The Mediating Role of Precepts and Meditation on Attachment and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents.
Justin DeMaranville, Tinakon Wongpakaran, Nahathai Wongpakaran, Danny Wedding
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) July 3, 2023 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11131923 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey with parallel mediation analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 453 |
| Population | Thai boarding-school students in 10th-12th grade from five schools (two Buddhist, three secular) |
| Topics | Anxiety Buddhism Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Thai Adolescent Attachment Avoidance Boarding Precept |
| Citations | 6 |
| Key findings | Attachment anxiety and avoidance had significant indirect effects on depressive symptoms through meditation practice and precept adherence, with meditation showing a larger indirect effect than precept adherence. |
Abstract
Research shows that Buddhist precept adherence (i.e., abstaining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxicant use) and meditation practice influence mental health outcomes. This study investigated how Buddhist precept adherence and meditation practice influenced the relationship between insecure attachment and depressive symptoms among Thai adolescents. A total of 453 Thai boarding-school students from 10th-12th grade were recruited from five boarding schools (two purposively selected Buddhist schools and three conveniently selected secular schools). They completed these tools: Experiences in Close Relationships Questionnaire-revised-18, Outcome-Inventory-21: Depression Subscale, Precept Practice Questionnaire, and Inner-Strength-Based Inventory: Meditation. A parallel mediation model analyzed the indirect effects of attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance on depression through precept adherence and meditation practice. The participants' demographics were 16.35 ± 0.96 years, 88% female, and 89.4% Buddhist. The mean scores for attachment anxiety were 2.7 ± 1.1; attachment avoidance, 2.78 ± 1.2; overall regular precept adherence, 20.1 ± 4.4; regular but not daily meditation, 2.94 ± 1.3; and low depressive symptoms, 3.75 ± 3.4. The standardized indirect effects for attachment anxiety (β = 0.042, 95% CI = 0.022, 0.070) and avoidance (β = 0.024, 95% CI = 0.009, 0.046) on depressive symptoms through meditation and precept adherence were significant. Meditation practice had a significantly higher indirect effect size than precept adherence.