Mindfulness-Based Interventions as Holistic Strategy for Psychiatric Nurse Burnout: A Narrative Review

Psychiatric nurses experience elevated burnout rates due to emotionally demanding environments. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have emerged as promising strategies for burnout reduction. This study aimed to examine evidence on MBIs for reducing burnout in psychiatric nurses through narrative synthesis. Systematic CINAHL search (January 2025) using Boolean operators yielded 276 articles. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, 12 studies (2020-2024) were selected examining mindfulness interventions and burnout outcomes in nursing populations. Eight-week MBSR programs demonstrated large effect sizes (standardized mean difference: -4.27 for emotional exhaustion, -2.89 for depersonalization). In psychiatric nurses, 75% achieved meaningful burnout reduction versus 40% controls. Benefits persisted at 3-month follow-up. MBIs represent evidence-based strategies for nursing burnout, particularly in psychiatric settings. Implementation requires organizational support. Future research should examine long-term sustainability and psychiatric nursing-specific adaptations.