The effect of mindfulness-based cognitive counseling group on social anxiety, assertiveness, and self-confidence in nursing students: A randomized controlled trial


ERCAN F., Ince D. K., DEMİR S.

JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC NURSING, cilt.17, sa.2, ss.169-181, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus, TRDizin)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 17 Sayı: 2
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.14744/phd.2026.38066
  • Dergi Adı: JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC NURSING
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.169-181
  • Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Objectives: To assess the effect of group mindfulness-based cognitive counseling on social anxiety, assertiveness, selfconfidence and the relationship between variables and their changes over time among nursing students. Methods: The study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial with nursing students, who were divided into two groups: an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group (n=21) received eight weeks of mindfulness-based cognitive counseling, while the control group (n=24) received a single-session debriefing meeting after the program was implemented in the intervention group. Competencies were assessed using the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, the Assertiveness Scale, and the Self-Confidence Scale. Data were obtained at pre-test, post-test, and sixth-month follow-up. Results: The intervention group showed significant improvements in social anxiety, assertiveness, and self-confidence levels compared with the control group. The group & times;time interaction for social anxiety, assertiveness, and self-confidence levels was statistically significant in the intervention group. In terms of differences between measurement scores over time, a negative relationship was found between social anxiety and assertiveness and self-confidence, while a positive relationship was found between assertiveness and self-confidence levels. Conclusion: A mindfulness-based cognitive group counseling program appears to produce positive changes in student nurses' self-confidence and assertive behaviors and is an effective intervention for reducing social anxiety. This study demonstrates that it is a promising interventional approach for reducing anxiety, strengthening assertive behavior, and increasing self-confidence in nursing students with social anxiety.