Ryan C
authors: RC
authors: Shorey
authors: b University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine , Philadelphia , PA , USA.
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: Baime
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064866:Mindfulness / Q000379:methods*; D057566:Self Report; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Distress tolerance; MBSR; mindfulness-based stress reduction; moderation