Effects of Mindfulness Training on Alexithymia and Resilience of Psychosomatic Patients

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Department of clinical Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Garmsar Branch, Garmsar, Iran

Abstract

Background: A psychosomatic illness is a mental disorder that manifests physical symptoms without any clear physiological cause. 
 
Objectives: The main objective of this research was to investigate the effects of mindfulness training on the levels of alexithymia and resilience in individuals suffering from psychosomatic disorders. 
 
Methods: This study was conducted based on a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design.   It specifically examined women who were diagnosed with psychosomatic disorders and sought treatment in Tehran in 2019. A total of 30 women were selected via convenience sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group took part in eight 150-minute sessions of mindfulness intervention. The tools used for assessment during the pre-test and post-test phases were the Toronto Alexithymia Scale and the Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale. The data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 19) using analysis of covariance. 
 
Results: The multivariate analysis of covariance demonstrated a significant difference between the two groups in dependent variables (P<0.05). The results of the univariate analysis of covariance for the variables of alexithymia and resilience revealed that mindfulness training had a significant impact on alexithymia and resilience in psychosomatic women during the post-test phase, as compared to the control group (P<0.05). 
 
Conclusion: As evidenced by the results of this study, mindfulness training had a significant effect on decreasing alexithymia and boosting resilience in women with psychosomatic symptoms. 
 

Keywords

Acknowledgments: This article was extracted from a thesis submitted by the author (code of ethics: IR.IAU.GARMSAR.REC.1398.224). In this manner, gratitude and acknowledgment are extended to all the individuals who participated in the research and provided assistance. 

 

Availability of data and materials: The study provides access to the dataset upon request from the corresponding author before or after publication.

 

Conflicts of interests: The author declare that they have no conflict of interest.

 

Consent for publication: The authors provide permission to the Publisher to publish their work by signing the Consent to Publish form.

 

Ethics approval and consent to participate: This article was extracted from a thesis

submitted by the author (code of ethics:IR.IAU.GARMSAR.REC.1398.224). This study was conducted following the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

 

Financial disclosure: No funding was provided for this research.

 

Author contributions: M.SH.: Contributed to the conception of the work, revising the draft, approving the final version of the manuscript, and agreeing on all aspects of the work; M.SH.: Contributed to the data analysis and interpretation, critical revision, and approval of the final version of the manuscript; M.SH.: Contributed to acquiring data, drafting the manuscript, and approving the final version; M.SH.: Contributed to the conception and design of the study, critical revision, and approval of the manuscript's final version; M.SH.: Contributed to the conception and design of the study, data interpretation, drafting of the manuscript and critical revision, and approval of final version.

References

1. Yaribeygi H, Panahi Y, Sahraei H, Johnston TP, Sahebkar A. The impact of stress on body function: A review. EXCLI J. 2017 Jul 21;16:1057-1072. PMID: 28900385; PMCID: PMC5579396.
 
2. Gieler U, Gieler T, Peters EMJ, Linder D. Skin and Psychosomatics - Psychodermatology today. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2020 Nov;18(11):1280-1298. PMID: 33251751; PMCID: PMC7756276.
https://doi.org/10.1111/ddg.14328
PMCid:PMC7756276
 
3. Tatayeva R, Ossadchaya E, Sarculova S, Sembayeva Z, Koigeldinova S. Psychosomatic Aspects of The Development of Comorbid Pathology: A Review. Med J Islam Repub Iran. 2022 Dec 12;36:152. PMID: 36636258; PMCID: PMC9826781.
 
4. Tatayeva R, Ossadchaya E, Sarculova S, Sembayeva Z, Koigeldinova S. Psychosomatic Aspects of The Development of Comorbid Pathology: A Review. Med J Islam Repub Iran. 2022 Dec 12;36:152. PMID: 36636258; PMCID: PMC9826781.
 
5. Hogeveen J, Grafman J. Alexithymia. Handb Clin Neurol. 2021;183:47-62. PMID: 34389125; PMCID: PMC8456171.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-822290-4.00004-9
PMid:34389125 PMCid:PMC8456171
 
6. Panayiotou G. Alexithymia as a core trait in psychosomatic and other psychological disorders. Somatoform and other psychosomatic disorders: A dialogue between contemporary psychodynamic psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy perspectives. 2018:89-106.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-89360-0_5
 
7. López-Muñoz F, Pérez-Fernández F. A history of the alexithymia concept and its explanatory models: An epistemological perspective. Frontiers in psychiatry. 2020 Jan 31;10:1026.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.01026
PMid:32082200 PMCid:PMC7005782
 
8. Kromidha E, Bachtiar NK. Developing entrepreneurial resilience from uncertainty as usual: a learning theory approach on readiness, response and opportunity. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research. 2024 Jan 31.
https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-11-2022-1025
 
9. Petri-Romão P, Engen H, Rupanova A, Puhlmann L, Zerban M, Neumann RJ, Malyshau A, Ahrens KF, Schick A, Kollmann B, Wessa M. Self-report assessment of Positive Appraisal Style (PAS): development of a process-focused and a content-focused questionnaire for use in mental health and resilience research. Plos one. 2024 Feb 2;19(2):e0295562.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0295562
PMid:38306328 PMCid:PMC10836662
 
10. Makas S, Çelik E. The examination of life satisfaction in terms of emotional expression, resilience and perceived social support. Yaşadıkça Eğitim. 2022 May 16;36(2):252-63.
https://doi.org/10.33308/26674874.2022362359
 
11. Martín-Talavera L, Mediavilla-Saldaña L, Molero D, Gavín-Chocano Ó. The effect of resilience on emotional intelligence and life satisfaction in mountain sports technicians. Apunts. Educació Física i Esports. 2024 Jan 1(155):1-9.
https://doi.org/10.5672/apunts.2014-0983.es.(2024/1).155.01
 
12. Li Z, Li Q. How Social Support Affects Resilience in Disadvantaged Students: The Chain-Mediating Roles of School Belonging and Emotional Experience. Behavioral Sciences. 2024 Feb 4;14(2):114.
https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14020114
PMid:38392467 PMCid:PMC10886063
 
13. Eaton AD, Rourke SB, Craig SL, Fallon BA, Emlet CA, Katz E, Walmsley SL. Mindfulness and cognitive training interventions that address intersecting cognitive and aging needs of older adults. Journal of Social Work. 2024 Jan;24(1):126-45.
https://doi.org/10.1177/14680173231207961
 
14. Charness G, Le Bihan Y, Villeval MC. Mindfulness training, cognitive performance and stress reduction. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization. 2024 Jan 1;217:207-26.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2023.10.027
 
15. Norouzi E, Rezaie L, Bender AM, Khazaie H. Mindfulness plus physical activity reduces emotion dysregulation and insomnia severity among people with major depression. Behavioral sleep medicine. 2024 Jan 2;22(1):1-3.
https://doi.org/10.1080/15402002.2023.2176853
PMid:36746668
 
16. Stinson DC, Bistricky SL, Brickman S, Elkins SR, Johnston AM, Strait GG. State mindfulness mediates relation between brief mindfulness training and sustained engagement with social stressor across social anxiety levels. Current Psychology. 2024 Jan 20:1-2.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-05627-z
 
17. Kabat-Zinn J. Some reflections on the origins of MBSR, skillful means, and the trouble with maps. InMindfulness 2013 Oct 18 (pp. 281-306). Routledge.
https://doi.org/10.1080/14639947.2011.564844
 
18. Williams JM, Crane C, Barnhofer T, Brennan K, Duggan DS, Fennell MJ, Hackmann A, Krusche A, Muse K, Von Rohr IR, Shah D. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for preventing relapse in recurrent depression: a randomized dismantling trial. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology. 2014 Apr;82(2):275.
https://doi.org/10.1037/a0035036
PMid:24294837 PMCid:PMC3964149
 
19. Zhang L. Intervention Treatment for Anxiety and Depression-Induced Emotional Disorders in College Students: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. Journal of Engineering and Science in Medical Diagnostics and Therapy. 2024 Aug 1;7(3).
https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4064345
 
20. Harrison LT, Marenus MW, Chen W. Reducing Anxiety and Enhancing Mindfulness in College Students during COVID-19 through WeActive and WeMindful Interventions. InHealthcare 2024 Feb 1 (Vol. 12, No. 3, p. 374). MDPI.
https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12030374
PMid:38338259 PMCid:PMC10855634
 
21. Goyal M, Singh S, Sibinga EM, Gould NF, Rowland-Seymour A, Sharma R, Berger Z, Sleicher D, Maron DD, Shihab HM, Ranasinghe PD. Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA internal medicine. 2014 Mar 1;174(3):357-68.
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.13018
PMid:24395196 PMCid:PMC4142584
 
22. Gökbulut N, Cengizhan SÖ, Akça EI, Ceran E. The effects of a mindfulness‐based stress reduction program and deep relaxation exercises on pregnancy‐related anxiety levels: A randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Nursing Practice. 2024 Jan 26:e13238.
https://doi.org/10.1111/ijn.13238
PMid:38279199
 
23. Alameda Cuesta A, Pazos Garciandía Á, Oter Quintana C, Losa Iglesias ME. Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: Illness Experiences. Clin Nurs Res. 2021 Jan;30(1):32-41. Epub 2019 Mar 27. PMID: 30917692.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1054773819838679
PMid:30917692
 
24. Bagby RM, Parker JD, Taylor GJ. The twenty-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale-I. Item selection and cross-validation of the factor structure. Journal of psychosomatic research. 1994 Jan 1;38(1):23-32.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-3999(94)90005-1
PMid:8126686
 
25. Besharat MA. Reliability and factorial validity of a Farsi version of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale with a sample of Iranian students. Psychological reports. 2007 Aug;101(1):209-20.
https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.101.1.209-220
PMid:17958129
 
26. Connor KM, Davidson JR. Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. 2003.
https://doi.org/10.1037/t06346-000
 
27. Jowkar B, Friborg O, Hjemdal O. Cross‐cultural validation of the Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA) in Iran. Scandinavian journal of psychology. 2010 Oct;51(5):418-25.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9450.2009.00794.x
PMid:20149146
 
28. Norman H, Marzano L, Coulson M, Oskis A. Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on alexithymia: a systematic review. Evid Based Ment Health. 2019 Feb;22(1):36-43. Epub 2018 Aug 4. PMID: 30077988; PMCID: PMC10270453.
https://doi.org/10.1136/ebmental-2018-300029
PMid:30077988 PMCid:PMC10270453
 
29. Farzadkia M, Farhangi A, Abolghasemi S. Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy in Improving Mental Health and Mitigating Alexithymia in Fibromyalgia Patients. International Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain Prevention. 2023 Jan 10;8(1):0-.
 
30. Schuman-Olivier Z, Trombka M, Lovas DA, Brewer JA, Vago DR, Gawande R, Dunne JP, Lazar SW, Loucks EB, Fulwiler C. Mindfulness and Behavior Change. Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2020 Nov/Dec;28(6):371-394. PMID: 33156156; PMCID: PMC7647439.
https://doi.org/10.1097/HRP.0000000000000277
PMid:33156156 PMCid:PMC7647439
 
31. Godara M, Silveira S, Matthäus H, Heim C, Voelkle M, Hecht M, Binder EB, Singer T. Investigating differential effects of socio-emotional and mindfulness-based online interventions on mental health, resilience and social capacities during the COVID-19 pandemic: The study protocol. PLoS One. 2021 Nov 4;16(11):e0256323.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256323
PMid:34735441 PMCid:PMC8568275
 
32. Demir V. THE EFFECT OF ART THERAPY AND MINDFULNESS BASED COGNITIVE THERAPY PROGRAM ON THE LEVELS OF ALEXITHYMIA OF INDIVIDUALS. Asya Studies. 2022 Dec 12;6(22):237-48.
https://doi.org/10.31455/asya.1160023
 
33. Kumari V, Antonova E, Mahmood S, Shukla M, Saifullah A, Pandey R. Dispositional mindfulness, alexithymia and sensory processing: Emerging insights from habituation of the acoustic startle reflex response. International Journal of Psychophysiology. 2023 Feb 1;184:20-7.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2022.12.002
PMid:36513183
 
34. Adelian H, Khodabandeh Shahraki S, Miri S, Farokhzadian J. The effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction on resilience of vulnerable women at drop-in centers in the southeast of Iran. BMC women's health. 2021 Dec;21(1):1-0.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-021-01390-6
PMid:34167523 PMCid:PMC8222952
 
35. Baumgartner JN, Schneider TR. A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based stress reduction on academic resilience and performance in college students. Journal of American College Health. 2023 Jul 24;71(6):1916-25
https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2021.1950728
PMid:34398703
Razavi International Journal of Medicine

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 13 January 2025

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics