The Relationship Between Mindfulness, Depression, Anxiety, and Quality of Life in Individuals With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders
Niklas Bergmann, Eric Hahn, Inge Hahne, Marco Zierhut, Thi Minh Tam Ta, Malek Bajbouj, Geradina Henrika Maria Pijnenborg, Kerem Böge
Frontiers in Psychology September 3, 2021 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.708808 (opens in new tab) via DOAJ
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractIn people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, higher levels of mindfulness are associated with better quality of life in the domains of physical health, psychological well-being, and environment. Depression, but not anxiety, appears to explain part of this link: mindfulness may improve quality of life partly by reducing depressive symptoms. The findings suggest that mindfulness could be a useful therapeutic process for treating schizophrenia spectrum disorders, though longitudinal studies are needed to confirm causal pathways.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Cross-sectional study Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 83 |
| Population | In- and outpatients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Psychosis Schizophrenia spectrum disorders |
| Key finding | Mindfulness had a significant positive effect on physical health, psychological, and environmental quality of life in patients with SSD, with depression mediating this relationship. |
Abstract
Background: Schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) are frequently accompanied by comorbid depressive and anxiety symptoms, as well as impaired quality of life (QoL). A growing body of evidence has demonstrated the relevance of mindfulness for SSD in recent years. The study examined the association between mindfulness, depression, anxiety, and QoL.Materials and Methods: A total of 83 participants with SSD were recruited at the in- and outpatient psychiatric hospital care. Participants completed the Southampton Mindfulness Questionnaire, Comprehensive Inventory for Mindful Experiences, and Freiburger Mindfulness Inventory, the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale to assess depression and anxiety, and the WHO-QoL Questionnaire. Multiple regression analyses examined the relationship between mindfulness and QoL and the mediating role of depression and anxiety.Results: Mindfulness had a significant statistical positive effect on QoL domains physical health, psychological, and environmental QoL in patients with SSD. Depression was identified as a significant mediator of this relationship.Conclusion: This study provides novel insight into mindfulness’ mechanisms and paves the way for a process-oriented approach to treat SSD. The results provide first evidence for the process-based value of mindfulness for SSD; future studies can focus on the role of mindfulness for central therapeutic processes of change by employing longitudinal designs.