Cited by 150Mindfulness and Compassion InterventionsNursing care and researchCancer survivorship and care

The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on the Mental Health of Family Caregivers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Hou, Rebecca Jing, Wong, Samuel Yeung-Shan, Yip, Benjamin Hon-Kei, Hung, Anchor T.F., Lo, Herman Hay-Ming, Chan, Peter H.S., Lo, Cola S.L., Kwok, Timothy Chi-Yui +4 more·2014·Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics

Abstract

Background: Caregivers of people with chronic conditions are more likely than non-caregivers to have depression and emotional problems. Few studies have examined the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in improving their mental well-being. Methods: Caregivers of persons with chronic conditions who scored 7 or above in the Caregiver Strain Index were randomly assigned to the 8-week MBSR group (n = 70) or the self-help control group (n = 71). Validated instruments were used to assess the changes in depressive and anxiety symptoms, quality of life, self-efficacy, self-compassion and mindfulness. Assessments were conducted at baseline, post-intervention and at the 3-month follow-up. Results: Compared to the participants in the control group, participants in the MBSR group had a significantly greater decrease in depressive symptoms at post-intervention and at 3 months post-intervention (p < 0.01). The improvement in state anxiety symptoms was significantly greater among participants in the MBSR group than those of the control group at post-intervention (p = 0.007), although this difference was not statistically significant at 3 months post-intervention (p = 0.084). There was also a statistically significant larger increase in self-efficacy (controlling negative thoughts; p = 0.041) and mindfulness (p = 0.001) among participants in the MBSR group at the 3-month follow-up compared to the participants in the control group. No statistically significant group effects (MBSR vs. control) were found in perceived stress, quality of life or self-compassion. Conclusions: MBSR appears to be a feasible and acceptable intervention to improve mental health among family caregivers with significant care burden, although further studies that include an active control group are needed to make the findings more conclusive.

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  1. [25]25. Chung MH, Philips DA: The Relationship Between Attitude Toward Physical Education and Leisure-Time Exercise in High School Students. Physical Educator 2002; 593: 126.
  2. [31]31. Ying YW: Depressive symptomatology among Chinese-Americans as measured by the CES-D. J Clin Psychol 1988; 445: 739-46.

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Authors
Hou, R. J., Wong, S. Y.-S., Yip, B. H.-K., Hung, A. T. F., Lo, H. H.-M., Chan, P. H. S., Lo, C. S. L., Kwok, T. C.-Y., Tang, W. K., Mak, W. W. S., Mercer, S. W., & Ma, S. H.
Affiliations
  • Chinese University of Hong Kong (HK)
  • Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council Limited (HK)
  • Castle Peak Hospital (CN)
  • University of Glasgow (GB)
  • University of Hong Kong (HK)
Venue
Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics
Publisher
S. Karger AG
Published
2013-11-19
Volume
83
Issue
1
Pages
45-53
ISSN
  • 0033-3190 (ISSN-L)
  • 1423-0348
OpenAlex
W2082355999
Cited by
150
References
57
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 25 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 3
FWCI
9.26
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • ENLIGHTEN (Jurnal Bimbingan dan Konseling Islam) (acceptedVersion)
Funders
Food and Health Bureau
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Nursing care and research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
Keywords
mindfulness-based stress reduction, family caregivers, caregiver mental health, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, self-efficacy, self-compassion, mindfulness, chronic disease, caregiver burden, quality of life, perceived stress
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Analysis of Variance, Anxiety, Chronic Disease, Depression, Family Health, Female, Hong Kong, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Quality of Life, Surveys and Questionnaires, Self Care, Stress, Psychological, Caregivers, Outcome Assessment, Health Care, Self Efficacy, Mindfulness

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