| This study provided an initial analysis of the relationship between mindfulness, stress, and quality of life for parents raising a child with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA). Mindfulness refers to an attentive, present-moment, purposeful, non-judging approach to life. Stress in the present study was defined as various psychological and physiological symptoms known to be associated with stress including hopelessness, loneliness, regular irritations, ruminative thoughts, confusion, suicidal ideation, somatic symptoms, sleep disturbance, muscle tension, and symptoms of illness. Quality of life characterizes an individual's psychosocial, emotional, and physical well-being. Quality of life in this study entailed measuring one's well being in four areas: physical, psychological, social concerns, and spirituality. This study looked at how each of the three factors related to each other, and also how five facets of mindfulness, observing, describing, acting with awareness, non-judging, and non-reacting also related to stress and quality of life individually. Additionally, the study also looked at how certain facets of mindfulness impacted the relationship between stress and quality of life. Eighty-seven individuals participated in the present study, which consisted of an online survey using self-report measures to assess one's level of mindfulness, stress, and quality of life. Correlational analyses revealed significant positive correlations between mindfulness and quality of life, which suggested that those who are more mindful experience better well-being. Correlational analyses also revealed a significant negative correlation between stress and quality of life, and stress and mindfulness, in that individuals who experience more stress were found to have lower levels of quality of life, and lower levels of mindfulness. Partial correlations and regression analyses revealed that mindfulness did not mediate the relationship between stress and quality of life. It did, however, reveal that certain facets of mindfulness, including the describing, acting with awareness, and non-judging facets partially mediated that relationship between stress and quality of life. Findings suggest that interventions that focus on developing active mindfulness skills such as learning how to express one's experience, practicing being in the present moment, and practicing non-critical statements can enhance one's level of stress and overall sense of wellbeing. |
