The effect of Mindfulness-Based Self-Compassion Program applied to caregivers of schizophrenia patients on caregiver burden, life satisfaction and coping levels

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the Mindfulness-Based Self-Compassion Program applied to caregivers of individuals with schizophrenia on caregiver burden, life satisfaction, and coping with stress. This research was designed as a parallel-group randomized controlled trial with a pretest-posttest design and was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06941909). The study sample consisted of caregivers of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia who were registered at the Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic of Selçuk University Faculty of Medicine Hospital. A total of 44 caregivers were included in the study, with 22 in the intervention group and 22 in the control group. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ). Participants in the intervention group received the Mindfulness-Based Self-Compassion Program once a week for eight weeks, while the control group received no intervention. In the evaluation of the data, descriptive statistics, independent and paired samples t-tests, chi-square analyses, and effect size measurements using Cohen's d and partial eta squared were utilized. The interaction between time and group was assessed using mixed ANOVA analysis. Group homogeneity in terms of independent variables was examined with chi-square tests (multi-cell chi-square, Yates corrected chi-square, and Fisher's exact test). According to the findings, the Mindfulness-Based Self-Compassion Program had positive effects on caregiver burden, life satisfaction, and coping strategies among caregivers. After the intervention, significant increases were observed in the intervention group in life satisfaction and effective coping strategies, including the subscales of self-confident approach, optimistic approach, and seeking social support. On the other hand, significant decreases were found in caregiver burden and in ineffective coping strategies, specifically the subscales of helpless approach and submissive approach (p<0.05). While no significant differences were found between the groups at baseline in the total scores of caregiver burden, life satisfaction, or coping styles (p>0.05), post-intervention measurements revealed significant differences in favor of the intervention group (p<0.05). Based on posttest results, the intervention demonstrated a large effect size in reducing caregiver burden (Cohen's d = 0.882), helpless approach (Cohen's d = 0.806), and submissive approach (Cohen's d = 0.592), and in increasing life satisfaction (Cohen's d = 0.843), self-confident approach (Cohen's d = 0.612), optimistic approach (Cohen's d = 0.821), and seeking social support (Cohen's d = 0.622). Mixed ANOVA analyses showed statistically significant time*group interactions across all variables, with the differences stemming from the posttest scores of the intervention group. In conclusion, based on the findings of this study, the Mindfulness-Based Self-Compassion Program can be considered an effective nursing intervention that positively influences caregiver burden, life satisfaction, and coping strategies among caregivers of individuals with schizophrenia. Keywords: Care burden; Mindfulness-Based Self-Compassion Program; Life Satisfaction; Coping with Stress; Schizophrenia.