The Associations of Mindfulness and Self-Compassion on Quality of Life for Patients with Multiple Sclerosis, a Cross-Sectional Study from Turkey.
Zeynep Özdemir, Erkan Acar, Barış Sancak, Burcu Goksan Yavuz
Psychiatry March 18, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/00332747.2025.2472427 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 113 |
| Population | Individuals with multiple sclerosis in Istanbul, Turkey |
| Measures | Self-Compassion Scale, Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life Questionnaire |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Multiple sclerosis Cross-sectional studies Empathy Self concept Quality of life Adult Middle aged Turkey Female |
| Key findings | Older age, higher disability, and higher anxiety significantly predicted lower MS-related quality of life, while the mindfulness component of self-compassion predicted better quality of life. Self-kindness and mindfulness subscale scores were positively correlated with total quality-of-life scores (r = .324 and r = .314). The authors conclude that high self-compassion and mindfulness have a positive impact on quality of life in MS. |
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the associations between self-compassion, mindfulness, emotional factors and multiple sclerosis (MS) related quality of life among the individuals with MS in Istanbul, Turkey.
Results: One hundred and thirteen MS patients participated in this cross-sectional study. In the linear regression model, older age, higher levels of disability, and higher anxiety levels significantly predicted lower MS related quality of life (p = .045, p = .023, p ≤ .001, respectively). Mindfulness component of the self-compassion scale significantly predicted better MS related quality of life (p = .007). The self-kindness and mindfulness subscale scores of the Self-Compassion Scale were positively and significantly correlated with the total scores of the Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life Questionnaire (r = .324, p = .003; r = .314, p = .003, respectively).
Discussion: These findings indicate that a high level of self-compassion and mindfulness has a positive impact on the quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis. Considering these effects within social dimensions, such as family and friendship, may contribute to improving patients' overall quality of life.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Experienced meditators and nonmeditating comparison groups | 2008 | Cross-sectional study | |
| Neural Correlates of Dispositional Mindfulness During Affect Labeling Adult participants | 2007 | Observational cross-sectional | n = 27 |
| Assessing mindfulness in children and adolescents: Development and validation of the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure (CAMM). School-aged children and adolescents | 2011 | Cross-sectional validation study | n = 1,413 |
| Mindfulness and self-compassion as predictors of psychological wellbeing in long-term meditators and matched nonmeditators Experienced meditators and demographically matched nonmeditators | 2012 | Cross-sectional study | n = 152 |
| Mechanisms of Action in the Inverse Relationship Between Mindfulness and Psychological Distress Undergraduates | 2008 | Cross-sectional, correlational |
Citations in the library
Cites 10
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness-based interventions for people with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-aggregation of qualitative research studies Disability and Rehabilitation September 9, 2021
- Into the Moment: Does Mindfulness Affect Biological Pathways in Multiple Sclerosis? Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience May 22, 2018
- A systematic review and meta-analysis exploring the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions on quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis. Journal of Neurology November 9, 2022
- Mindfulness training during brief periods of hospitalization in multiple sclerosis (MS): beneficial alterations in fatigue and the mediating role of depression. BMC Neurology October 8, 2021
and 5 more in the library