@article{ref1,
title="Self‐expansion as a mediator of relationship improvements in a mindfulness intervention",
journal="Journal of marital and family therapy",
year="2007",
author="Carson, James W. and Carson, Kimberly M. and Gil, Karen M. and Baucom, Donald H.",
volume="33",
number="4",
pages="517-528",
abstract="In a recent randomized controlled trial, couples participating in a mindfulness-based relationship enhancement program demonstrated significant improvements in relationship satisfaction and relationship distress (Carson, Carson, Gil, & Baucom, 2004). Here we report on a multiple mediation analysis of these couples’ improvements. Potential mediators included measures of couples’ engagement in exciting self-expanding activities, couples’ ability to accept one another’s difficult characteristics, and individual partners’ ability to relax. Results indicate that to a large extent, the mindfulness-related relationship improvements can be attributed to partners’ sense that they were participating in exciting self-expanding activities together during the course of the intervention. The implications of these findings for future mindfulness research are discussed.<p />",
language="",
issn="0194-472X",
doi="10.1111/j.1752-0606.2007.00035.x",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-0606.2007.00035.x"
}