Investigating the Relationship Between Psychological Flexibility, Mindful Ability, and Self-compassion With the Severity of Depression in Patients With Mood Disorders

Considering the prevalence and importance of depression, it is necessary to study the new psychological variables involved in its formation, persistence, and recurrence. Accordingly, this study aims to investigate the relationship between psychological flexibility (PF), mindful ability (MA), and self-compassion with the severity of depression in patients with mood disorders.

This cross-sectional study was conducted from October to January 2018. A total of 80 patients with various mood disorders were selected via a purposive sampling method based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria from the psychiatric wards of Noor Hospital and clinics affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. They completed the self-compassion scale, acceptance and action questionnaire, Freiburg mindfulness inventory–short form, and the Beck depression inventory-II. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software, version 24. Meanwhile, the Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression were applied as well.

The correlation coefficient between PF and depression was -0.79. This coefficient was -0.91 and -0.87 between self-compassion and depression and MA and depression, respectively. This indicates a strong inverse relationship between depression scores and these variables. Stepwise regression analysis showed that gender and MA were respectively the best predictors of depression (P<0.05).

Based on the results, there was a significant relationship between low self-compassion, PF, and MA and depression in patients with mood disorders.