Evaluation of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Program for Caregivers of Children with Chronic Conditions
Holly G. Minor, Linda E. Carlson, Michael J. Mackenzie, Kristin A. Zernicke, Lanice Jones
Social Work in Health Care May 24, 2006 DOI: 10.1300/j010v43n01_06 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractCaregivers 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.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Pre-post intervention study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 44 |
| Population | Caregivers (mostly mothers) of children with special needs and various chronic conditions attending clinics at a large urban children's medical centre |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 8-week program |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Mindfulness-based stress reduction Psychotherapist Clinical psychology Stress management Stress linguistics |
| Citations | 166 |
| Key finding | An 8-week MBSR program for caregivers of chronically ill children led to a 32% reduction in stress symptoms and a 56% reduction in mood disturbance. |
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Given the demands of caring for chronically ill children, it is not surprising that caregivers often experience high levels of chronic stress. A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program may offer relief to these caregivers by providing tools for self-care and heath promotion that otherwise may be lacking. METHODS: MBSR classes were offered without restriction to parents of children attending various clinics at a large urban children's medical centre. Caregivers completed the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and Symptoms of Stress Inventory (SOSI) both before and after program participation. RESULTS: Forty-four caregivers participated in one of seven group MBSR sessions that were offered between August 2001 and February 2004. Most were mothers of children with special needs and various chronic conditions, who had been diagnosed an average of 7 years previous. Prior to the intervention, caregivers reported very high levels of stress and mood disturbance. These decreased substantially over the 8-week program, with an overall reduction in stress symptoms of 32% (p < .001), and in total mood disturbance of 56% (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: This brief MBSR program for caregivers of chronically ill children was successful in significantly decreasing substantial stress symptoms and mood disturbance. Further studies would benefit from using more rigorous methodology and applying the program to other groups of chronically stressed caregivers.