TITLE:
Trait Mindfulness, Affective Symptoms and Quality of Life in People with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
AUTHORS:
Susan Ellis, Rhonda F. Brown, Einar B. Thorsteinsson, Colin Perrott
KEYWORDS:
Lymphoma, Oncology, Mindfulness, Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Quality of Life
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cancer Therapy,
Vol.5 No.12,
October
28,
2014
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
125patients and survivors of NHL who had been diagnosed at least 2years 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.