A Quasi-Experimental Study on the Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training on Emotional Self-Regulation, Anxiety, and Sense of Coherence in Women with Breast Cancer

Abstract

Objective: This study investigates the impact of mindfulness training on emotional self-regulation, anxiety, and sense of coherence in women with breast cancer. Methods and Materials: A quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test design with a control group and a three-month follow-up was employed. The sample consisted of 30 breast cancer patients in Tehran in 2023, selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to experimental (mindfulness training) and control groups (15 participants each). Data were analyzed using SPSS-22 software with repeated measures ANOVA. Findings: Mindfulness training significantly improved emotional self-regulation (F=39.45, p<0.001, η²=0.405), reduced anxiety (F=47.89, p<0.001, η²=0.453), and enhanced sense of coherence (F=34.67, p<0.001, η²=0.374) in the experimental group compared to the control group. Post-hoc tests confirmed significant improvements from pre-test to post-test and follow-up stages (p<0.001). Conclusion: Mindfulness training is effective in enhancing emotional self-regulation, reducing anxiety, and increasing the sense of coherence among women with breast cancer. These findings suggest the incorporation of mindfulness training in therapeutic interventions for this population. © 2025 the authors.