Trait Mindfulness, Affective Symptoms and Quality of Life in People with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Title
Trait Mindfulness, Affective Symptoms and Quality of Life in People with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Publication Date
2014
Author(s)
Ellis, Susan
Brown, Rhonda
Thorsteinsson, Einar B
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2065-1989
Email: ethorste@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:ethorste
Perrott, Colin
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Scientific Research Publishing, Inc
Place of publication
United States of America
DOI
10.4236/jct.2014.512115
UNE publication id
une:16219
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.
Link
Citation
Journal of Cancer Therapy, 5(12), p. 1114-1126
ISSN
2151-1942
2151-1934
Start page
1114
End page
1126

Files:

NameSizeformatDescriptionLink