The association between mindfulness and emotional distress in adults with diabetes: Could mindfulness serve as a buffer? Results from Diabetes MILES: The Netherlands

Abstract

People with diabetes have a higher risk of emotional distress (anxiety, depression) than non-diabetic or healthy controls. Therefore, identification of factors that can decrease emotional distress is relevant. The aim of the present study was to examine (1) the association between facets of mindfulness and emotional distress; and (2) whether mindfulness might moderate the association between potential adverse conditions (stressful life events and comorbidity) and emotional distress. Analyses were conducted using cross-sectional data (Management and Impact for Long-term Empowerment and Success--Netherlands): 666 participants with diabetes (type 1 or type 2) completed measures of mindfulness (Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-Short Form; FFMQ-SF), depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire; PHQ-9), and anxiety symptoms (General Anxiety Disorder assessment; GAD-7). Hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed significant associations between mindfulness facets (acting with awareness, non-judging, and non-reacting) and symptoms of anxiety and depression (β = -0.20 to -0.33, all p < 0.001). These mindfulness facets appeared to have a moderating effect on the association between stressful life events and depression and anxiety (all p < 0.01). However, the association between co-morbidity and emotional distress was largely not moderated by mindfulness. In conclusion, mindfulness is negatively related to both depression and anxiety symptoms in people with diabetes and shows promise as a potentially protective characteristic against the influence of stressful events on emotional well-being.

Subjective sleep impairment in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes: Results from Diabetes MILES—The Netherlands

“…First, although our results suggest that subjective sleep impairment is common in both adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, our prevalence estimates may be biased, as our self-selected sample is not fully representative of all adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes in The Netherlands. In our study, adults with type 2 diabetes not using insulin, those from ethnic minority groups, and people with co-morbid vascular conditions and emotional distress were under-represented [25,37]. However, a previous study among adults with type 1 diabetes found a similar prevalence of self-reported poor sleep quality (35%) [9].…”

The association between types of eating behaviour and dispositional mindfulness in adults with diabetes. Results from Diabetes MILES. The Netherlands

“…However, no studies have been conducted on the association between dispositional mindfulness and eating behaviour in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. In addition, in most studies, symptoms of psychological distress have not been controlled for, while these symptoms may confound associations as they are related to both eating behaviour (Blaine, 2008) and mindfulness (Baer et al, 2006;Brown & Ryan, 2003; in people with diabetes: Van Son, Nyklíček, & Nefs, et al, 2014).…”

Validation of a short form Three Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (TFMQ-SF) in pregnant women

“…For example, among patients with diabetes, stressful life events were not associated with feelings of depression in those who scored high on the three mindfulness facets (Van Son et al, 2015). Among patients with rheumatoid arthritis, disability was related to less psychological distress at one year follow-up when mindfulness was high .…”

“…Recent studies investigated whether mindfulness could serve as a 'buffer' which protects against negative effects of stressful events up to one year follow-up (Bränström et al, 2011;Nyklíček, Hoogwegt, & Westgeest, 2015;Van Son et al, 2015). For example, among patients with diabetes, stressful life events were not associated with feelings of depression in those who scored high on the three mindfulness facets (Van Son et al, 2015).…”