The Association between Ruminative Thoughts and Mindfulness among Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction Addressing depression requires a comprehensive approach. Investigating the relationship between ruminative thought and mindfulness in patients with major depressive disorder is crucial. Objective This study aimed to investigate the correlation between ruminative thoughts and mindfulness in patients with major depressive disorder in the community. Design A cross-sectional study Methodology Participants included 75 patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder in the maintenance phase of antidepressant therapy, purposively selected from a psychiatric hospital and community hospitals in a northeastern province of Thailand. Data were collected using questionnaires consisting of demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as assessments using Beck’s Depression Inventory, Ruminative Response Scale, and Philadelphia Mindfulness Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. Results The majority of participants were female, with an average age of 51.08 years (SD = 15.46). Depressive symptoms over the past two weeks were classified as minimal (33.3%), mild-moderate (25.3%), moderately severe (28.0%), and severe (13.3%). The results indicated a significant positive correlation between depression severity and overall ruminative thought and its dimensions (r = .562, p<.001). Additionally, there were significant positive correlations between depression severity and overall and all dimensions of ruminative thoughts (brooding, reflection, and depression-related items) (r = .441, .483, .592, p<.001, respectively). Furthermore, a significant negative correlation was found between ruminative thoughts and mindfulness (r = -.292, p = .012). However, no correlation was found between depression and mindfulness. Recommendation Patients with major depressive disorder undergoing antidepressant treatment typically have high ruminative thoughts. The results of this study provide basic information for predictive research that could lead to the development of community-based therapeutic programs for patients with depression, aimed at reducing ruminative thoughts and depression, resulting in preventing recurrent depression.