The Effects of Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction (IBSR) on Mental Health and Well-Being among a Non-Clinical Sample
Abstract
Background Mental problems are highly common among the general population. Mind-body interventions were found to be highly effective in treating them. The current study assessed the effect of Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction (IBSR) meditation on psychological parameters in a general population sample.Methods Ninety-seven Participants enrolled in a 28-day workshop and completed a set of self-administered measures before and after the workshop. Outcome measures included Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomology-Self Report (QIDS-SR 16), Outcome Questionnaire OQ-45.2, The Quality of Life Inventory (QOLI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form (STAI), State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) (State), Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS), Eating Attitudes Test (EAT).Results BDI scale decreased significantly before and after the intervention. QIDS scale improved significantly from T1 to T2 (p < 0.001). Outcome questionnaire decreased significantly at T2. Quality of life scores improved significantly between T1 and T2 (p < 0.001). Anxiety state and trait scores decreased significantly after the intervention (p < 0.001) All the subscales of anger decreased significantly after the intervention (p < 0.001).Subjective happiness improved significantly (p < 0.001).Conclusions IBSR meditation improved various psychological scales among a general population sample. Further controlled studies should evaluate the clinical implementation of IBSR among the general population.
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Other studies conducted with the IBSR intervention technique that examined its effect on anxiety in the general population reported a significant improvement in trait anxiety as part of the STAI instrument.
“Other studies conducted with the IBSR intervention technique that examined its effect on anxiety in the general population reported a significant improvement in trait anxiety as part of the STAI instrument [37,56,59].”
From Inquiry based stress reduction (Ibsr) improves overall stuttering experience among adults who stutter: A randomized controlled trial (2021) · cites this paper as [59]
By challenging stressful beliefs, IBSR participants can reduce negative emotions and adopt a more balanced approach to stress, enhancing their ability to manage distressing situations.
“By challenging these beliefs, participants can reduce negative emotions and adopt a more balanced approach to stress, enhancing their ability to manage distressing situations.”
From Comprehensive review of chronic stress pathways and the efficacy of behavioral stress reduction programs (BSRPs) in managing diseases. (2024) · cites this paper as [224]
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- Authors
- Smernoff, E., Mitnik, I., & Lev-ari, S.
- Affiliations
- Tel Aviv University (IL)
- Venue
- Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2019-02
- Volume
- 34
- Pages
- 30-34
- ISSN
- 1744-3881 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2898103164
- Cited by
- 14
- References
- 33
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 2
- FWCI
- 1.47
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- “The Work” Foundation, USA
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
- Keywords
- meditation, mind-body interventions, stress reduction, mental health, well-being, anxiety, anger, quality of life, subjective happiness, eating attitudes, non-clinical population
- MeSH terms
- Anxiety, Female, Happiness, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Middle Aged, Quality of Life, Surveys and Questionnaires, Meditation, Self Report
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