The relationship between mindfulness and automatic negative thoughts among patients with depression

The Relationship Between Mindfulness and Automatic Negative Thoughts Among Patients with Depression Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between mindfulness and automatic negative thoguhts among patients with depression. Material and Method: This research was conducted as a correlational descriptive study. The study was conducted in the psychiatry clinic of Inonu University Medical Centre. There are 800 adult patients with depression treated in psychiatry clinic. The sample of the study consisted of 151 patients using the power analysis. In order to collect the data, the Descriptive Form, The Mindfulness Scale and Automatic Negative Thoughts Scale were used. In the analysis of the data; percentage distribution, arithmetic mean, pearson correlation analysis and regression analysis were used. Results: Total mean score of Mindfulness Scale was 32.59±8.55 and total mean score of Automatic Negative Thoughts Scale was 109.06±15.07. There was a statistically negative and strong correlation between the subscale and total mean scores obtained by the patients from the of Mindfulness Scale and their total mean score of Automatic Negative Thoughts Scale and their subscales (p<0.05). Conclusion: It was determined that the patients had a high level of automatic negative thoughts and low level of mindfulness. It was determined that as mindfulness of the patients decreased, their negative thoughts also increased. Key words: Automatic Negative Thought, Depression, Mindfulness, Nursing