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The influence of trait mindfulness on depression in multiple sclerosis: potential implications for treatment

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Abstract

Purpose

This study seeks to add to existing literature on depression and illness intrusiveness in chronic disorders by examining, (1) how the perceived intrusiveness of multiple sclerosis (MS) leads to depression, (2) and the mediating role trait mindfulness plays in this relationship

Methods

Participants (N = 755) were persons with MS (PwMS) recruited through the North American Research Committee on MS (NARCOMS) registry (a larger study). Participants completed the Illness Intrusiveness Ratings Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale. A mediation model assessed if trait mindfulness mediates the relationship between illness intrusiveness and depression

Results

Illness intrusiveness predicted trait mindfulness (a =  − 4.54; p < .001), trait mindfulness predicted depression (b =  − .04; p < .001); there was a direct effect of illness intrusiveness on depression (c’ = 2.53; p < .001) and an indirect effect on depression (ab = .17, 95% BCa CI [.10, .25]) when trait mindfulness was in the model, which represented a medium size effect, R2med = .10 [95% CI .07, .14]

Conclusion

Trait mindfulness mediates the relationship between illness intrusiveness and depression in PwMS. Providers could provide psychoeducation on the benefits of mindfulness and mindfulness-based interventions.

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Acknowledgements

The Patient Determined Disease Steps (PDDS) is provided for use by the North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis (NARCOMS) Registry. NARCOMS is a project of the Consortium of MS Centers (CMSC).

Funding

The research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, 1165 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, NY, 10461, USA

    Jennifer R. Miller, Caroline Altaras, Nicholas A. Vissicchio, Vance Zemon, Jeffrey G. Portnoy & Frederick W. Foley

  2. Mandell Center for Multiple Sclerosis, Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital, Trinity Health Of New England, 490 Blue Hills Avenue, Hartford, CT, 06112, USA

    Elizabeth S. Gromisch

  3. Department of Neurology, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA

    Elizabeth S. Gromisch

  4. Department of Rehabilitative Medicine, Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University, North Haven, CT, USA

    Elizabeth S. Gromisch

  5. Department of Medical Sciences, Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University, North Haven, CT, USA

    Elizabeth S. Gromisch

  6. Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 1700 N Wheeling St, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA

    Jessica Sloan

  7. Dignity Health, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, 350 W Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ, 85013, USA

    Tuula Tyry

  8. Holy Name Medical Center Multiple Sclerosis Center, Teaneck, NJ, USA

    Frederick W. Foley

Authors
  1. Jennifer R. Miller
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  2. Caroline Altaras
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  4. Vance Zemon
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  6. Elizabeth S. Gromisch
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  7. Jessica Sloan
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  8. Tuula Tyry
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  9. Frederick W. Foley
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Contributions

All authors contributed to this study. The first draft of this manuscript was written by JRM and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jennifer R. Miller.

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Miller, J.R., Altaras, C., Vissicchio, N.A. et al. The influence of trait mindfulness on depression in multiple sclerosis: potential implications for treatment. Qual Life Res 29, 3243–3250 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-020-02567-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-020-02567-6

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