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.
Ran Ma, Yuyang Zhou, Wei Xu
Current Psychology February 24, 2023 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-023-04418-2 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Longitudinal observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 457 |
| Population | Chinese oldest-old adults |
| Duration | 6-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Quality of life Mental health Loneliness Longitudinal The oldest old |
| Key findings | Loneliness predicted more mental health problems six months later (r = .401) but was also positively associated with quality of life (r = .242). Mindfulness moderated the loneliness–mental health problems link, with higher mindfulness weakening that association, but did not moderate the loneliness–quality-of-life link. The authors argue loneliness is a risk factor for mental health problems and that mindfulness may buffer its adverse effect. |
Abstract
Since the pace of population aging is getting faster than in the past, the population aging has been a serious social concern. The Quality of life (QOL) of the older adults, especially the oldest old, and their mental health problems need more public attention, for the purpose of enhancing their late well-being. Therefore, the current study aims to investigate the longitudinal relationship between loneliness to quality of life and mental health problems, considering the moderation effect of mindfulness among the oldest old. A total of 457 Chinese oldest-old completed questionnaires measuring mindfulness, loneliness, QOL, and mental health problems at baseline, and completed QOL and mental health problems again at six-month follow-up. Results showed that the longitudinal positive association between loneliness and mental health problems was significant (r = .401, p < .01). Nevertheless, loneliness was positively correlated with QOL (r = .242, p < .01). Additionally, mindfulness significantly moderated the association between loneliness and mental health problems. Specifically, higher mindfulness was associated with a weaker longitudinal relationship between loneliness and mental health problems. However, mindfulness did not moderate the relationship between loneliness and QOL. These findings indicated that loneliness can be a risk factor of mental health problems, and mindfulness can buffer the adverse effect of loneliness on mental health problems among the oldest old. Limitations and implications were discussed.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Undergraduate students | 2006 | Observational cohort | |
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Long-term Buddhist practitioners and controls | 2004 | Observational cohort |
Citations in the library
Cites 11
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness and self-compassion as predictors of psychological wellbeing in long-term meditators and matched nonmeditators The Journal of Positive Psychology April 11, 2012
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy: Theory and Practice The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry February 1, 2012
- The Relationship Between Mindfulness, Depression, Anxiety, and Quality of Life in Individuals With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders Frontiers in Psychology September 3, 2021
- Mindfulness Training Improves Quality of Life and Reduces Depression and Anxiety Symptoms Among Police Officers: Results From the POLICE Study—A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial Frontiers in Psychiatry February 26, 2021
and 6 more in the library