Effect of a mindfulness based intervention on stress and mindfulness among primary caregivers of patients with alcohol dependence syndrome: An experimental study

Ambily Joy; Renju Sussan Baby

Volume : VI, Issue : IX, September - 2017

Effect of a mindfulness based intervention on stress and mindfulness among primary caregivers of patients with alcohol dependence syndrome: An experimental study

Ambily Joy, Renju Sussan Baby

Abstract :

Alcoholism negatively affects the physical, psychological, financial, emotional wellbeing of the individual, family as well as the society. The study was aimed to assess the stress and mindfulness among primary care givers of patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome, to evaluate the effect of mindfulness based intervention on stress and mindfulness among primary care givers of patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome. A quantitative approach was used with pre experimental design. Thirty six caregivers of patient with alcohol dependence syndrome admitted for de-addiction treatment were enrolled as study subjects by consecutive sampling method. Data was collected by using Perceived Stress Scale and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire. Results revealed that 83.3% of subjects were experiencing moderate stress and 16.7% of subjects were experiencing high stress before the intervention. There was significant reduction in the mean PSS score (MD= 7.5) after mindfulness based intervention. There was significant reduction in the level of stress among the subjects after mindfulness based intervention (t=- 13.74 p=0.001). There was significant increase in the mean mindfulness score (MD= -28.2) after mindfulness based intervention. There was significant improvement in the mindfulness among the subjects after mindfulness based intervention (t=-11.08 p=0.001). No significant correlation was found between stress and mindfulness (r= -0.001 p=0.9). Conclusion: Mindfulness Based Intervention has proved to be an effective stress management strategy that can be used widely among caregivers experiencing chronic stress.