The Effect of Korean Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Program on Perceived Stress and Depression for Mothers of Children and Adolescents with a Mental Disorder

Purpose: This study applied the Korean Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (K-MBSR) program for mothers of children and adolescents with mental illnesses, and verified its effectiveness on perceived stress and depression based on the Middle-range theory of caregiver stress. Methods: A quasi-experimental, non-equivalent control group pre-post test design was used. The K-MBSR program was reconstructed with experts’ advice to adjust subjects’ characters. Using a group approach, sessions were conducted once a week for six weeks, and each session took 2.5 hours. Results: The experimental group did not show a significant decrease in perceived stress than the control group. However, the experimental group showed a significant decrease in depression than the control group. Conclusion: The K-MBSR program was effective for depression. Future studies on high-stress groups or with an extended program are necessary to clarify the effects of the K-MBSR program on perceived stress. These results are consistent with the middle-range theory of caregiver stress, the theoretical framework of this study. When caregivers have similar inputs, proper intervention can change the control process. Further, it can be assumed that this change positively affects the output.