Mapping Mindfulness: Assessing the Stages of Meditation Habit Formation in the USA Using the Sussex Mindfulness Meditation (SuMMed) Model

A representative survey of 2000 US adults mapped onto the Sussex Mindfulness Meditation (SuMMed) model of habit formation. Most adults (69.7%) were in the Pre-Intention stage, 19.1% in Preparation, 2.3% in Action, and 9.0% in Maintenance. Among those preparing to meditate, 34.5% planned to do so within the next week, but only 21.9% intended to start a regular practice within the next month. People with less established meditation practices were more likely to plan using meditation apps than were experienced meditators. The findings suggest the SuMMed model is useful for understanding meditation habits, with a proposed refinement to the Preparation stage to distinguish trying meditation from committing to a regular practice.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract Objectives The objective of this research was to map the Sussex Mindfulness Meditation (SuMMed) model to US adults, thereby demonstrating its utility for future researchers. Additionally, the research explored engagement with meditation beyond what the model explicitly prescribes, including with apps. This served as a means to offer potential refinements to the model and deepen our understanding of meditation habit formation. Method This research used a representative survey of 2000 adults in the USA. The sample was rigorously recruited using the Ipsos KnowledgePanel. Results In mapping the SuMMed model, 69.7%, 19.1%, 2.3%, and 9.0% of US adults were in the Pre-Intention, Preparation, Action, and Maintenance Stages of meditation habit formation, respectively. In the Preparation stage, 34.5% planned to meditate within the next 7 days, while only 21.9% intended to start a regular meditation practice within the next month. Additionally, people with less mature meditation practices were more likely to intend to use meditation apps, compared to established meditators. Conclusions The SuMMed model offers a useful way to understand meditation among US adults and future researchers should leverage it confidently. However, people often tried meditation out of curiosity and appeared to distinguish between trying and experimenting with meditation, versus having a practice. Given this, we recommend a modification to the Preparation stage of the SuMMed model to integrate meditation trial and experimentation. Additionally, meditation apps may be more useful to support early meditation practices, compared to established practices. Preregistration This study was not preregistered.