<b>From Burnout to Balance: A Mixed-Method Study on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in ABA Practitioners </b>

Burnout is a significant concern among Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapists due to the emotionally demanding nature of their work with individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in reducing burnout and enhancing mindfulness among ABA therapists in Pakistan. A quantitative pre-post design was used, involving 12 ABA therapists who participated in an eight-week MBSR program. The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) were administered before and after the intervention. Results indicated significant reductions in overall burnout, particularly in emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, while personal accomplishment scores increased post-intervention. Likewise, mindfulness scores improved significantly across all five subscales. Correlational analysis revealed a strong negative association between mindfulness and burnout components, suggesting that higher mindfulness was linked with lower emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, and greater personal accomplishment. Additionally, therapists with fewer years of experience, younger age, and longer working hours reported higher burnout levels. These findings highlight the potential of MBSR as a practical and accessible tool to enhance emotional regulation, resilience, and professional sustainability in high-stress therapeutic settings. Limitations include small sample size and lack of follow-up data. Future research should explore long-term effects and use larger, more diverse samples.