Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/15982
Title: Trait Mindfulness, Affective Symptoms and Quality of Life in People with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Contributor(s): Ellis, Susan (author); Brown, Rhonda  (author); Thorsteinsson, Einar B  (author)orcid ; Perrott, Colin (author)
Publication Date: 2014
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.4236/jct.2014.512115Open Access Link
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/15982
Abstract: Purpose: The construct of mindfulness has previously been examined in cancer patients, as has the efficacy of mindfulness-based treatments. However, it has not been examined in people with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). NHL is one of the most distressing cancer diagnoses being associated with high levels of depression, anxiety and poor quality of life (QOL). In this study, we evaluated the experience of depression, anxiety, stress and QOL in people with NHL and the relationship of these states to a trait-based measure of mindfulness. Method: Participants were 125 patients and survivors of NHL who had been diagnosed at least 2 years ago. They completed an online questionnaire asking about their recent experiences of depression, anxiety, stress, QOL, mindfulness and its components, and the practice of mindfulness-meditation. Results: Controlling for disease status, high overall mindfulness and mindful-acceptance were related to lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Mindful-attention, high overall mindfulness and mindful-acceptance were all related to better QOL, after controlling for disease and marital status. Conclusions: The results suggest that attending to one's thoughts and feelings may be sufficient to experience good quality of life, but it may be insufficient to buffer against the potential for psychological distress. However, the mindful-acceptance of unpleasant, threatening or painful thoughts and feelings may be necessary to prevent or reduce the impact of affective symptoms such as depression and anxiety. Implications for cancer survivors: understanding the potential role played by mindfulness in informing well-being outcomes in NHL patients and survivors may assist in the development of appropriate interventions, aimed at improving their mental health.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Journal of Cancer Therapy, 5(12), p. 1114-1126
Publisher: Scientific Research Publishing, Inc
Place of Publication: United States of America
ISSN: 2151-1942
2151-1934
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 170106 Health, Clinical and Counselling Psychology
111204 Cancer Therapy (excl Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy)
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 321104 Cancer therapy (excl. chemotherapy and radiation therapy)
520304 Health psychology
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 920401 Behaviour and Health
920102 Cancer and Related Disorders
920410 Mental Health
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 200401 Behaviour and health
200409 Mental health
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article
School of Psychology

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