Mindfulness as a Protective Factor for the Burden of Caregivers of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients

Abstract

Our results showed that mindfulness is positively related to quality of life and negatively related to level of burden. We suggest that this construct can represent a preventative factor toward the negative effects of caregiving.

Effectiveness and Usability of a Web-Based Mindfulness Intervention for Families Living with Mental Illness

“…These findings challenge our hypothesis that mindfulness training can reduce caregiver burden and previous research on MBI for caregivers (Epstein-Lubow et al 2011; Stjernswärd and Hansson 2016a). A mindful attitude has previously been found to be negatively correlated with caregiver burden, depression, and anxiety and positively correlated with quality of life (Pagnini et al 2015). A possible explanation for the current findings, besides lack of effect of the intervention, may be that the instrument is “rough-grained” or that the outcome is suboptimal in the present context.…”

“…Mindfulness and compassion can help tame the inner critic (Stjernswärd and Hansson 2016b), reduce guilt and stress, and improve interpersonal relationships (Hofmann et al 2010; Jazaieri et al 2014; Stjernswärd and Hansson 2016b; Yadavaia et al 2014). A mindful attitude may be protective against caregiver burden in several ways, for instance by not remaining trapped and defining oneself as a caregiver only and thereby limiting one’s identity (Pagnini et al 2015). To regain an identity separate of that of a caregiver, caregivers need to allow themselves to re-evaluate priorities and gain more balance between their relationships and other domains of life, such as occupational or leisure activities (Priestley and McPherson 2016; Stjernswärd and Östman 2008).…”

“…Although findings are encouraging, research is at early stages with methodological flaws (e.g., lack of control group and standardized interventions) and more research of high quality is needed to draw conclusions about effectiveness (Fish et al 2016). MBI have shown positive effects for caregivers of the frail elderly and of persons with a chronic condition in terms of decreased levels of anxiety and/or depression (Hou et al 2013; Paller et al 2015), stress, and caregiver burden (Epstein-Lubow et al 2011; Pagnini et al 2015; Stjernswärd and Hansson 2016a). Even briefer MBI appear to have beneficial effects (Boettcher et al 2014; Carmody et al 2009; Stjernswärd and Hansson 2016a, b; Vesa et al 2016; Zeidan et al 2010).…”

Illness trajectories in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: How illness progression is related to life narratives and interpersonal relationships

“…The association between greater life expectancy and positive psychological well‐being or, conversely, the absence of psychopathological and/or neuropsychiatric symptoms, has been heavily investigated (Caga et al., ; Johnston et al., ; Kleinbub et al., ; Krampe et al., ; McDonald, ; Pagnini et al., ), suggesting an influence of psychological status on progressive physical decline. Several studies have explored distinct psychological variables that may moderate illness progression, such as an attitude of mindfulness (Pagnini, Phillips, Bosma, Reece, & Langer, ), an internal locus of control and social support (Matuz, Birbaumer, Hautzinger, & Kübler, ), perceived control (Real et al., ) and specific personality factors (Krampe et al., ). Variables leading to poor progression include psychological distress (McDonald, ), low mood (Johnston et al., ) and apathy (Caga et al., ).…”

Validation of the Persian Version of the Langer Mindfulness Scale

“…People who report higher mindfulness tend to have higher quality of life and psychological well-being (Langer, 1989; Pagnini and Langer, 2015) even in the case of severe health conditions (Pagnini et al, 2014, 2015, 2016). Mindfulness also appears to be connected to longevity (Alexander et al, 1989).…”