Navigating the Storm: How Does Meditation Influence Mental Health Among Older Adults With Chronic Conditions?
Journal of Population Ageing April 18, 2026 Sofia von Humboldt, Isabel Leal
Meditation helps older adults with chronic illness manage both physical and mental health. In interviews with 567 people aged 65–91 from Portugal, England, and Brazil, six themes emerged around illness: integrating physical decline (90.1%), exploring life's purpose (87.5%), focusing on self-concept (73.0%), feeling less pain and dependence (71.1%), feeling more hopeful (66.1%), and focusing on effective treatment (60.3%). Three themes related to mental health: less emotional burden (82.0%), fewer depressive symptoms (79.2%), and fewer emotional outbursts (50.1%). Portuguese participants focused on managing illness; Brazilians emphasized meaning and hope; English participants linked meditation to improved self-identity.