The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on Psychological Resilience and Somatic Symptoms (Somatization) in Adolescents with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Keywords:
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Psychological Resilience, Somatization, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, AdolescentsAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in improving psychological resilience and reducing somatic symptoms among adolescents with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Methods and Materials: This randomized controlled study employed a pretest–posttest design with a control group and a three-month follow-up. The statistical population consisted of adolescents aged 13–18 years with a confirmed diagnosis of IBS who attended pediatric gastroenterology clinics and specialized medical centers in Tehran, Iran, during 2026. A total of 40 eligible adolescents were selected and randomly assigned to an MBSR group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 20). The intervention group participated in eight weekly 90-minute MBSR sessions, while the control group received routine medical care without a structured psychological intervention. Data were collected using the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale and the Children's Somatization Inventory-24 at pretest, posttest, and three-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni-adjusted pairwise comparisons at a significance level of .05.
Findings: Repeated-measures analysis showed a significant time × group interaction for psychological resilience, F(2, 76) = 38.57, p < .001, partial η² = .504, and for somatization, F(1.74, 66.12) = 43.21, p < .001, partial η² = .532. Bonferroni comparisons indicated that psychological resilience increased significantly from pretest to posttest (mean difference = 16.25, p < .001) and remained significantly higher at follow-up (mean difference = 14.70, p < .001). Somatization significantly decreased from pretest to posttest (mean difference = 15.15, p < .001) and remained significantly lower at follow-up (mean difference = 13.70, p < .001). No significant differences were observed between posttest and follow-up for either outcome, indicating maintenance of treatment effects.
Conclusion: MBSR was effective in enhancing psychological resilience and reducing somatic symptoms in adolescents with IBS, and these improvements were maintained over a three-month follow-up period. The findings support the use of developmentally adapted MBSR as a complementary psychological intervention in multidisciplinary care for adolescents with IBS.
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