The effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy education on self-criticism and fear of failure in people with heart disease

Aim: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy education on self-criticism and fear of failure in people with heart disease Background: Cardiovascular disease is already considered as the most common serious illness in advanced countries. Self-criticism and fear of failure may have a negative effect on physical health and cause heart disease. Method: In this experimental pretest posttest study with control group, the study population consisted of all people with heart disease referred to Mostafa Khomeini Hospital, located in Behbahan, Iran. Thirty patients with heart disease were recruited through consecutive sampling based on inclusion criteria and were allocated to either experimental (n=15) or control (n=15) group. The data collection tools included self-criticality test, fear of failure questionnaire. The practical guide for cognitive therapy based on mind-awareness was used to guide the intervention. Data were analyzed in SPSS 18 using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings: The findings of this study showed that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy education reduced fear of failure (P≤0.0001, F=22.53) and self-criticism (P≤0.0001, F=22.23) in experimental group relative to control group. Conclusion: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy education can be considered as an effective way for reducing self-criticism and fear of failure in people with heart disease.