Workplace Stress Among School Teachers: Minfulness Based Stress Reduction Intervention

N/ACompletedNCT07751926

Riphah International University86 enrolled

Overview

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an eightweek Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program in reducing workplace stress among secondary school teachers from public and private schools in the Malakand Division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Eligible teachers experiencing moderate to high workplace stress will be randomly assigned to either an MBSR intervention group or a wait-list control group. Stress levels will be assessed before and after the intervention using the Workplace Stress Scale (WSS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The study also aims to compare stress levels between public and private school teachers and investigate gender differences in intervention outcomes. This description aligns with your synopsis objectives and design.

Workplace stress is one of the most significant occupational health challenges among school teachers and negatively affects psychological well-being, teaching effectiveness, and educational quality. Teachers frequently encounter excessive workload, administrative demands, classroom management difficulties, and work-life imbalance, making them particularly vulnerable to chronic stress. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, is an evidence-based intervention designed to cultivate present-moment awareness and non-judgmental acceptance through mindfulness meditation, body scanning, mindful yoga, and other mindfulness practices. Numerous studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing psychological stress and improving emotional well-being across diverse populations. This study will employ a two-arm parallel randomized controlled trial with pretest and posttest assessments. Eighty-six eligible secondary school teachers will be randomly allocated to either the experimental group receiving the standardized eight-week MBSR program or a wait-list control group receiving no intervention during the study period. The intervention consists of weekly 2.5-hour group sessions, a day-long retreat between Weeks 6 and 7, and daily home practice of 30-45 minutes. Outcome measures include workplace stress and perceived stress assessed before and immediately after the intervention. The study will also evaluate whether the effectiveness of MBSR differs by school sector (public versus private) and gender.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Interventions

MBSRBEHAVIORAL

Experimental Group Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Participants will receive the standardized eight-week MBSR program delivered in weekly 2.5-hour group sessions by trained instructors. The Experimental Group Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Participants will receive the standardized eight-week MBSR program delivered in weekly 2.5-hour group sessions by trained instructors. The intervention includes body scan meditation, sitting meditation, mindful yoga, breathing exercises, interpersonal mindfulness, a day-long mindfulness retreat, and daily home practice (30-45 minutes). Behavioral Intervention Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Wait-list Control Group Participants assigned to the control group will continue their usual routine without receiving the intervention during the study period. They will be offered the MBSR program after completion of post-intervention assessments.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 60 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Secondary school teachers employed in public or private schools in District Swat, Pakistan. * Currently employed as a full-time teacher with at least one year of teaching experience. * Reporting moderate to high workplace stress, as determined by the Workplace Stress Scale (WSS) during screening. * Able to read and understand Urdu or English. * Willing to participate in the 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program. * Able to attend weekly intervention sessions and complete home practice assignments. * Willing to provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Current diagnosis of a severe psychiatric disorder (e.g., psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, or severe major depressive disorder) that may interfere with participation. * Current participation in another psychological or stress-management intervention. * Regular mindfulness, meditation, or yoga practice (defined as practicing at least once per week during the previous six months). * Cognitive impairment or neurological disorder that would prevent completion of study assessments or participation in the intervention. * Planned extended leave, retirement, or transfer from the school during the study period. * Inability or unwillingness to attend the intervention sessions or complete the study assessments. * Declines or withdraws informed consent at any stage of the study.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change from Baseline in Workplace Stress Scale Scores at 8 Weeks

Workplace stress will be measured using the Workplace Stress Scale (WSS), an 8-item self-report questionnaire that assesses occupational stress experienced in the workplace. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (Never) to 5 (Very Often). Total scores range from 8 to 40, with higher scores indicating greater workplace stress. The primary outcome will be the change in total WSS score from baseline (Week 0) to post-intervention (Week 8).

Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8)

Secondary Outcomes

Change from Baseline in Perceived Stress Scale Scores at 8 Weeks

Perceived stress will be measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), a 10-item self-report questionnaire assessing the extent to which individuals perceive situations in their lives as stressful during the previous month. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 0 (Never) to 4 (Very Often). Total scores range from 0 to 40, with higher scores indicating greater perceived stress. The secondary outcome will be the change in total PSS-10 score from baseline (Week 0) to post-intervention (Week 8).