Impact of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on counseling self-efficacy: A randomized controlled crossover trial

Chan, Sunny H.W.; Yu, Calvin Kai-Ching; Li, Alex W.O.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the impact of a structured eight-week mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) program on counseling self-efficacy among counseling trainees. Methods: Undergraduate counseling trainees were randomized to an MBCT group (n = 25) or a waitlist control group (n = 25) with a crossover trial design. Psychological measurements regarding mindfulness, empathy, self-compassion, psychological distress, counseling self-efficacy as well as neuro-physiological measures including frontal midline theta activity, respiration rate, and skin conductance were taken at baseline (T1), after intervention (T2), and six-month follow-up (T3). Results: Mindfulness training could make significant positive changes in empathy, self-compassion, stress reduction, and counseling self-efficacy with this being backed up by both psychological and neuro-physiological evidence at T2. However, such differences between the two groups had greatly subsided after crossover in which carry-over effect and marked improvement were noted in the study and control group, respectively, at T3. In addition, mindfulness was the most significant determinant that contributed to counseling self-efficacy, followed by psychological distress reduction and self-compassion according to the regression models. Conclusion: Integrating mindfulness into counseling training is beneficial for helping profession trainees. Practice implication: Incorporating mindfulness into counseling training can enhance the necessary “being mode” qualities in counseling and address self-care issues during training.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 2, 2021
• Publication Date: Feb 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Oct 30, 2022
• Journal: Patient Education and Counseling
• Print ISSN: 0738-3991
• Electronic ISSN: 1873-5134
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 104
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 360-368
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2020.07.022
• Keywords: General Medicine, Mindfulness, Counseling self-efficacy, Crossover trial design
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10110538
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0738399120303955?via%3Dihub
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Impact of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on counseling self-efficacy: A randomized controlled crossover trial; Journal Title: Patient Education and Counseling; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2020.07.022; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.