The Long-Term Effects of Mindfulness Added to Family Resilience-Oriented Couples Support Group on Psychological Well-Being and Cortisol Responses in Breast Cancer Survivors and Their Partners

The practice of mindfulness has not been well-developed for cancer survivors and their partners, and its effects on relational well-being and cortisol responses are unknown. This 14-month study aimed to examine the effects of the mindfulness-incorporated couples support group on psychological individual and relational well-being, and cortisol stress responses in breast cancer survivors and their partners. The participants were randomized into two groups: 21 couples in couples support group (CSG) and 19 couples in individual support program (ISP). Outcome measures for both survivors and their partners included Medical Outcomes Study Sleeping scale (MOS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Meaning of Life Questionnaire (MLQ), Short form-12 Health-related Quality of Life (SF-12 QOL), Experiences in close relationships-revision scale (ECR-R), and salivary cortisol. Among breast cancer survivors, the most significant effects of CSG were greater reductions of anxiety ECR-R compared with ISP. For partners, decreased levels of BDI-II, anxiety, and avoidant ECR-R, and increased levels of search and presence aspects of MLQ, physical, and mental QOL were identified in CSG compared with ISP. Moreover, CSG contributed to reduced cortisol levels at time of awakening and at 12:00 for both breast cancer survivors and their partners, cortisol levels at 30 min after awakening for survivors, and night cortisol levels at 21:00 for partners. In conclusion, mindfulness including individual and interactive breathing and meditation could guide clinical professionals to practice mindfulness themselves and become trainers to enhance the effective communication and relational well-being for cancer survivors and their partners.