Mindfulness and psychological distress among hemodialysis patients

Abstract

ABSTRACT The current study identifies the unique role of trait mindfulness in improving the psychological health of patients under hemodialysis. A correlational research design was employed with a sample of 221 patients under hemodialysis. Participants completed a survey about the basic demographics, psychological distress, and mindfulness. The mean age of the study participants was 51.87 years (SD = 14.00). Participants had a moderate level of psychological distress. Psychological distress was associated with various demographic and clinical variables. Mindfulness accounted for 2.6% additional variance above and beyond the 18% accounted by demographic and clinical variables. This study suggests that mindfulness may enhance the psychological health of patients under hemodialysis. Future research may want to develop an intervention that employs a mindfulness-based approach and assess its effectiveness in supporting patients under hemodialysis.