Evaluation of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Program for Caregivers of Children with Chronic Conditions
Social Work in Health Care May 24, 2006 Holly G. Minor, Linda E. Carlson, Michael J. Mackenzie et al. 166 citations
Caregivers of chronically ill children often experience high chronic stress. A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program offered to parents at a large urban children's medical center substantially reduced stress and mood disturbance. Forty-four caregivers, mostly mothers of children with special needs diagnosed an average of 7 years prior, completed the program. Before the intervention, they reported very high stress and mood disturbance. Over the 8-week program, stress symptoms decreased by 32% and total mood disturbance by 56%, both statistically significant. The findings suggest MBSR provides effective relief for this population, though further studies with more rigorous methods are needed.