Age moderates the association between psychological distress and engagement in mindfulness among cancer patients and survivors: A population-based study

Abstract

Purpose

We aim to evaluate the relationship between psychological distress and engagement in mindfulness among a national representative sample of cancer survivors.

Sample and design

Using the 2017 National Health Interview Survey, our final analytical sample included 3068 participants who reported having been diagnosed with cancer.

Methods and analysis

We used logistic regression analysis to assess the association and to test age as a moderator. We also conducted follow-up analysis using Fisher’s r-to-z transformation. All analyses were adjusted for complex sample weights.

Findings

Cancer survivors who had subclinical and clinical psychological distress were more likely to engage in mindfulness, OR = 1.59, 95% CI [1.24, 2.02] and OR = 1.45, 95% CI [1.02, 2.05], respectively. Age significantly moderated such association with the relationship much stronger among those who are younger (younger than 65 years old) than those who are older (65 years or older), b = 0.97, 95% CI [0.95, 0.99].

Conclusions

The relationship between psychological distress and engagement in mindfulness differs significantly by a survivor’s age. Psychosocial oncological providers need to account for a survivor’s age when delivering mindfulness based care to address psychological distress.

Implications

Providers should be mindful of a survivor’s age when recommending mindfulness oriented practices.

Keywords:

• Age
• mindfulness
• moderation
• psychological distress
• survivorship

Acknowledgment

This study has no funding to acknowledge.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability statement

This study used data from the 2017 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS): https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/index.htm