The role of mindfulness and self-compassion in depressive symptoms and affect: A Comparison between Cancer Patients and Healthy Controls

Abstract

Objectives Mindfulness and self-compassion are related to psychological well-being and can be regarded as personal resources. It is, however, unclear whether these resources are always beneficial (direct effect) or only in stressful circumstances (buffer effect). We therefore examined whether mindfulness and self-compassion are equally or more strongly related to depressive symptoms and affect in cancer patients, compared to healthy controls. Methods Using a case-control design, 245 cancer patients were matched to 245 healthy controls (without chronic somatic comorbidities). Both groups filled out questionnaires concerning mindfulness (Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire), selfcompassion (Self-Compassion Scale), depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale), and affect (Positive and Negative Affect Scale). Using correlation and regression analyses, we examined within both groups the associations for mindfulness (i.e., total score and five facets) and self-compassion (i.e., total score, two factors and six facets) with depressive symptoms and affect. Results Mindfulness and self-compassion were equally strongly related to depressive symptoms and affect in cancer patients versus healthy controls. Mindfulness facets Act with awareness and Non-judgment were strongly related to depressive symptoms, negative affect, and the negative self-compassion factor. In contrast, mindfulness facets Describe and Observe were strongly related to positive affect and the positive self-compassion factor. When distinguishing the six self-compassion facets, Isolation and Mindfulness were strongly related to depressive symptoms, Over-identification to negative affect, and Mindfulness to positive affect. Conclusions Results suggest that mindfulness and self-compassion are basic human personal resources associated with psychological functioning, regardless of the presence or absence of stressful life experiences.

Profiles of self‐compassion and psychological outcomes in cancer patients

“…7,9 In the context of cancer, cross-sectional research has found that higher self-compassion is related to better psychological well-being in people with prostate cancer, 10 breast cancer, 11 lung cancer, 12 and heterogeneous cancer types. 13 A longitudinal study in Chinese cancer patients found that higher self-compassion at the time of cancer diagnosis predicted lower depression, anxiety, and fatigue during medical treatment. 14 Currently, there are conflicting findings and opposing views on the conceptualisation of self-compassion.…”

Emotion Focused Therapy Enduringly Reduces Depression and Increases Self-Compassion in Women with Breast Cancer: A Semi-Experimental Study

“…The results of the present study showed that EFT can significantly reduce depression and increase self-compassion in patients with breast cancer. 8 Self-critical 9 Self-frightener 10 Self-interruption 11 Systematic evocative unfolding 12 Problematic reactions 13 Vulnerability 14 Meaning protest 15…”

Self‐compassion and fear of cancer recurrence in Chinese breast cancer patients: The mediating role of maladaptive cognitive styles

“…11,12 In the context of cancer, some cross-sectional studies have confirmed that higher self-compassion is closely associated with fewer psychological symptoms (i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress) in patients with breast cancer, 13 prostate cancer, 14 and heterogeneous cancer types. 15 A longitudinal study with heterogeneous Chinese cancer patients found that higher self-compassion at first cancer diagnosis predicted lower depression, anxiety, and fatigue during medical treatment. 16 These studies suggest that self-compassion could be considered as a protective factor for cancer patients, providing kindness and warmth to patients in the face of suffering and improving psychological well-being.…”