Mindfulness and related factors among Iranian nursing students: A cross-sectional study

Nursing students experience a number of emotional challenges during their educations, leading to high levels of stress among them. One of the strategies of stress management in nursing students is the use of mindfulness. This study aimed to assess mindfulness and related factors among Iranian nursing students. In a cross-sectional study, ۱۰۰ nursing students studying at Nasibeh Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery affiliated to Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Iran was enrolled. Data were collected via census sampling from May to June ۲۰۱۸. Data were collected using a three-part questionnaire including demographic characteristics, Kentucky Mindfulness Skills scale, and Spielberger State Anxiety scale. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, t-test, Chi-squared, and ANOVA tests. The mean score of mindfulness of nursing students was ۱۱۷.۳۵ ± ۱۲.۸۹. The mean scores of mindfulness in the dimensions of observation, description, act with awareness, and acceptance without Judgment was ۳۶.۳۳ ± ۶.۰, ۲۵.۶۸ ± ۴.۹۱, ۲۸.۱۷ ± ۴.۴۹, and ۲۷.۱۷ ± ۳.۸۰, respectively. The mean score of anxiety in nursing students was ۱۴.۱۷ ± ۳.۷۸. There was a significant relationship between age and dimension "description" of mindfulness (r = ۰.۲۲, p = ۰.۰۲۹). There was a significant relationship between dimension "observation" of mindfulness and experience stressful events during the last six months (t = ۲.۳۲۷, df = ۹۶, p = ۰.۰۲۲). Therefore, due to the importance of mindfulness among nursing students, it is possible to reduce the risk factor by creating the necessary conditions such as continuing education.