A mindfulness-based intervention improves perceived stress and mindfulness in university nursing students: a quasi-experimental study

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. 13220 - 10
• Main Authors: Liu, Yi-Ling, Lee, Chao-Hsien, Wu, Li-Min
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 08.06.2024; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 631/477; 692/700; Adult; Female; Humanities and Social Sciences; Humans; Intervention; Male; Meditation - methods; Meditation - psychology; Mindfulness; Mindfulness - methods; multidisciplinary; Nursing; Nursing education; Nursing student; Perceived stress; Quasi-experimental methods; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Stress; Stress, Psychological - therapy; Students; Students, Nursing - psychology; Universities; Young Adult; Intervention; Nursing student; Mindfulness; Perceived stress
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64183-5

University nursing students have been shown to experience psychological stress. A mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) may be a helpful tool for stress management. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a MBI on improving mindfulness and reducing perceived stress in nursing students. A quasi-experimental study was conducted between July 2021 and February 2022. The intervention group participated in an 8-week mindfulness awareness course, which included 50 min of training and practice in mindfulness meditation techniques each week. Over the same 8 weeks, the control group watched a 50-min film each week. The mindful attention awareness scale (MAAS) and perceived stress scale (PSS) were administered before the intervention, intervention completion, and 2 and 6 months after the intervention. Data were analyzed using t test and generalized estimating equation. Overall, that the MBI showed a substantial effect on felt stress in comparison to the control group. When compared to the control group, the MBI showed a substantial impact on trait mindfulness. The MBI was beneficial for nursing students and could be considered a viable approach in nursing education to enhance mental wellbeing. It could be an effective method of relieving stress in a high-stress population.