Intensive meditation training influences emotional responses to suffering.
Erika L Rosenberg, Anthony P Zanesco, Brandon G King, Stephen R Aichele, Tonya L Jacobs, David A Bridwell, Katherine A Maclean, Phillip R Shaver, Emilio Ferrer, Baljinder K Sahdra, Shiri Lavy, B Alan Wallace, Clifford D Saron
Emotion December 1, 2015 DOI: 10.1037/emo0000080 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 60 |
| Population | Adults participating in a 3-month intensive meditation retreat or wait-list control |
| Intervention | Meditation training |
| Duration | 3-month intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Meditation training Mindfulness practice Contemplative training Retreat experience Attention training Compassion training Dedicated practice Intensive practice Empathy Sympathy Sympathetic concern Fellow-feeling Understanding Concern for others Prosocial emotion Empathetic sadness Emotional regulation Emotional response Reaction to suffering Aversion reduction Anger reduction Disgust reduction Non-rejection Response shift Behavioral shift |
| Citations | 77 |
| Key findings | Intensive meditation training increased facial displays of sadness and decreased displays of rejection emotions (anger, contempt, disgust) in response to scenes of human suffering. |
Abstract
Meditation practices purportedly help people develop focused and sustained attention, cultivate feelings of compassionate concern for self and others, and strengthen motivation to help others who are in need. We examined the impact of 3 months of intensive meditative training on emotional responses to scenes of human suffering. Sixty participants were assigned randomly to either a 3-month intensive meditation retreat or a wait-list control group. Training consisted of daily practice in techniques designed to improve attention and enhance compassionate regard for others. Participants viewed film scenes depicting human suffering at pre- and posttraining laboratory assessments, during which both facial and subjective measures of emotion were collected. At post-assessment, training group participants were more likely than controls to show facial displays of sadness. Trainees also showed fewer facial displays of rejection emotions (anger, contempt, disgust). The groups did not differ on the likelihood or frequency of showing these emotions prior to training. Self-reported sympathy--but not sadness or distress--predicted sad behavior and inversely predicted displays of rejection emotions in trainees only. These results suggest that intensive meditation training encourages emotional responses to suffering characterized by enhanced sympathetic concern for, and reduced aversion to, the suffering of others.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 23
- Mindfulness Interventions Annual Review of Psychology September 30, 2016
- Mindfulness increases prosocial responses toward ostracized strangers through empathic concern. Journal of Experimental Psychology General 2018
- Future directions in meditation research: Recommendations for expanding the field of contemplative science PLoS One November 7, 2018
- Brief Mindfulness Meditation Improves Emotion Processing Frontiers in Neuroscience October 10, 2019
- Meditation training influences mind wandering and mindless reading. Psychology of Consciousness Theory Research and Practice March 1, 2016
and 18 more in the library
Cites 22
- Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2003
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology October 27, 2008
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine May 1, 2009
- Loving-kindness and compassion meditation: potential for psychological interventions. Clinical Psychology Review July 26, 2011
and 17 more in the library