The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Resilience of Vulnerable Women at Drop-In Centers in the Southeast of Iran

Abstract

Background: Vulnerable women such as female sex workers and addicted women are among vulnerable groups affecting the social and mental health of societies. They are prone to psychological problems such as anxiety, stress and reduced resilience due to their lifestyles. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is among interventions that many psychotherapists use to treat stress and anxiety. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of MBSR on resilience of the vulnerable women. Methods: The statistical population of this quasi-experimental study consisted of all eligible women referred to the drop-in centers in Kerman in the southeast of Iran. Sixty-three vulnerable women were randomly assigned into two groups of intervention (n=30) and control (n=33). The MBSR intervention was conducted for the intervention group in eight 90-minute sessions. Demographic characteristics questionnaire, and Connor-Davidson resilience scale were used to collect data before and one month after the MBSR intervention.Results: The results showed that the pre-test score of resilience was not significantly different between the intervention (53.40 ± 10.49) and the control (54.5 ± 9.27) groups (t=0.43, p=0.66). The posttest score of resilience in the intervention group (60.66 ± 6.71) was significantly higher than that of the control group (53.88 ± 7.54) (t = 3.58, P = 0.001). Moreover, a comparison of the pretest and posttest scores revealed a significant decrease in resilience of the control group (t=2.81, p=0.009).Conclusion: Since MBSR intervention increased resilience of the vulnerable women, researchers, managers, counselors, community health nurses and psychiatric nurses are suggested to consider such interventions to promote the health of women, especially vulnerable ones.

Adverse childhood experiences in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease: A retrospective cohort study

“…Resilient individuals are healthier, 34 have happier and healthy relationships, 35 and are more successful in their educational and vocational pursuits 36 . Recommended ACE‐protective interventions targeting resilience include social and emotional competency training, 37,38 increasing social connectedness, 39–41 mindfulness‐based stress reduction, 42 and strength‐based cognitive behavioral therapy 43 . The Trauma‐Informed Care Model provides a patient‐centered, evidence‐based framework for ACE awareness, patient–provider trust, interdisciplinary collaboration, cultural sensitivity, and strength‐based, resilience‐oriented care 44 .…”

The effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention on alleviating anxiety and depression in postoperative patients with cervical cancer

“…Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is a nonpharmacological intervention based on positive thinking, which enhances the ability to live with stress and improves quality of life by positive thinking sessions involving positive diet, meditation, body scanning, yoga, nonjudgmental attitudes, and management of stressors and emotions. [8][9][10] It has been successfully applied in foreign countries for emotion management, stress relief and clinical treatment of illnesses. [11,12] At present, MBSR is widely used in the field of psychotherapy at abroad.…”