Effectiveness of Psychological Capital and Mindfulness Training in Improving Quality of Life

Abstract

Background: Psychological capital and mindfulness approaches based on cognitive therapy provide a practical and positive framework that helps the prevention of psychological disorders and also the improvement of quality of life. Objectives: The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of psychological capital and mindfulness training in improving the quality of life of Aja Medical Students. Methods: In a case-control study, 75 medical students were divided into three equal groups: Control, psychological capital, and mindfulness. Psychological capital and mindfulness groups were trained for 90 minutes each week for six weeks according to Luthans and Kabat-Zayn methods, respectively. Students responded to a short version of the WHOQO-26 questionnaire before, one, and four months after the end of interventions. The one-way ANOVA and Student Newman-Keuls as a post hoc test were used, and P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Physical health was significantly lower, but social, mental, and environmental health were higher in the psychological capital and mindfulness groups than in the control group. Physical health was significantly lower, but social and environmental health were higher in the mindfulness group than in the psychological capital group. Conclusions: Both psychological capital and mindfulness training may effectively improve quality of life.