Scientific Aspects of Applying the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Program Aimed at Reducing Stress and Depressive Symptoms Among Young People in Kazakhstan: A Narrative Review

A narrative review of studies from 2015 to 2025 finds that the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program reduces stress levels in young people, an effect linked to improved emotional regulation and attentional control. For depressive symptoms, MBSR shows small to moderate effects that depend on intervention duration, participant engagement, study design, and context. Evidence from online and blended MBSR formats suggests increased accessibility for young populations. The review highlights potential for adapting MBSR to the cultural and educational context of young people in Kazakhstan.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This article presents a narrative review of contemporary scientific studies published between 2015 and 2025, focusing on the analysis of the effects of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program on stress and depressive symptoms among young people. The review synthesizes findings from national and international metaanalyses, as well as randomized controlled trials. The analysis of the available evidence indicates that the MBSR program contributes to a statistically significant reduction in stress levels, with this effect being associated with enhanced emotional regulation and attentional control processes. With regard to depressive symptoms, the effects of MBSR are generally small to moderate and depend on the duration of the intervention, the degree of participant engagement, as well as the study design and contextual factors. In addition, evidence from studies examining online and blended formats of MBSR suggests promising opportunities for increasing the accessibility of this intervention for young populations. The results of the narrative analysis highlight a scientifically grounded potential for adapting the MBSR program to the cultural and educational context of young people in Kazakhstan.