Positive Health Online

Abstract

SCHOORMANS and NYKLICEK, Department of Medical Psychology, Centre of Research on Psychology in Somatic Disease (CoRPS), Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands d.schoormans@amc.uva.nl examined whether practitioners of two meditation types differ on self-reported mindfulness skills and psychological well-being.

Background

Methodology

This was a cross-sectional study comparing two convenience meditation groups drawn from local meditation centres, one group practicing mindfulness meditation (MM), and the other practicing transcendental meditation (TM). Settings/location: The study was conducted at several meditation centres in southern Netherlands. Thirty-five (35) participants practiced MM (69% women) and 20 practiced TM (42% women). Participants completed questionnaires on mindfulness skills (Mindful Attention Awareness Scale and two subscales from Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills), psychological well-being (perceived stress, global mood, and quality of life), and meditation duration and frequency.

Results

All self-reported mindfulness facets correlated with almost all measures of well-being across groups, but no differences were evident between meditation types regarding mindfulness or well-being. Days per week spent on meditation was the only multivariable predictor of both higher mindfulness and lower perceived stress.

Conclusion

The results suggest that self-reported mindfulness and psychological well-being may be associated with meditation frequency rather than any potential differences when comparing MM and TM in this study. Note that substantial differences between MM and TM groups were present on basic demographics, which were controlled statistically.

References

Schoormans D and Nyklicek I. Mindfulness and psychologic well-being: are they related to type of meditation technique practiced?. Source Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine. 17(7):629-34. Jul 2011.