Impact of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on counseling self-efficacy: A randomized controlled crossover trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate the impact of an eight-week mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) program on counseling self-efficacy and related psychological and neuro-physiological measures among counseling trainees.
Results Summary
The study found that MBCT significantly improved empathy, self-compassion, stress reduction, and counseling self-efficacy, supported by psychological and neuro-physiological evidence post-intervention. However, differences between groups diminished after crossover, with carry-over effects and improvements noted in both groups at follow-up. Mindfulness was the strongest predictor of counseling self-efficacy, followed by reduced psychological distress and self-compassion.
Population
Undergraduate counseling trainees (n = 50, split into MBCT and waitlist control groups).
Effective Dosage
Structured eight-week MBCT program (specific frequency not detailed).
Duration
Eight weeks, with follow-up at six months.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
structured eight-week mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) program | increase | empathy | undergraduate counseling trainees | - | could make significant positive changes in | #1 |
structured eight-week mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) program | increase | self-compassion | undergraduate counseling trainees | - | could make significant positive changes in | #2 |
structured eight-week mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) program | decrease | stress reduction | undergraduate counseling trainees | - | could make significant positive changes in | #3 |
structured eight-week mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) program | increase | counseling self-efficacy | undergraduate counseling trainees | - | could make significant positive changes in | #4 |
mindfulness | increase | counseling self-efficacy | undergraduate counseling trainees | - | was the most significant determinant that contributed to | #5 |
psychological distress reduction | increase | counseling self-efficacy | undergraduate counseling trainees | - | contributed to | #6 |
self-compassion | increase | counseling self-efficacy | undergraduate counseling trainees | - | contributed to | #7 |
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of a structured eight-week mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) program on counseling self-efficacy among counseling trainees. METHODS: Undergraduate counseling trainees were randomized to an MBCT group (n = 25) or a waitlist control group (n = 25) with a crossover trial design. Psychological measurements regarding mindfulness, empathy, self-compassion, psychological distress, counseling self-efficacy as well as neuro-physiological measures including frontal midline theta activity, respiration rate, and skin conductance were taken at baseline (T1), after intervention (T2), and six-month follow-up (T3). RESULTS: Mindfulness training could make significant positive changes in empathy, self-compassion, stress reduction, and counseling self-efficacy with this being backed up by both psychological and neuro-physiological evidence at T2. However, such differences between the two groups had greatly subsided after crossover in which carry-over effect and marked improvement were noted in the study and control group, respectively, at T3. In addition, mindfulness was the most significant determinant that contributed to counseling self-efficacy, followed by psychological distress reduction and self-compassion according to the regression models. CONCLUSION: Integrating mindfulness into counseling training is beneficial for helping profession trainees. PRACTICE IMPLICATION: Incorporating mindfulness into counseling training can enhance the necessary "being mode" qualities in counseling and address self-care issues during training.