Acceptance and Mindfulness in MS: Individual and Couple Perspectives Study
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ACCEPTANCE AND MINDFULNESS IN MS:
INDIVIDUAL AND COUPLE PERSPECTIVES
Kenneth Pakenham
School of Psychology
The University of Queensland
Australia
Background:
Characteristics of MS
complex neurological disorder
typically degenerative
demyelination of nerve fibres interferes with transmission of impulses
affects approximately 2.5 million persons worldwide (WHO, 2004)
prevalence is twice as high in women as in men
onset 20 - 40
the most common chronic neurological disease among young people
no known cause or cure
course is unpredictable
clinical symptoms vary widely
(eg. cognitive impairment, pain, fatigue, loss of
bowel or bladder control, mobility impairments, and emotional changes)
symptoms affect most, if not all, areas of a person’s life
20% lifetime prevalence rate for depressive disorders
36% lifetime prevalence rate for anxiety disorders
28% of MS carers report clinically significant levels of distress
Background
2
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M
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The MS context:
‘radical acceptance’
present moment awareness that frequently involves
experiencing the pain of ‘decay’
STUDY 1
(Pakenham & Flemming, 2012)
A
i
m
:
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.
STUDY 1: method
Data for Study 1 & 2 are drawn from longitudinal research on families
coping with MS
128 parents with MS completed measures of demographics, illness
& adjustment at Time 1, & measures of acceptance and adjustment
12 months later (Time 2).
Mean age 43 years
(
SD
= 6.5, range = 30 to 57)
84% female
Mean illness duration 7.67 years
(
SD
= 5.75, range = 4 months - 30 yrs)
MS severity: 32% mild, 56% moderate, 10% severe
STUDY 1: method
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STUDY 1: method
A
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&
A
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t
i
o
n
Q
u
e
s
t
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o
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n
a
i
r
e
(
A
A
Q
)
:
16-item AAQ (Bond & Bunce, 2003)
2 subscales: Action and Willingness
M
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Q
u
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t
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n
n
a
i
r
e
(
M
S
A
Q
)
:
Developed with reference to the AAQ & the CPAQ
(McCracken, 1998)
Items were adapted to reflect the experience of living with MS
20 (out of 25) items were endorsed by an expert panel and these
constituted the MSAQ
7-point rating scale (1 =
never true
to 7 =
always true
)
higher scores indicating greater acceptance of MS
STUDY 1:
Factor analysis of the MSAQ
Principal Components analysis
(orthogonal & oblique rotations):
Two factors, 51% of the total variance
Action (8 items) 30%
Willingness (8 items) 22%
All items loaded >.50
Internal reliabilities: .87 Action; .79 Willingness
Correlation .25,
p
<.01
Convergent validity:
MSAQ Action:
AAQ Action (
r
= .60,
p
<.01)
AAQ Willingness (
r
= .44,
p
<.01)
Acceptance coping (
r
= .58,
p
<.01)
Acceptance sense making (
r
= .62,
p
<.01)
MSAQ Willingness
Acceptance coping (
r
= .19,
p
<.05)
STUDY 1:
relations between MSAQ &
illness, demographics & adjustment
Less disability
(
r
=.24,
p<
.01)
& cognitive impairment
(
r
=-.27,
p<
.01)
related to higher MSAQ Action.
Being in a relationship
(F=3.94,
p<
.01)
& being female
(F=4.41,
p
=.04)
were related to higher MSAQ Action.
After controlling for the effects of
initial adjustment
& relevant
demographic
&
illness
variables (6 covariates):
MSAQ Action predicted greater positive affect(12%), & health(5%)
& marginal predictor of life satisfaction (2%).
MSAQ Willingness predicted better health
but
lower positive affect
AAQ (Action) predicted lower distress
MSAQ 4 – 12% vs. AAQ 4%
STUDY 1: conclusions
Findings support the beneficial effects of acceptance in
MS
Although acceptance declined as the disease progressed
2 MSAQ factors (Action & Willingness) reflect the dual
definition of acceptance consistent with other ACT
acceptance measures
Sound psychometric properties
MSAQ was a stronger predictor of adjustment to MS
than the AAQ.
STUDY 1: conclusions
Mixed findings re MSAQ Willingness:
Reflect the ambiguous and complex nature of willingness
EG. willingness to relinquish control of emotional reactions to illness
may have health benefits by dampening emotional reactivity to
illness, including the experience of positive emotions.
Illness acceptance was related to less reliance on coping strategies
focused on dealing with the emotional consequences of illness
(Karademas & Hondronikola, 2010).
Willingness subscale of the Tinnitus Acceptance Q’aire was
unrelated to adjustment in people with tinnitus
(Westin et al, 2008).
Measurement weaknesses:
MSAQ Willingness items may tap passive resignation rather than
active acceptance.
Acceptance may be equated with approval
STUDY 2:
(Pakenham & Samios, In press)
To investigate the roles of
mindfulness
&
acceptance
on adjustment in couples coping with
MS by examining:
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)
STUDY 2: hypotheses
A
c
t
o
r
e
f
f
e
c
t
s
:
m
i
n
d
f
u
l
n
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s
s
&
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c
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p
t
a
n
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m
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t
P
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e
r
e
f
f
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c
t
s
:
m
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d
f
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l
n
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s
s
&
a
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p
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a
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c
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n
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t
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p
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t
n
e
r
M
o
d
e
r
a
t
i
n
g
e
f
f
e
c
t
s
:
the partner effect of mindfulness would moderate the actor
effect of mindfulness on adjustment
the partner effect of acceptance would moderate the actor
effect of acceptance on adjustment.
Explored the moderating effects of
gender
&
MS status
(patient vs. spouse) on the actor and partner effects of
mindfulness & acceptance on adjustment.
STUDY 2: method
6
9
c
o
u
p
l
e
s
c
o
m
p
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d
T
i
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1
&
T
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2
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,
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p
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a
n
c
e
&
a
d
j
u
s
t
m
e
n
t
Dyadic data analytic
approach
(Kenny, Kashy& Cook, 2006)
Terminology:
p
a
r
t
i
c
i
p
a
n
t
s
a
r
e
“
p
a
t
i
e
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”
o
r
“
s
p
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u
s
e
s
”
“
p
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p
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s
o
n
i
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t
h
e
c
o
u
p
l
e
Patients: mean age 42 years; 78% female
Spouses: mean age 43 years; 78% male
mean duration of caregiving 5.91 years (
SD
= 4.68; range 1
month to 25 years)
STUDY 2: method
A
c
c
e
p
t
a
n
c
e
a
n
d
M
i
n
d
f
u
l
n
e
s
s
T
i
m
e
2
Acceptance: AAQ
(Bond & Bunce, 2003)
Mindfulness: Mindful Attention Awareness Scale
(Brown
& Ryan, 2003)
A
d
j
u
s
t
m
e
n
t
m
e
a
s
u
r
e
s
T
i
m
e
s
1
&
T
i
m
e
2
:
Depression & Anxiety
(DASS-21;Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995)
Life satisfaction
Positive affect
Relationship satisfaction
STUDY 2: results
A
c
t
o
r
e
f
f
e
c
t
s
mindfulness & acceptance were associated with better
adjustment, although
beneficial actor effects of acceptance were evident across all
adjustment domains
(all
B
s
p
<.01)
whereas
beneficial direct effects of mindfulness were only evident on
distress
(all
B
s
p
<.01)
P
a
r
t
n
e
r
e
f
f
e
c
t
s
support for the beneficial impacts of partner acceptance on
actor relationship satisfaction
(
B=.13,p
<.01)
ie. Individuals perceived better relationship satisfaction when their
partner reported greater acceptance.
Partner effects for mindfulness were not evident.
(
B
= unstandardised coefficient)
STUDY 2: results
A
c
t
o
r
-
P
a
r
t
n
e
r
I
n
t
e
r
a
c
t
i
o
n
s
:
Actor-partner interaction effect on depression
(
B=.01, p
<.05)
when the actor reported high acceptance & the partner reported low
acceptance, the actor reported lower depression, whereas when both actor &
partner reported high acceptance actors reported higher depression.
M
o
d
e
r
a
t
i
n
g
e
f
f
e
c
t
s
o
f
g
e
n
d
e
r
&
M
S
s
t
a
t
u
s
:
No gender moderating effects
MS status (patient vs. spouse) moderated:
Link between
mindfulness
& relationship satisfaction
(
B=.08, p
<.05)
mindfulness was related to greater relationship satisfaction for
patients
,
but was unrelated to relationship satisfaction for spouses.
Link between
acceptance
& relationship satisfaction
(
B=.09, p
<.05)
Acceptance was related to greater relationship satisfaction for
spouses
,
but was unrelated to relationship satisfaction for patients
Study 2: conclusions
M
i
n
d
f
u
l
n
e
s
s
Beneficial actor effects of mindfulness on distress
Absence of any direct effects on positive outcomes
Similar to prior findings
(Brown & Ryan, 2003)
Dispositional vs. state mindfulness
Beneficial effects of mindfulness on relationship
satisfaction for patients, but not for spouses
Increased mindfulness evident in patient benefit finding
(Pakenham & Cox, 2009)
Study 2: conclusions
A
c
c
e
p
t
a
n
c
e
Beneficial effects of acceptance on all adjustment outcomes
Beneficial effects of acceptance on relationship satisfaction
for spouses, but not for patients
caregiving entails many relationship challenges that require
acceptance (Pakenham, 2008)
Greater acceptance protects individuals from depression
when in the context of lower partner acceptance.
Complementary coping is related to marital adjustment in couples
coping with chronic illness (Badr, 2004).
High values-driven action in each partner may pull them in
different life directions and create existential dilemmas in illness
context – need for couples to recalibrate values.
This study explores the roles of acceptance and mindfulness in adjusting to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) from individual and couple perspectives. It examines the impact of acceptance on various aspects of adjustment to MS, such as distress levels, positive affect, life satisfaction, marital adjustment, health, and more.
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ACCEPTANCE AND MINDFULNESS IN MS: INDIVIDUAL AND COUPLE PERSPECTIVES Kenneth Pakenham School of Psychology The University of Queensland Australia
Background: Characteristics of MS complex neurological disorder typically degenerative demyelination of nerve fibres interferes with transmission of impulses affects approximately 2.5 million persons worldwide (WHO, 2004) prevalence is twice as high in women as in men onset 20 - 40 the most common chronic neurological disease among young people no known cause or cure course is unpredictable clinical symptoms vary widely (eg. cognitive impairment, pain, fatigue, loss of bowel or bladder control, mobility impairments, and emotional changes) symptoms affect most, if not all, areas of a person s life 20% lifetime prevalence rate for depressive disorders 36% lifetime prevalence rate for anxiety disorders 28% of MS carers report clinically significant levels of distress
Background 2 studies investigate the roles of acceptance and mindfulness in adjusting to MS The MS context: radical acceptance present moment awareness that frequently involves experiencing the pain of decay
STUDY 1 (Pakenham & Flemming, 2012) Aim: to examine relations between acceptance and adjustment to MS using a purpose-built scale called the MS Acceptance Questionnaire (MSAQ). Hypothesis: acceptance would be associated with better adjustment to MS (lower distress & higher positive affect, life satisfaction & marital adjustment, & better health).
STUDY 1: method Data for Study 1 & 2 are drawn from longitudinal research on families coping with MS 128 parents with MS completed measures of demographics, illness & adjustment at Time 1, & measures of acceptance and adjustment 12 months later (Time 2). Mean age 43 years (SD = 6.5, range = 30 to 57) 84% female Mean illness duration 7.67 years (SD = 5.75, range = 4 months - 30 yrs) MS severity: 32% mild, 56% moderate, 10% severe
STUDY 1: method Adjustment Measures; completed at Time 1 & Time 2: Health status (Pakenham et al, 1994) Life satisfaction (Pavot & Diener, 1993) Positive affect (Bradburn, 1969) (Pakenham & Cox, 2008) Distress (Depression Anxiety &Stress Scale; Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995) Relationship satisfaction (Abbreviated Spanier Dyadic Adjustment Scale; Sharpley & Rogers, 1984)
STUDY 1: method Acceptance & Action Questionnaire (AAQ): 16-item AAQ (Bond & Bunce, 2003) 2 subscales: Action and Willingness MS Acceptance Questionnaire (MSAQ): Developed with reference to the AAQ & the CPAQ (McCracken, 1998) Items were adapted to reflect the experience of living with MS 20 (out of 25) items were endorsed by an expert panel and these constituted the MSAQ 7-point rating scale (1 = never true to 7 = always true) higher scores indicating greater acceptance of MS
STUDY 1: Factor analysis of the MSAQ Principal Components analysis (orthogonal & oblique rotations): Two factors, 51% of the total variance Action (8 items) 30% Willingness (8 items) 22% All items loaded >.50 Internal reliabilities: .87 Action; .79 Willingness Correlation .25, p<.01 Convergent validity: MSAQ Action: AAQ Action (r = .60, p<.01) AAQ Willingness (r = .44, p<.01) Acceptance coping (r = .58, p<.01) Acceptance sense making (r = .62, p<.01) MSAQ Willingness Acceptance coping (r = .19, p<.05)
STUDY 1: relations between MSAQ & illness, demographics & adjustment Less disability (r=.24, p<.01) & cognitive impairment (r=-.27, p<.01) related to higher MSAQ Action. Being in a relationship (F=3.94, p<.01) & being female (F=4.41, p=.04) were related to higher MSAQ Action. After controlling for the effects of initial adjustment & relevant demographic & illness variables (6 covariates): MSAQ Action predicted greater positive affect(12%), & health(5%) & marginal predictor of life satisfaction (2%). MSAQ Willingness predicted better health but lower positive affect AAQ (Action) predicted lower distress MSAQ 4 12% vs. AAQ 4%
STUDY 1: conclusions Findings support the beneficial effects of acceptance in MS Although acceptance declined as the disease progressed 2 MSAQ factors (Action & Willingness) reflect the dual definition of acceptance consistent with other ACT acceptance measures Sound psychometric properties MSAQ was a stronger predictor of adjustment to MS than the AAQ.
STUDY 1: conclusions Mixed findings re MSAQ Willingness: Reflect the ambiguous and complex nature of willingness EG. willingness to relinquish control of emotional reactions to illness may have health benefits by dampening emotional reactivity to illness, including the experience of positive emotions. Illness acceptance was related to less reliance on coping strategies focused on dealing with the emotional consequences of illness (Karademas & Hondronikola, 2010). Willingness subscale of the Tinnitus Acceptance Q aire was unrelated to adjustment in people with tinnitus (Westin et al, 2008). Measurement weaknesses: MSAQ Willingness items may tap passive resignation rather than active acceptance. Acceptance may be equated with approval
STUDY 2: (Pakenham & Samios, In press) To investigate the roles of mindfulness & acceptance on adjustment in couples coping with MS by examining: the effects of an individual s mindfulness & acceptance on their own adjustment (actor effects) and the effects of their partner s mindfulness & acceptance on their adjustment (partner effects) using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (Kenny, Kashy& Cook, 2006)
STUDY 2: hypotheses Actor effects: mindfulness & acceptance would be associated with better adjustment Partner effects: mindfulness & acceptance in each partner would be associated with better adjustment in the other partner Moderating effects: the partner effect of mindfulness would moderate the actor effect of mindfulness on adjustment the partner effect of acceptance would moderate the actor effect of acceptance on adjustment. Explored the moderating effects of gender & MS status (patient vs. spouse) on the actor and partner effects of mindfulness & acceptance on adjustment.
STUDY 2: method 69 couples completed Time 1 & Time 2 measures of mindfulness, acceptance & adjustment Dyadic data analytic approach (Kenny, Kashy& Cook, 2006) Terminology: participants are patients or spouses partner refers to the other person in the couple Patients: mean age 42 years; 78% female Spouses: mean age 43 years; 78% male mean duration of caregiving 5.91 years (SD = 4.68; range 1 month to 25 years)
STUDY 2: method Acceptance and Mindfulness Time 2 Acceptance: AAQ (Bond & Bunce, 2003) Mindfulness: Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (Brown & Ryan, 2003) Adjustment measures Times 1 & Time 2: Depression & Anxiety (DASS-21;Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995) Life satisfaction Positive affect Relationship satisfaction
STUDY 2: results Actor effects mindfulness & acceptance were associated with better adjustment, although beneficial actor effects of acceptance were evident across all adjustment domains (all Bs p<.01) whereas beneficial direct effects of mindfulness were only evident on distress (all Bs p<.01) Partner effects support for the beneficial impacts of partner acceptance on actor relationship satisfaction (B=.13,p<.01) ie. Individuals perceived better relationship satisfaction when their partner reported greater acceptance. Partner effects for mindfulness were not evident. (B = unstandardised coefficient)
STUDY 2: results Actor-Partner Interactions: Actor-partner interaction effect on depression (B=.01, p<.05) when the actor reported high acceptance & the partner reported low acceptance, the actor reported lower depression, whereas when both actor & partner reported high acceptance actors reported higher depression. Moderating effects of gender & MS status: No gender moderating effects MS status (patient vs. spouse) moderated: Link between mindfulness & relationship satisfaction (B=.08, p<.05) mindfulness was related to greater relationship satisfaction for patients, but was unrelated to relationship satisfaction for spouses. Link between acceptance & relationship satisfaction (B=.09, p<.05) Acceptance was related to greater relationship satisfaction for spouses, but was unrelated to relationship satisfaction for patients
Study 2: conclusions Mindfulness Beneficial actor effects of mindfulness on distress Absence of any direct effects on positive outcomes Similar to prior findings (Brown & Ryan, 2003) Dispositional vs. state mindfulness Beneficial effects of mindfulness on relationship satisfaction for patients, but not for spouses Increased mindfulness evident in patient benefit finding (Pakenham & Cox, 2009)
Study 2: conclusions Acceptance Beneficial effects of acceptance on all adjustment outcomes Beneficial effects of acceptance on relationship satisfaction for spouses, but not for patients caregiving entails many relationship challenges that require acceptance (Pakenham, 2008) Greater acceptance protects individuals from depression when in the context of lower partner acceptance. Complementary coping is related to marital adjustment in couples coping with chronic illness (Badr, 2004). High values-driven action in each partner may pull them in different life directions and create existential dilemmas in illness context need for couples to recalibrate values.
