Objective To improve benefit finding and positive cognition in patients with a permanent colostomy. Methods Sixty patients with colorectal cancer undergoing permanent colostomy were randomized into a control group and an observation group, with 30 in each.The control group received routine postoperative care, and the observation group were additionally given mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) intervention for 8 consecutive weeks.The effect was assessed before, immediately after and 4 weeks after the intervention. Results The observation group had significantly higher scores of benefit finding, perceived social support, medical coping modes, and ostomy adjustment, whereas significantly lower scores of anxiety and depression, than the control group after the intervention （P＜0.05,P＜0.01）. Conclusion MBCT helps patients positively face physical and mental trauma, improve their benefit finding, alleviate anxiety and depression, and enhance ostomy adjustment.