Effects of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Program on Perceived Stress, Internalized Stigma, and Psychological Well-being in Psychiatric Inpatients

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of a mindfulness-based stress reduction program on the perceived stress, internalized stigma, and psychological well-being of psychiatric inpatients.

Methods: A non-equivalent control group study with a pretest-posttest design was used. Participants were obtained from the closed wards of a psychiatric hospital in K-city. A total of 45 people were included in this study, 22 in the experimental group and 23 in the control group. The pre, post, and follow-up scores of both the experimental and control groups were obtained using the Korea Perceived Stress Scale, the Korea Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale, and the Korea Psychological Well-Being Scale to validate the effectiveness of the program. A 45 minute program was performed twice weekly for three weeks.

Results: There was a statistically significant reduction in perceived stress (F=6.92, p=.002) and internalized stigma (F=22.76, p<.001), and a significant improvement in psychological well-being (F=38.34, p<.001) in the experimental group.

Conclusion: A mindfulness-based stress reduction program could be implemented as an intervention to reduce perceived stress and internalized stigma and enhance psychological well-being in psychiatric inpatients.