Psychosocial Correlates of Trait Emotional Intelligence and Psychosomatic Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Among Adolescents Exposed to Bullying. (MBSR-RCT)

This study examines the psychosocial correlates of trait emotional intelligence and psychosomatic symptoms among adolescents exposed to bullying and analyzes the effetiveness of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program through a randomized controlled trial.

The study is two phased, in which the Phase 1 includes a cross sectional correlational survey that was administered to 403 adolescents aged 14 to 18 years studying in secondary schools and colleges of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan to analyze the relationships among childhood traumatic experiences, mindfulness, and level of bullying exposure with trait emotional intelligence and psychosomatic symptoms to identify eligible participants for Phase 2.

In Phase 2, about 44 adolescents meeting eligibility criteria were randomly assigned to either an intervention group that received the 8 week MBSR intervention (n=22) or waitlist control group (n=22). Pre and post assessments were done to examine changes in trait emotional intelligence and psychosomatic symptoms, following the mbsr intervention.

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: Stress; Mindfulness; Childhood Trauma; Psychosomatic Disorders; Emotional Intelligence; Bullying Victimisation; Post Traumatic Stress; Adolescent Mental Health
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

Detailed Description

Bullying exposure is a concerning issue, specially among adolescents. It often results in severe negative physical and psychological outcomes which also includes low emotional intelligence and increased psychosomatic symptoms. Although, there are many studies that have focused on observing the effectiveness of MBSR or Mindfulness based interventions for reducing stress and regulating emotions, but there are very limited studies that have examined these relationships or have tested MBSR as an intervention, solely for adolescents exposed to bullying.

The current study has a two phased quantitative research design:

Phase 1: Cross Sectional Correlational Survery In this phase, about 403 adolescents aged 14 to 18 years, currently studying in secondary schools and colleges of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan were recruited through purposive convinient sampling. They completed a standardized questionnaire including scales such as, Multidimensional Peer Victimization Scale (MPVS-24), the Paediatric ACEs and Related Life Events Screener (PEARLS), the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire Adolescents Short Form (TEIQue-ASF) and the DSM 5 Level 2 Somatic Symptom Scale for Children aged 11 to 17.

Phase 2: Randomized Controlled Trial Adolescents meeting the eligibility criteria based on Phase 1 screening were identified. These adolescents had scored at or above the 75th percentile on the MPVS-24, PEARLS and DSM 5 Level 2 Somatic Symptom indicating significant level of bullying exposure, childhood traumatic experiences and increased psychosomatic symptoms and at or below the 25th percentile on The MAAS and TEIQue-ASF showing low mindfulness and disturbed trait emotional intelligence.

About 44 adolescents that were found eligible were randomized using computer generated random numbers in spss either into interventio group (n=22) who received 8 week MBSR through online platform having 90 minutes sessions and a waitlist control group (n=22) who did not receive any intervention during the study period.

Assessor blinding was used throughout the process of data collection in which the research assistant administering assessments was kept unaware Of participants group assignments. Pre intervention baseline assesssments were conducted at Time 1 and post intervention assessements at Time 2.

After the completion of the study, the waitlist control group received the MBSR program.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 44
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Pakistan
  • Punjab Province
    • Rawalpindi, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 46000
      • Fatima Jinnah Women University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Adolescents aged 14 to 18 years currently enrolled in secondary school and colleges of Rawalpindi and Islamabad Pakistan.

Score at or above 75th percentile on Multidimensional Peer Victimization Scale (MPVS-24) indicating significant bullying exposure.

Score at or above 75th percentile on Pediatric ACEs and Related Life Events Screener (PEARLS) indicating Meaningful childhood trauma history.

Score at or below 25th percentile on Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) Indicating low dispositional mindfulness.

Score at or below 25th percentile on Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire Adolescent Short Form (TEIQue-ASF) indicating Impaired trait emotional intelligence.

Demonstrate increased psychosomatic symptoms on DSM-5 Level 2 Somatic Symptom Scale for Children aged 11 to 17.

Access to smartphone tablet or computer with stable Internet connection for online session participation.

Voluntary assent from participant and written informed consent from parent or guardian.

Exclusion Criteria:

Current diagnosis of severe Psychiatric disorder such as Psychotic disorder.

Currently receiving psychotherapy or any structured psychological treatment.

Currently taking psychiatric or Mental health medication.

Currently practicing mindfulness related exercises such as meditation Yoga or breathing exercises.

Diagnosed chronic physical illness.

Diagnosed physical or learning Disability.

Unwillingness to commit to attending all eight weekly Online MBSR sessions.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: MBSR Intervention Group; Participants assigned to this arm received 8 week sessions online of MBSR. Each session was 90 minutes long and delivered through video conferencing. Sessions included mindfulness meditation, breathing exercises, body scan practices and group discussions.	Behavioral: Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR); 8 week structured online group program based on the Kabat-Zinn 1990 protocol adapted for adolescents delivered via video conferencing in weekly 90 minute sessions comprising mindfulness meditation breathing exercises body scan Mindful movement and group Discussions to increase present moment awareness reduce stress reactivity improve Emotional stability.
No Intervention: Waitlist Control Group; Participants in this arm, receieved no intervention during the study period and were given mbsr program after the study completion.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Trait Emotional Intelligence	Measured using Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire Adolescent Short Form (TEIQue-ASF), a 30 Item self report measure. Higher scores indicate higher Trait emotional intelligence.	Baseline pre intervention and 8 weeks post intervention
Psychosomatic Symptoms	Measured using DSM-5 Level 2 Somatic Symptom Scale for children aged 11 To 17. A 13 Item scale. Higher scores Indicate greater psychosomatic distress.	Baseline and 8 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Mindfulness	Measured through Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). A 15 item self report measure. Higher scores indicate Greater dispositional mindfulness.	Baseline and 8 weeks
Level of Bullying Exposure	Measured using Multidimensional Peer Victimization Scale MPVS-24. A 24 item measure. Higher scores show greater bullying exposure.	Baseline and 8 weeks
Childhood Traumatic Experiences	Measured using Pediatric ACEs And Related Life Events Screener (PEARLS). Higher scores indicate greater adverse childhood Experiences	Baseline and 8 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Fatima Jinnah Women University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 6, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 6, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): July 10, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 10, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 6, 2026
• Last Verified: July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Adolescents; Mindfulness; Randomized Controlled Trial; MBSR; Pakistan; Bullying; Childhood Trauma; Trait Emotional Intelligence; Psychosomatic Symptoms
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neurologic Manifestations; Behavioral Symptoms; Aggression; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Behavior; Signs and Symptoms; Social Behavior; Harassment, Non-Sexual; Bullying; Psychophysiologic Disorders; Behavior Therapy; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Mindfulness; Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
• Other Study ID Numbers: FJWU/EC/2026/147

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No