The effect of mindfulness-based cognitive counseling group on social anxiety, assertiveness, and self-confidence in nursing students: A randomized controlled trial
Feride Ercan1, Didar Karakaş Ince2, Satı Demir31Department of Mental Health and Diseases Nursing, Gazi University Faculty of Nursing, Ankara, Türkiye2Department of Psychiatric Nursing, Giresun University Faculty of Health Sciences, Giresun, Türkiye
3Retired, Department of Mental Health and Diseases Nursing, Gazi University Faculty of Nursing, Ankara, Türkiye
INTRODUCTION: To assess the effect of group mindfulness-based cognitive counseling on social anxiety, assertiveness, self-confidence and the relationship between variables and their changes over time among nursing students.
METHODS: The study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial with nursing students, who were divided into two groups: an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group (n=21) received eight weeks of mindfulness-based cognitive counseling, while the control group (n=24) received a single-session debriefing meeting after the program was implemented in the intervention group. Competencies were assessed using the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, the Assertiveness Scale, and the Self-Confidence Scale. Data were obtained at pre-test, post-test, and sixth-month follow-up.
RESULTS: The intervention group showed significant improvements in social anxiety, assertiveness, and self-confidence levels compared with the control group. The group×time interaction for social anxiety, assertiveness, and self-confidence levels was statistically significant in the intervention group. In terms of differences between measurement scores over time, a negative relationship was found between social anxiety and assertiveness and self-confidence, while a positive relationship was found between assertiveness and self-confidence levels.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: A mindfulness-based cognitive group counseling program appears to produce positive changes in student nurses’ self-confidence and assertive behaviors and is an effective intervention for reducing social anxiety. This study demonstrates that it is a promising interventional approach for reducing anxiety, strengthening assertive behavior, and increasing self-confidence in nursing students with social anxiety.
Keywords: Assertiveness, mindfulness, nursing students, psychiatric nursing, self-confidence, social anxiety
Manuscript Language: English