Effects of a brief interpersonal mindfulness program embedded in a psychiatric nursing practicum: A controlled pilot study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to examine the effects of a brief interpersonal mindfulness program embedded in a psychiatric nursing practicum on stress reduction and mindfulness in nursing students.
Results Summary
The experimental group showed statistically significant improvements in mindfulness subscales (Observing, Describing, Non-reacting) and overall mindfulness scores compared to the control group, with large effect sizes. Qualitative findings highlighted initial challenges, increased mindfulness, intrapersonal benefits, and improved interpersonal skills.
Population
Fourth-year nursing students in Thailand.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
4 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
interpersonal mindfulness program embedded in a 4-week psychiatric nursing practicum | increase | Observing subscale scores | 31 fourth-year nursing students in Thailand | p < .05, Cohen's d = 0.83-0.95, large effect sizes | statistically significantly greater increases | #1 |
interpersonal mindfulness program embedded in a 4-week psychiatric nursing practicum | increase | Describing subscale scores | 31 fourth-year nursing students in Thailand | p < .05, Cohen's d = 0.83-0.95, large effect sizes | statistically significantly greater increases | #2 |
interpersonal mindfulness program embedded in a 4-week psychiatric nursing practicum | increase | Non-reacting subscale scores | 31 fourth-year nursing students in Thailand | p < .05, Cohen's d = 0.83-0.95, large effect sizes | statistically significantly greater increases | #3 |
interpersonal mindfulness program embedded in a 4-week psychiatric nursing practicum | increase | overall Five-Facet Mindfulness questionnaire, Thai version, scores | 31 fourth-year nursing students in Thailand | p < .05, Cohen's d = 0.83-0.95, large effect sizes | statistically significantly greater increases | #4 |
interpersonal mindfulness program embedded in a 4-week psychiatric nursing practicum | neutral | initial challenges to mindfulness practice | 31 fourth-year nursing students in Thailand | - | revealed themes | #5 |
interpersonal mindfulness program embedded in a 4-week psychiatric nursing practicum | neutral | experiences of becoming more mindful | 31 fourth-year nursing students in Thailand | - | revealed themes | #6 |
interpersonal mindfulness program embedded in a 4-week psychiatric nursing practicum | neutral | intrapersonal benefits | 31 fourth-year nursing students in Thailand | - | revealed themes | #7 |
interpersonal mindfulness program embedded in a 4-week psychiatric nursing practicum | neutral | consequences of mindfulness on interpersonal skills | 31 fourth-year nursing students in Thailand | - | revealed themes | #8 |
interpersonal mindfulness program embedded in a psychiatric nursing practicum | neutral | - | 31 fourth-year nursing students in Thailand | - | was effective | #9 |
BACKGROUND: Nursing school is a stressful environment that demands high performance both professionally and academically. Interpersonal mindfulness training has shown promise for its stress-reducing capacity in other contexts; however, few descriptions or tests of this method in nursing training settings exist in the literature. PURPOSE: This pilot study examined effects of a brief interpersonal mindfulness program embedded in a 4-week psychiatric nursing practicum in Thailand. METHODS: Mixed methods were used with 31 fourth-year nursing students to measure changes in mindfulness and assess their experiences of the program's impact. The control and experimental groups received the same clinical training, but the experimental group was also trained to practice interpersonal mindfulness throughout the course. FINDINGS: The experimental group reported statistically significantly greater increases in Observing, Describing, and Non-reacting subscale scores, and in scores for the overall Five-Facet Mindfulness questionnaire, Thai version, than the control group (p < .05, Cohen's d = 0.83-0.95, large effect sizes). Group interviews revealed themes: initial challenges to mindfulness practice, experiences of becoming more mindful, intrapersonal benefits, and consequences of mindfulness on interpersonal skills. CONCLUSION: Overall, an interpersonal mindfulness program embedded in a psychiatric nursing practicum was effective. Further studies are required to address limitations of the present study.