BACKGROUND:
Healthcare students are exposed to high levels of stress, anxiety, and psychological distress, particularly during clinical internships. Mindfulness-based interventions, such as MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction), have proven effectiveness in reducing anxiety, stress, and depressive symptoms, while enhancing self-efficacy, and the ability to handle complex situations in clinical settings. However, there is limited research focusing on midwifery students concerning psychological well-being and stress management, despite evidence of significant stress, anxiety, and burnout among midwives.

OBJECTIVES:
This study aims to evaluate the impact of MBSR on reducing anxiety and stress while enhancing psychological well-being among third-year midwifery students, in relation to their clinical internship.

METHODS:
27 third-year midwifery students at the University of Bologna will be recruited before their clinical internship in the delivery room. An 8-week MBSR program will be integrated into their academic schedule, facilitated by a psychologist. The study will follow a pre- and post-test design with a baseline evaluation (T0) before the MBSR program and four follow up assessments every 8 weeks (T1, T2, T3, and T4). Participants’ levels of stress, anxiety, and wellbeing will be evaluated in every follow up, using validated questionnaires, specifically FFMQ-39, GHQ-12, PSS-10, and DASS-21. Additionally, students’ adherence to the mindfulness intervention and the frequency and methods of autonomous practice will be enquired.

RESULTS:
The study is scheduled to commence in October 2025, with findings from evaluations T0 to T3 expected to be available by June 2026.

CONCLUSIONS:
Conclusions will inform the development of training programs that provide future midwives with tools to manage stress, anxiety, and burnout, while contributing new insights into strategies that promote psychological well-being in midwifery and other healthcare professions.

KEY MESSAGE:
This study aims to determine whether the implementation of an MBSR program is an effective approach to reduce stress and anxiety while enhancing well-being among third-year midwifery students. Poster session 3 (Group B)