Date of Paper
5-2012
Type of Paper
Clinical research paper
Degree Name
Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)
Department
Social Work
First Advisor
Kendra Garrett
Department/School
Social Work
Abstract
Anxiety and stress are felt by millions of people in the United States, and when experienced at high levels they can leave a debilitating impact, including both physical and mental health concerns. The purpose of this research project was to explore the impact of a mindfulness course, specifically Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, on voluntary participants’ reported symptoms of anxiety and stress levels. The 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction course took place in a mid-sized Midwestern city. Using quantitative methods the 10 voluntary participants were given a pre- and post-test survey where the participants reported their anxiety, stress, and mindfulness levels before and after the 8-week course. The researcher then compared the anxiety, stress, and mindfulness scores from pre-test to post-test survey administration. The findings indicated that the participants’ reported levels of anxiety and stress both significantly decreased at the time of the post-test compared to the pre-test administration. Also, participants reported a significant increase in their mindfulness awareness at the time of the post-test compared to the pre-test administration. These findings suggest that a mindfulness practice may be a successful intervention for mental health practitioners to use with clients in alleviating symptoms of anxiety and stress.
Recommended Citation
Rivord, Maureen. (2012). Impact of MBSR on Symptoms of Anxiety, Stress, and on the Degree of Mindfulness. Retrieved from Sophia, the St. Catherine University repository website: https://sophia.stkate.edu/msw_papers/80