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.
A review of literature from 2000 to 2024 examined how Buddhist meditation, specifically mindfulness and loving-kindness (mettā), can aid psychological healing in survivors of child abuse. The reviewed studies consistently indicated that these practices foster emotional regulation, reduce post-traumatic stress symptoms, and enhance self-compassion, helping survivors confront painful memories non-judgmentally and improve psychological resilience. The authors propose that integrating Buddhist meditation techniques into trauma recovery programs and mental health interventions could support long-term healing.