Psychological distress and quality of life among Jordanian women diagnosed with breast cancer: The role of trait mindfulness

Abstract

Background Patients diagnosed with breast cancer were reported to have high levels of psychosocial distress and poor quality of life (QOL). Mindfulness is believed to improve QOL and reduce psychological distress in various populations, but its unique association with QOL and psychological distress in women with breast cancer has yet to be established. Objectives This study was conducted to examine the relationship of mindfulness with depression, anxiety and QOL of women diagnosed with breast cancer. Methods A descriptive, correlation design was used. Results A sample of 234 Jordanian women completed the study. 24% of the participants scored above the cut‐off for clinical depression, 36.3% scored above the cut‐off for clinical anxiety, and 35.5% scored above the cut‐off for poor QOL. Mindfulness accounted for significant unique variance in depression, anxiety and QOL above and beyond the variance accounted for by the demographic variables, clinical variables and social support. Conclusion The current study provided preliminary evidence for the relationship of social support and mindfulness with the psychological well‐being and QOL among Jordanian women with breast cancer. Future research may want to tailor an intervention that combines social support and mindfulness‐based interventions and identify their benefits to support Jordanian women with breast cancer.

Stress and Quality of Life of Patients with Cancer: The Mediating Role of Mindfulness

“…The results of some studies have also shown that mindfulness can increase the quality of life of cancer patients [ 6 , 30 , 31 ]. Past studies have shown that mindfulness training is closely correlated with the development of attentional functions [ 44 ], cognitive flexibility [ 45 ], and problem solving [ 46 ], and such factors can affect and improve patients' condition.…”

“…Stress can affect the development, progression, and metastasis of cancerous tumors. If the stress experienced by the patient is not managed properly, it will have a great impact on his/her health [ 3 , 4 , 6 ]. The results of clinical studies support the correlation between stressful events and the survival and improvement of cancer.…”

“…Quality of life includes all aspects of life experiences, illnesses, and treatment. The cancer patients' quality of life changes over time, and the poor quality of life of the chronic patients is one of the consequences of stress [ 3 , 4 , 6 ]. Kwon et al showed that the quality of life of patients was significantly lower three years after diagnosis compared with the time of diagnosis [ 9 ].…”

“…Studies have shown that mindfulness can also improve positive emotions, sense of energy, and happiness in depressed people, which can play a role in increasing the quality of life of these people. Although some studies have shown that mindfulness improves the quality of life of cancer patients [ 6 , 30 , 31 ], Lengacher et al indicated that mindfulness improved stress and anxiety of the cancer patients rather than their quality of life; and further research would be needed [ 32 ].…”

Prevalence of and risk factors for depression among female Syrian refugees and Jordanians with chronic disease: a pilot study

“…Lastly, providing women's health services to vulnerable populations, as well as mental health services for survivors of sexual traumatic events, remains critical. Potential interventions for Jordanians include mindfulness and increased social support, which have been shown to improve psychological well-being and quality of life among Jordanian women with breast cancer (38).…”