Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on stress, depression, self-esteem and mindfulness in Thai nursing students

INTERVENTION: The intervention group received the MBSR program, whereas the control group were able to access existing mental health services on an as‐needed basis. The MBSR program comprised of 8 weekly 2.5 hour group sessions and one full day (8 hours) silent practice, held in the 6th week of the program. The weekly sessions included a series of activities designed to develop mindfulness skills and practice. The MBSR intervention was delivered by a research team member trained in this form of psychosocial intervention. CONDITION: Stress and Depression ; Mental and Behavioural Disorders PRIMARY OUTCOME: A series of questionnaires assessing stress, depression, self‐esteem, mindfulness were administered at baseline, 8 weeks, 16 weeks and 32 weeks.; 1. Stress was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS); scores ranged from 0 (never) to 4 (very often); 2. Depression was measured using the Centre for Epidemiology Studies‐Depression Scale (CES‐D); scores ranged from 0 (rarely or none) to 3 (most or all); 3. Self‐esteem was measured using the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale (RSES), scores ranged from 1 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree); 4. Mindfulness was measured using the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), scores ranged from 0 (almost always) to 6 (almost never) SECONDARY OUTCOME: 1. The utilisation of health and counselling services were measured using a specially designed Health and Counselling Service Utilisation Questionnaire, at baseline, 8 weeks, 16 weeks and 32 weeks; 2. Difference in intervention and control group participants? academic grades in the undergraduate nursing program was measured by accessing participants' academic records at the end of the academic period (semester) in which the research was conducted INCLUSION CRITERIA: Female and male nursing students, aged 18‐20 years and studying in the first and the second years of the Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Phayao, Thailand