The effect of mindfulness-based psychoeducation program on adolescents' irrational beliefs, negative affects and bullying behaviors

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a conscious awareness-based psychoeducation program on adolescents' irrational beliefs, negative emotions, and bullying behaviors. A mixed methods approach with an explanatory sequential design was used, involving a true experimental design with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up assessments. The data collection tools included the Irrational Belief Scale, PANAS, the Peer Bullying Scale and semi-structured interview forms for both students and teachers. The study included 15 experimental and 12 control group students in a high school in Orta Karadeniz in 2024-2025. Qualitative data were collected from experimental group students and their teachers through focus group interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U, Friedman ANOVA, and Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests; qualitative data were examined through content analysis. As a result of the interviews, 6 themes and 17 codes were obtained from the students and 1 theme and 3 codes were obtained from the teachers. It was determined in the statistical and content analysis that, with the effect of psychoeducation, the irrational beliefs, negative emotions and bullying behaviors of the experimental group students decreased. The findings were interpreted in light of the literature, and recommendations were made.