From Burnout to Balance: A Mixed-Method Study on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in ABA Practitioners
Ramal Fatima, Amna Liaqat, Qandeel Fatima
Journal of Political Stability Archive July 26, 2025 DOI: 10.63468/jpsa.3.3.27 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pre-post quantitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 12 |
| Population | Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapists in Pakistan working with individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | Eight-week MBSR program; no follow-up data |
| Measures | Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | An eight-week MBSR program was associated with reduced overall burnout, particularly emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, increased personal accomplishment, and improved mindfulness across all five subscales among 12 ABA therapists. Higher mindfulness was strongly negatively associated with emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and positively associated with personal accomplishment. Younger age, fewer years of experience, and longer working hours were linked to higher burnout. |
Abstract
Burnout is a significant concern among Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapists due to the emotionally demanding nature of their work with individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in reducing burnout and enhancing mindfulness among ABA therapists in Pakistan. A quantitative pre-post design was used, involving 12 ABA therapists who participated in an eight-week MBSR program. The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) were administered before and after the intervention. Results indicated significant reductions in overall burnout, particularly in emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, while personal accomplishment scores increased post-intervention. Likewise, mindfulness scores improved significantly across all five subscales. Correlational analysis revealed a strong negative association between mindfulness and burnout components, suggesting that higher mindfulness was linked with lower emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, and greater personal accomplishment. Additionally, therapists with fewer years of experience, younger age, and longer working hours reported higher burnout levels. These findings highlight the potential of MBSR as a practical and accessible tool to enhance emotional regulation, resilience, and professional sustainability in high-stress therapeutic settings. Limitations include small sample size and lack of follow-up data. Future research should explore long-term effects and use larger, more diverse samples.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cites 4
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Health Care Professionals: Results From a Randomized Trial. International Journal of Stress Management May 1, 2005
- How do mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction improve mental health and wellbeing? A systematic review and meta-analysis of mediation studies. Clinical Psychology Review April 1, 2015