for those who are not good at following scholarly links, here is the summation of the article:

"This finding suggests that the effects of meditation training on emotional processing might transfer to non-meditative states. This is consistent with the hypothesis that meditation training may induce learning that is not stimulus- or task-specific, but process-specific, and thereby may result in enduring changes in mental function."

i believe this effect is the result of what is called "brain plasticity", which allows the brain to change or generate neural connections in order to process stimuli and find a balanced response pattern. these effects are permanent, or at least very long term. so any amount of mindfulness meditation or cognitive (affirmations) focus meditation brings about long term, often permanent, improvement in the brain's ability to focus, process stressors, retain information, and notice environmental conditions.

since these effects are not dependent on one's ability to handle the turmoil of searching thru memories, but rather the opposite, allowing thoughts to subside or be unnoticed, it is not as burdensome as most other kinds of therapy (in my opinion). i find the most beneficial results are obtained when meditate after sleeping, when my brain is at its strongest.

best wishes to any who practice meditation~!
Gus