Network Analysis Reveals Unique Associations of Mindfulness and Distress with Immunity in Māori and Non-Māori New Zealanders
Moana Billot, Rebecca A. Chalmers, Matti Cervin, Anna Sutton, Vincent M. Reid, Nirbhay Nand Singh, Oleg N. Medvedev
Mindfulness September 1, 2023 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-023-02211-7 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cross-sectional network analysis Preregistered Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 390 |
| Population | Māori (n = 195) and non-Māori (n = 195) adults in New Zealand, matched on age (19–88 years), sex, and self-classified socio-economic status |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key findings | Anxiety was negatively linked to immune status in both Māori and non-Māori, and distress variables were strongly positively linked. The overall networks of distress, mindfulness, and immune status differed significantly between groups: Describe and Act with Awareness were more strongly positively linked in Māori, Non-judge and Depression more strongly negatively linked in Māori, while Describe and Non-judge were more strongly positively linked in non-Māori. |
Abstract
Abstract Objectives A healthy immune system is required to protect against viral infection and ensure the efficacy of vaccines. Psychological distress can threaten immune resilience, while mindfulness practices can be protective. In New Zealand, Māori experience significantly higher levels of distress compared to non-Māori. The aim of this study was to explore the role of ethnicity in the relations among immunity, depression, anxiety, stress, and mindfulness relate to each other.
Method: Network analysis was used to explore unique relations among distress (depression, anxiety, stress), mindfulness facets, and immune status in matched (age, ranging from 19 to 88 years, sex, and self-classified socio-economic status) samples of Māori (n = 195) and non-Māori (n = 195) participants from New Zealand.
Results: The networks of distress, mindfulness, and immune status were significantly different between Māori and non-Māori participants. The mindfulness facets Describe and Act with Awareness were more strongly positively linked in Māori, and Non-judge and Depression more strongly negatively linked in Māori, while Describe and Non-judge were more strongly positively linked in non-Māori. For both Māori and non-Māori, similarities included a negative link between anxiety and immune status, strong positive links between the distress variables, and positive links between the mindfulness facets of Non-judge and Act with Awareness, Observe and Non-React, and Observe and Describe.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that anxiety is strongly linked to poor immunity across both Māori and non-Māori in New Zealand while networks of mindfulness and distress also demonstrated differences unique for each of these groups. Both similarities and differences between Māori and non-Māori should be considered when developing targeted interventions to improve physical and mental health in New Zealand. Preregistration This study is not preregistered.
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 9
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
- The mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy adherence scale: inter‐rater reliability, adherence to protocol and treatment distinctiveness Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy March 1, 2002
- Beyond Mindfulness Assessed by Questionnaires: The Mindful-Breathing Exercise as an Additional Approach in PTSD and Depression Mindfulness April 1, 2023
- In search of mindfulness: a review and reconsideration of cultural dynamics from a cognitive perspective. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand May 18, 2021
and 4 more in the library