Revealing the protective mindfulness-moderation on loneliness, depression, and quality of life among spinal cord injury survivors in a mixed-methods study
Meng-Qi Li, Xiao-Xiao Mei, Yan Li, J. Yorke, Tsz-Ching Sun, Yueying Wang, Y. Tran, A. Craig
Disability and Rehabilitation April 17, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2025.2491120 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Explanatory sequential mixed-methods study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 72 |
| Population | Spinal cord injury survivors in Hong Kong (survey n = 72; focus groups n = 15) |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Key points | Mindfulness significantly moderated the positive association between loneliness and depression (B = -0.060, p = 0.006), with a moderation cutoff value above 116.569, but did not significantly moderate the loneliness-quality of life relationship. The authors argue this indicates a protective moderation mechanism and support mindfulness-based interventions for mental well-being in spinal cord injury survivors. |
Abstract
Abstract Purpose Loneliness, prevalent in people with spinal cord injuries (SCI), is negatively associated with mental health and quality of life. Mindfulness is a potential moderator that may buffer the negative impact of loneliness. This study aimed to explore the moderation effects of mindfulness on the relationship between loneliness, depression, and quality of life among people with SCI.
Methods: We conducted an explanatory sequential mixed-methods study on SCI survivors in Hong Kong. Survey data (n = 72) including socio-demographics, mindfulness, loneliness, depression, and quality of life were analyzed using moderated regression with the SPSS PROCESS macro. Focus group interviews (n = 15) were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: Mindfulness significantly moderated the positive association between loneliness and depression (B= −0.060, p = 0.006), and a cutoff value (>116.569) for moderation was identified. The mindfulness moderation on the relationship between loneliness and quality of life was insignificant. Three themes were generated: connectedness contributes to subjective well-being, mindful perceptions foster emotional resilience and happiness, and mindful perceptions enhance physical health and social connections.
Conclusions: This study revealed the protective moderation mechanism of mindfulness in buffering the negative impacts of loneliness on depression, providing a strong theoretical foundation for the use of mindfulness-based interventions in improving mental well-being among SCI survivors.
Implications: FOR REHABILITATION Mindfulness appears to buffer the negative impacts of loneliness on depression among individuals with spinal cord injury. Mindfulness-based interventions are recommended to enhance the mental well-being of spinal cord injury survivors, who are particularly vulnerable to loneliness. Mindfulness-based interventions, such as mindfulness-based stress reduction, are encouraged to be included in rehabilitation routines by professionals.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on depression, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 9
- Chatbot-Based Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program for University Students With Depressive Symptoms: Intervention Development and Pilot Evaluation. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association 2025
- The Role of Trait Mindfulness in the Association between Loneliness and Psychological Distress Mindfulness August 1, 2023
- Mindfulness- and acceptance-based interventions for people with spinal cord injury: a scoping review. Spinal cord March 1, 2025
- Guardianship from being present: the moderation of mindfulness in the longitudinal relationship of loneliness to quality of life and mental health problems among the oldest old. Current Psychology February 24, 2023
- The Relationship Between Mindfulness, Depression, Anxiety, and Quality of Life in Individuals With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders Frontiers in Psychology September 3, 2021
and 4 more in the library