Investigating the effect of mindfulness-based training on self- criticism and working memory of adolescents

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of mindfulness-based education on two structures related to cognition, namely self-blame and working memory in adolescents. The research design was quasi-experimental with a control group. Participants included 30 people (two groups of 15 people) from adolescents aged 14 to 18 years who volunteered to participate in the study. They responded to the Thompson and Containers' Self-Blame Levels (2004), and the Wechsler Active Memory Scale (1945) as pretest and posttest. The experimental group participated in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program for 8 sessions, each session lasting 2 hours and the control group was without intervention. Data were analyzed using analysis of ANCOVA. The results showed that mindfulness intervention had a significant effect on self-blame (P = 0.001) and working memory (P = 0.001) in the experimental group (P <0.05).In a general conclusion, it can be stated that mindfulness-based education can be used in therapeutic and psychological programs to increase working memory and reduce self-blame in adolescents.