A Mindfulness-Based Intervention: Effects on Psychiatric Nurses Well-being and Burnout.
Elizabeth Gianella, Rebecca A Owens, Mary T Quinn Griffin, Joyce J Fitzpatrick
Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association May 22, 2025 DOI: 10.1177/10783903251341548 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pre-post intervention study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 46 |
| Population | Psychiatric nurses |
| Intervention | 3-min mindfulness breathing space |
| Duration | 2-week follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Mindfulness-based intervention Psychiatric nurses Mindfulness intervention mindfulness Short mindfulness practice Brief pause Well-being Overall nurse wellbeing Burnout burnout |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key points | A 3-minute mindfulness breathing space increased overall well-being but did not change burnout scores among psychiatric nurses. |
Abstract
Burnout has been shown to negatively affect the physical and emotional health of staff; contribute to rising costs; negatively impact patient satisfaction, worsen patient outcomes, and increase rates of safety events as well as mortality. Some research suggests that the practice of mindfulness could help nurses with burnout, but attrition rates are high due to the time commitment. In recent studies, the use of a 3-min mindfulness practice showed positive results. This research aimed to determine if a 3-min mindfulness-based intervention can decrease burnout and improve overall well-being in psychiatric nurses. An online 3-min mindfulness breathing space was used as the intervention. Burnout and well-being were measured prior to the intervention and at 2 weeks post-intervention. The total sample included 46 psychiatric nurses; for the 16 who completed the pre- and post-well-being instrument, overall well-being increased. There was no difference in burnout scores from pre- to post-intervention. This is a promising intervention for psychiatric nurses that increases overall feelings of well-being.
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 |