Reducing childhood anxiety and stress through buddhist meditation techniques
International Conference on Child Protection 2025 July 28, 2025 K. M. T. P. Deepaloka
An 8-week Buddhist meditation program combining Anāpānasati, Metta Bhāvanā, and Vipassanā reduced anxiety and stress in children aged 8–12 in Sri Lanka. Anxiety scores on the RCMAS dropped from 21.4 to 14.2 for boys, and stress scores on the PSS-C fell from an average of 18.7 to 11.9. No significant gender differences were found. The practices improved attention, emotional regulation, and stress resilience. The authors suggest these low-cost, culturally sensitive techniques could be integrated into schools and clinics, though they note the need for follow-up and control groups to confirm long-term effects.