The impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction on dimensions of hardiness in mothers of children with cancer

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction program on the dimensions of hardiness in children with cancer.

The present study was an experimental type with pre-test-post-test design with experimental and control group. The statistical population of the study consisted of mothers of children with cancer who were hospitalized in Besat Hospital in May and June 2009, and 43 people announced their readiness to participate in the study. Finally, according to the criteria of entry and exit and drop of the subject, 28 people were selected as a sample and randomly placed in the experimental and control groups, and then after the pre-test; The 8-session Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program was implemented on the experimental group and performed on the experimental and control groups using the kobasa Hardiness Questionnaire after completing the post-test training course. after completing the training, due to the observance of ethical standards, the control group was also trained. Data were tested using covariance statistical analysis.

The results of the study indicated that the mindfulness-based stress reduction program increases the overall score of hardiness in mothers of children with cancer (p = 0.020, F = 17.6). Also, a significant effect was observed on the dimensions of challenge and commitment, but no significant effect was found on the control dimension.

In this study, mindfulness-based stress reduction program increased the scales of challenge and control scores in mothers of children with cancer by impressing the hardiness mechanism. Therefore, the program can be performed on mothers during their children's hospital stay to make it easier for them to tolerance their child's illness.