Effect of a mindfulness-based psychoeducational program on psychological flexibility and perceived stress among psychiatric patients

Background: Psychiatric patients frequently experience elevated perceived stress and diminished psychological flexibility, contributing to impaired mental health and daily functioning. Mindfulness-based psychoeducational interventions have demonstrated efficacy in enhancing psychological flexibility and reducing stress by promoting present-moment awareness and adaptive coping strategies. Aim: This study intended to assess the effect of a mindfulness-based psychoeducational program on psychological flexibility and perceived stress among psychiatric patients. Subjects and Method: A one-group quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design was employed, involving a purposive sample of 50 psychiatric inpatients from Minia Hospital for Mental Health and Addiction Treatment. Participants completed three standardized instruments Personal and Clinical Data Questionnaire, the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire before and immediately following the psychoeducational intervention. Results: The mindfulness-based intervention significantly increased participants' mindfulness scores (pre vs. post) and reduced moderate-to-high perceived stress prevalence (pre vs. post). Psychological flexibility improved modestly, with inflexible classifications decreasing from 74% to 68%. Strong negative correlations emerged between mindfulness and perceived stress, and positive correlations between mindfulness and psychological flexibility, supporting the program's therapeutic mechanisms. Conclusion: The mindfulness-based intervention effectively enhanced mindfulness, reduced perceived stress, and improved psychological flexibility among psychiatric patients. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating mindfulness practices in interventions to promote psychological well-being and stress management. Recommendations: Psychiatric nurses should undergo specialized training in mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), integrating formal and informal mindfulness techniques into routine care, while identifying and addressing barriers to patient engagement to enhance effectiveness.