Abstract
Hospital staff have experienced an increase in psychopathological symptoms such as anxiety or depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the aims of the present research were, firstly, to study the effectiveness of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program in reducing psychopathological symptoms in hospital staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as, its effectiveness in increasing mindfulness-related skills, self-compassion, body awareness, and reducing stress levels. This parallel randomized controlled trial consisted of 97 hospital workers who were divided into two groups: the experimental group (n=54) and the control group (n=44). To test the efficacy of the program, participants' levels of psychopathological symptoms, mindfulness-related skills, self-compassion, body awareness, and stress were assessed and compared before and after the intervention. The results show a significant group×time interaction and significant differences in somatizations (p=.03; η2p=.047), depression (p=.01; η2p=.103) and anxiety (p=.02; η2p=.054). As well as in the following secondary outcomes: from the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire: Observing (p=.001; η2p=.176), acting with awareness (p=.01; η2p=.151), nonjudging; (p=.01; η2p=.103) and nonreactivity (p=.02; η2p=.101). In the Self-Compassion Scale: self-kindness (p=.029; η2p=.049), mindfulness (p=.033; η2p=.047), self-judgment (p=.016; η2p=.060) and isolation (p=.025; η2p=.051. And finally, in the Body awareness subscale from Self-Body Connection (p=.044; η2p=.042). These results highlight the importance of providing hospital staff with skills that help them connect in the present with their feelings and thoughts, without judgment and with self-compassion, to protect them from suffering an increase in their symptoms of somatization, anxiety, and depression, in adverse times like a pandemic.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call