The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MBCT) on Emotional Balance and Psychological Security in Students with Shyness

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy (MBCT) on emotional balance and psychological security in students suffering from shyness. Methods and Materials: The research employed a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test and a control group. The statistical population consisted of all undergraduate female psychology students at Islamic Azad University of Babol during the 2023–2024 academic year. A total of 40 participants were selected, with 20 assigned to the experimental group and 20 to the control group. To collect data, the following instruments were used: Bradburn’s Emotional Balance Scale (1969), Maslow’s Psychological Security Questionnaire (1952), and the Cheek and Buss Shyness Scale (1990). The experimental group received an intervention based on the mindfulness-based cognitive therapy protocol developed by Kabat-Zinn (2003), implemented over eight 90-minute sessions. The control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA).Findings: The findings revealed significant differences between the pre-test and post-test scores of the experimental and control groups regarding emotional balance and psychological security among students with shyness.Conclusion: The study concluded that MBCT is effective in enhancing emotional balance and psychological security in students experiencing shyness.