Development of a Mindfulness-Based Psychological Coping Skills Training Package for Cancer

Authors

    Shirin Karimpour Department of Health Psychology, Ki.C, Islamic Azad University, Kish, Iran.
    Kobra Haji Alizadeh * Department of Psychology, BA.C., Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas, Iran. Hajializadehk@iau.ac.ir
    Eghbal Zarei Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran.

Keywords:

Mindfulness, coping skills , breast cancer

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to develop a mindfulness-based psychological coping skills training package for women with breast cancer. The study was conducted in both qualitative and quantitative phases using a mixed-methods approach. In the qualitative phase, thematic analysis and in-depth interviews with 12 patients were employed to identify and code concepts and themes related to patients’ lived experiences. Subsequently, the content and structure of the protocol were developed and validated with input from 15 experts. The final package consisted of ten training sessions focused on understanding psychological, social, cultural, and economic factors; strengthening coping skills; teaching mindfulness practices; and stress-management strategies. The results indicated that the mindfulness-based training package significantly reduced stress, decreased cortisol levels, and enhanced psychological self-efficacy in women with breast cancer. The findings highlight the importance of designing mindfulness-based interventions to promote mental health and improve quality of life among patients.

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Published

2026-03-01

Submitted

2025-10-01

Revised

2025-12-12

Accepted

2025-12-14

How to Cite

Karimpour, S., Haji Alizadeh, K., & Zarei, E. (2026). Development of a Mindfulness-Based Psychological Coping Skills Training Package for Cancer. Mental Health and Lifestyle Journal, 4(2), 1-17. https://www.mhljournal.com/index.php/mhlj/article/view/163