Preventing Burnout in Psychiatric Nurses: A Study on the Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Techniques

Abstract

Abstract Objective This study aims to ascertain the validity and effectiveness of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) technique in reducing stress and preventing emotional burnout among psychiatric nurses, with the goal of introducing it as a resource-efficient intervention in psychiatric medical institutions. Materials and methods From November 1, 2022, to February 28, 2023, we selected 50 participants, comprising 34 women and 16 men, from three medical institutions in the Republic of Kazakhstan. These participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group, each consisting of 25 respondents. The experimental group received the MBSR technique as a psychological intervention. We assessed both groups using the Depression Symptom Scale-90 (SCL-90), the Depression Self-Report Scale (SDS), and the Nurses' Stress Rating Scale (NSS) before and after the intervention. These scales are standard tools for self-diagnosis of mental health and stress levels. Results (1) Following the application of the MBSR technique, the respondents in the experimental group experienced a significant decrease in SCL-90 scores, demonstrating a statistically significant difference from their scores before the intervention (p < 0.001). No statistically significant difference was observed in this indicator within the control group (p > 0.05). (2) Post-intervention, SDS scores significantly decreased in the experimental group, with a notable statistical difference from the pre-intervention scores (p < 0.001). Conversely, no statistically significant difference was found in the control group (p > 0.05). (3) After the intervention, the Nurse Stress Rating Scale (NSS) score significantly decreased within the experimental group, with a statistically significant difference from the pre-intervention score (p < 0.001). Conclusions The utilization of the MBSR technique effectively reduces stress, alleviates anxiety and depressive moods, and mitigates negative emotions among psychiatric nurses, thus serving as a preventive measure against emotional burnout.