Spousal Mindfulness and Social Support in Couples with Chronic Pain
A-Mm Williams, A. Caño
Clinical Journal of Pain June 1, 2014 DOI: 10.1097/ajp.0000000000000009 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 51 |
| Population | 51 couples in which one partner had chronic pain |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Spouses' mindfulness, particularly acting with awareness, was most consistently associated with patients' perceptions of spousal support, correlating positively with perceived responsiveness and instrumental support and negatively with punishing responses. Only patients' nonreactivity related to perceiving spouses as emotionally responsive. The authors suggest acting with awareness should be examined further for its possible contributions to healthy relationship behaviors in the context of pain. |
Abstract
Objectives:Existing research has reported the correlation between patients’ psychological flexibility, of which mindfulness is a component, and their perceptions of the spouses’ support provision. It is quite likely that spouses’ mindfulness, in particular certain aspects of mindfulness, is also related to the support they provide to patients. The current study examined this issue. Materials and Methods:The sample included 51 couples in which 1 partner had chronic pain. Patients and their spouses each completed a questionnaire that assessed 3 facets of their own mindfulness (ie, nonreactivity, acting with awareness, nonjudging). In addition, patients reported on their pain-related psychological flexibility, marital satisfaction, and perceptions of spousal support. Results:Only 1 facet of patients’ mindfulness (ie, nonreactivity) was related to their perceptions of their spouses as being emotionally responsive to them. Spouses’ nonjudging and nonreactivity were negatively correlated with punishing spouse responses. In addition, spouses’ acting with awareness was positively correlated with patients’ reports of perceived partner responsiveness and instrumental support and negatively correlated with patients’ reports of punishing spouse responses, often over and above the contribution of patients’ own mindfulness or pain-related psychological flexibility. Discussion:Spouses’ mindfulness, especially as it pertains to acting with awareness, was most consistently associated with patient perceptions of spousal support. These findings suggest that acting with awareness should be examined further including the possible contributions this type of mindfulness may make to healthy relationship behaviors in the context of pain.
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
Cited by 3
- On the Association Between Mindfulness and Romantic Relationship Satisfaction: the Role of Partner Acceptance. Mindfulness 2018
- Mindfulness is associated with psychological health and moderates pain in knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis and cartilage June 2017
- Are Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Related to Psychological Distress and Communication in Couples Facing Lung Cancer? A Dyadic Approach. Mindfulness September 6, 2016
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
- Low mindfulness predicts pain catastrophizing in a fear-avoidance model of chronic pain. Pain January 2010
- Acceptance, mindfulness, and values-based action may counteract fear and avoidance of emotions in chronic pain: an analysis of anxiety sensitivity. Journal of Pain April 2009
- Relationships between mindfulness practice and levels of mindfulness, medical and psychological symptoms and well-being in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program. Journal of Behavioral Medicine February 2008
and 4 more in the library