The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Training on the Emotions and Life Satisfaction of the Personnel of Military Organization

The aim of this research work was to evaluate the impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction training on the positive and negative emotions and life satisfaction among the army personnel. The quasi - experimental method with pretest and posttest was employed to carry out this study. The statistical population was composed of the military personnel of one of the garrisons in Shahrood, Iran. A sample of 40 subjects was randomly selected and assigned into experimental and control groups. Both experimental and control group were administered Diener’s Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale in two 90-minute sessions under the same conditions. Then the experimental group was given eight 90-minutes sessions of mindfulness training during 8 weeks, and the control group did not receive any training. After completing the training, both groups were administered the PANAS and the Satisfaction with Life Scale under the same conditions. The results revealed that mindfulness-based stress reduction training significantly affects positive and negative emotions and life satisfaction among the army personnel in Shahrood, Iran. It increased their positive emotions and life satisfaction and decreased their negative emotions. The hypotheses related to positive and negative emotions were tested using the multivariate analysis of covariance and those related to life satisfaction were tested using the univariate analysis of covariance. Given the results of the present study, it is suggested that the mindfulness-based stress reduction plans and approaches be considered in order to improve the performance of organizations.