EFFECT OF A MINDFULNESS-BASED GROUP STRUCTURED COUNSELING PROGRAM ON IMPROVING OPTIMISM AMONG WIDOWED WOMEN
Fatin A. Mhaidat, Ezdihar M. Alfawwaz, Mo'een Ahmad Oudat
Acta Innovations September 25, 2026 DOI: 10.62441/actainnovations.v63i1s.1647 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 80 |
| Population | Widowed women with low levels of optimism in Zarqa Governorate, Jordan |
| Duration | 14-session program; follow-up measurement after post-test (interval not stated) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | The mindfulness-based group counseling program significantly raised optimism scores relative to controls at post-test (large effect size, η² = .942), and the experimental group's gains showed no significant change at follow-up, indicating the effects were maintained over time. |
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based group structured counseling program on improving levels of optimism amongst widowed women in Zarqa Governorate, Jordan. Eighty widowed women with low levels of optimism were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 40) and a control group (n = 40), using a randomized pre-test and post-test experimental design with a follow-up measurement for the experimental group. The experimental group received a 14-session structured counseling program, based on mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). Using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), controlling for pre-test scores, revealed a statistically significant difference between experimental and control group scores at post-test on levels of optimism (p < .001) with a large effect size (η² = .942). In addition, there were no statistically significant differences between post-test and follow-up measurements for the experimental group, indicating that the positive effects of structured counseling program interventions were maintained over time. In summary, the results provide empirical evidence that mindfulness-based group counseling interventions are effective in enhancing optimism among widowed women. These findings highlight the potential applicability of mindfulness-based group counseling within counseling services provided by social, community, and psychological support institutions serving vulnerable populations.
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 |