The role of alexithymia and mindfulness in predicting depression and anxiety in women with cancer

Introduction: Depression and anxiety in cancer patients are associated with a variety of cognitive and personality variables such as alexithymia and mindfulness. Aim: The present study aimed to investigate the role of alexithymia and mindfulness in predicting depression and anxiety in women with cancer. Method: The research method is correlational and predictive. The statistical population consisted of all female patients with cancer covered by Arezoo Charity Institute in Pars Abad (1979). 120 women with cancer were selected through purposive sampling from the statistical population and participated in this study. The data were collected using Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and analyzed by SPSS-20 software, Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise regression analysis. Results: The findings of this study showed that alexithymia and mindfulness can predict depression and anxiety in women with cancer significantly (P<0.01). Conclusion: Alexithymia and mindfulness are important factors in the depression and anxiety of cancer patients. Therefore, it is necessary to emphasize psychological interventions focused on these variables in educational, prevention and treatment programs of these patients.