The effect of a mindfulness based cognitive therapy program on depression, anxiety, stress, and cognitive flexibility in nursing students: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Background

It is known that the depression, anxiety, and stress levels of the nursing students are higher compared to the general student population. Nursing educators should use evidence-based, effective, and innovative interventions to help students recognize and reduce their mental symptoms.

Aim

This study aimed to determine the effect of the online mindfulness-based cognitive therapy program, which was implemented for nursing students, on depression, anxiety, stress and cognitive flexibility levels.

Methods

This randomized controlled trial study adopted a pretest-posttest-follow-up test research design.

Results

As a result of the analyses, the intervention group had lower scores in the post-test and follow-up test measurements of the depression, anxiety and stress dimensions of the Depression-Anxiety and Stress Scale compared to the control group, and there was a statistically significant difference between them (p < 0.05). The post-test and follow-up test Cognitive Flexibility Inventory scores of intervention students were higher than those of the students in the control group and there was a statistically significant difference between them (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The results of this study demonstrate that this program can reduce depression, anxiety, stress and increase cognitive flexibility levels among nursing students.