DOI: 10.1177/27536130261491233 ISSN: 2753-6130

“It helps calm my mind”—Exploring the Connection of Religion, Spirituality, and Mindfulness in Adolescents With Diabetes

Daenique H. A. Jengelley, Luz A. Machuca, Geneva Baumberger, Shelley E. Varner-Perez, Tamara S. Hannon
Show PDF Cite

Background

Adolescents with diabetes participate in daily disease management tasks yet often have underdeveloped coping skills and lack consistent support. The negative emotional impact of diabetes is often associated with poor mental and physical health outcomes. Religious, spiritual, or mindfulness practices may augment coping strategies to support positive diabetes outcomes.

Objective

We examined adolescents’ thoughts and beliefs about the relevance of religious, spiritual or mindfulness practices in their diabetes management. We inquired if a mindfulness-based intervention might be of interest as part of comprehensive diabetes education and treatment.

Methods

Quantitative surveys—demographic, pediatric quality of life, and spiritual, religious, and personal beliefs—and qualitative interviews were conducted in 18 participants aged 14-18 years old to explore how religious, spiritual, or personal beliefs were perceived to impact coping with prediabetes, type 1, or type 2 diabetes.

Results

Health-related quality of life was associated with spirituality, religious, and personal beliefs measured by (r=0.51, p =5.4x10 -10 ; r=0.61, p =1.01x10 -9 ). Most participants identified as having a religion, and their impressions of non-religious spiritual practices were varied. For all participants that engaged in spiritual practices (non-religious/religious), they believed these practices were beneficial for their mental health, but did not identify these practices as having an impact on diabetes management. Participants had limited knowledge of or familiarity with mindfulness practices and expressed apprehension when providing input about a potential mindfulness-based group intervention. Despite these concerns, participants voiced that mindfulness could be helpful for dealing with stress.

Conclusion

Additional feasibility and acceptability work is needed to explore complementary therapies, such as mindfulness-based interventions, in adolescents with diabetes.

More from our Archive