The effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction program on nursing students' stress level and emotion regulation: A randomized controlled trial
Journal of Psychiatric Nursing 2025 DOI: 10.14744/phd.2025.72593 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 45 |
| Population | Nursing students |
| Dose | once weekly for eight weeks, sessions lasting 60-90 minutes |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, follow-ups at one and three months post-intervention |
| Measures | Perceived Stress Scale, Cognitive Emotion Regulation Scale |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | The MBSR program significantly reduced perceived stress and improved cognitive emotion regulation, with effects sustained at three-month follow-up. The intervention group showed lower rumination and self-blame and higher acceptance, positive refocusing, and putting into perspective. |
Abstract
The effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction program on nursing students' stress level and emotion regulation: A randomized controlled trial N ursing education is a highly challenging and stressful program for nursing students.Difficulties encountered during clinical education, along with personal and social stressors, can contribute to the stress experienced by students.Academic stress can be attributed to the curriculum of nursing education, which combines clinical and theoretical knowledge, requiring students to develop practical skills.Studies have shown that nursing students perceive higher levels of stress compared to students in other programs.This is due to the intensive content of the nursing program, the challenging assignments, and the demanding nature of clinical practice aimed at skill development. [1,2]The academic pressure further increases anxiety among nursing students, particularly due to their fear of failure in exams and evaluations. [3,4]jectives: This study was conducted as a pre-test, post-test, follow-up randomized controlled trial to determine the effect of a mindfulness-based stress reduction program on perceived stress levels and cognitive emotion regulation strategies in nursing students.Methods: The study involved 45 participants, with 22 in the intervention group and 23 in the control group.Data collection tools included a personal characteristics form, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Scale.The intervention group attended an online MBSR program once weekly for eight weeks, with sessions lasting 60-90 minutes, while the control group received no intervention.Assessments were conducted at pre-test, post-test, one-month, and three-month follow-ups. Results:The results revealed a significant reduction in perceived stress scores in the intervention group across all measurement points compared to the control group.On the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Scale, the intervention group showed lower scores in the "rumination" and "self-blame" subscales post-intervention and during follow-ups.Additionally, they scored higher in the "acceptance," "positive refocusing," and "putting into perspective" subscales at similar intervals.Feedback from the intervention group indicated that 33.3% found the program beneficial for stress management, 66% reported enhanced mindfulness, and 33.3% noted increased awareness. Conclusion:The MBSR program effectively reduced perceived stress levels and encouraged positive cognitive emotion regulation strategies, such as increased acceptance, reduced rumination, and improved perspective-taking among nursing students.These findings suggest that mindfulness practices can be a valuable tool in fostering emotional well-being and stress resilience in this population.