Dispositional Mindfulness and Perceived Stress in Psychiatric and Nonpsychiatric Physicians: A Facet-level Pilot Study

OBJECTIVES: Perceived stress is a significant concern among health care professionals, with potential consequences for mental health and clinical performance. This study examined associations between dispositional mindfulness and perceived stress among Indian physicians working in psychiatric and nonpsychiatric specializations within hierarchical systems with limited institutional support. METHODS: In this cross-sectional pilot study, 62 clinicians (39 nonpsychiatric and 23 psychiatric physicians) completed the Perceived Stress Scale and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-Short Form. Independent samples t tests compared perceived stress and mindfulness scores between the groups. Correlations and linear regression analyses were conducted to examine relationships between mindfulness and perceived stress. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found between psychiatric and nonpsychiatric physicians in perceived stress, t(59)=0.98, P=0.329, d=0.27, or total mindfulness, t(59)=-1.31, P=0.186, d=0.35. Across the sample, higher dispositional mindfulness was strongly associated with lower perceived stress, r(60)=-0.65, P<0.001, r²=0.43, particularly for the Describe and Acting with Awareness facets. Linear regression indicated that mindfulness was significantly related to perceived stress, β=-0.65, t=-6.66, P<0.001, accounting for 42.5% of the variance. CONCLUSIONS: These findings cautiously suggest that dispositional mindfulness may serve as a potential psychological resource for stress regulation and burnout prevention among clinicians. Further research is warranted to validate these associations in larger and more diverse samples and to explore practical applications within wellness initiatives.