Individual differences in meditation interventions: A meta‐analytic study
British Journal of Health Psychology February 27, 2022 I. Burić, M. Farias, J. Driessen et al.
Meditation interventions affect people differently depending on their personal characteristics. Analyzing 51 studies with 7,782 participants, higher baseline levels of psychopathology or depression were associated with worsening mental health after meditation. In contrast, participants with stronger interpersonal skills, motivation, medical conditions, or mindfulness tended to experience greater benefits. Higher well-being and stress were linked to both increased positive and negative outcomes. Demographics, psychological traits, self-concept, and prior meditation practice length did not significantly influence results. These findings highlight individual factors that should be considered when using meditation interventions.