An evaluation of potential psychological barriers to meditation practice among university students
Journal of Clinical and Basic Psychosomatics March 31, 2026 Jason E. Warnick
Many people face psychological barriers to starting meditation, not just practical ones. A survey of 90 university students found that non-meditators reported greater perceived lack of benefit, inadequate knowledge, and pragmatic obstacles than meditators. Most participants had difficulty stopping unwanted thoughts, which was linked to punitive thought control strategies, critical inner speech, and lower perceived thought control ability. These meta-cognitive barriers may hinder adoption of meditation. Meditation programs should consider screening for thought control difficulties and providing targeted support, with implications for educational and clinical settings.