Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Therapy on Work Stress and Mental Health of Psychiatric Nurses.
Jiao Yang, Siyuan Tang, Wenchao Zhou
Psychiatria Danubina June 1, 2018 DOI: 10.24869/psyd.2018.189 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 100 |
| Population | Psychiatric nurses from three hospitals in Hunan Province, China |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) therapy |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | MBSR therapy significantly reduced work stress, depression, and anxiety among psychiatric nurses compared to no intervention. |
Abstract
Background: Psychiatric nurses are a special group of nursing staff, they experience greater work stress and lower mental health levels than regular nurses. In order to address this problem, the effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) therapy on work stress and mental health of psychiatric nurses is investigated in this study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS From August 2017 to November 2017, 100 psychiatric nurses, including 68 females and 32 males, were selected as participants from three hospitals in Hunan Province of China. They were randomly divided into the intervention and control groups, with 50 respondents in each group. MBSR therapy was used as psychological intervention in the intervention group. Before and after the intervention, the two groups were assessed with the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) scale, Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Nursing Stress Scale.
Results: (1) After the intervention, the SCL-90 score of the intervention group decrease significantly, and a statistically significant difference is observed with the figure before the intervention (P<0.001). No statistically significant difference is found in the control group (P>0.05). (2) After the intervention, the SDS and SAS scores of the intervention group decrease significantly, and a statistically significant difference is observed with the figures before the intervention (P<0.001). No statistically significant difference is found in the control group (P>0.05). (3) After the intervention, the Nursing Stress Scale score of the intervention group Nursing Stress Scale decrease significantly, and a statistically significant difference is observed with the figure before the intervention (P<0.001). No statistically significant difference is found in the control group (P>0.05).
Conclusions: MBSR therapy can reduce work stress, anxiety, depression, and other negative emotions among psychiatric nurses and improve their mental health.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 12
- Effects of a mindfulness-based interventions on stress, burnout in nurses: a systematic review and meta-analysis Frontiers in Psychiatry August 3, 2023
- Effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on the well-being of healthcare workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. General Psychiatry 2024
- Mindfulness-Based and Mindfulness-Informed Interventions at the Workplace: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression Analysis of RCTs. Mindfulness May 11, 2023
- Effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on burnout, resilience and sleep quality among nurses: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Nursing July 1, 2025
- The Subjective Experience of Greek Women Attending a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program The European Journal of Counselling Psychology October 21, 2025
and 7 more in the library
Cites 4
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- Why mindfulness belongs in counseling psychology: A synergistic clinical and research agenda Counselling Psychology Quarterly April 10, 2017
- The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Therapy on Anxiety and Depression: A Meta-Analytic Review Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology April 1, 2010
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for generalized anxiety disorder. Journal of Anxiety Disorders July 22, 2007