Effect of Transcendental Meditation on the Social Emotional Well-Being of Bilingual Teacher-Leaders
Margaret C. Peterson, Jane E. Bleasdale, Sandy Nidich
Journal of Education January 25, 2026 DOI: 10.1177/00220574261419506 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 62 |
| Population | Bilingual teacher-leaders |
| Intervention | Transcendental Meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Transcendental meditation Burnout Transcendental number Emotional exhaustion Stress linguistics Developmental psychology Qualitative research Clinical psychology Negative mood Psychotherapist Social emotional learning Emotional stress Qualitative property |
| Key findings | Transcendental Meditation significantly reduced emotional exhaustion, perceived stress, and mood disturbance among bilingual teacher-leaders, and qualitative analysis showed it enhanced access to cultural assets supporting well-being. |
Abstract
This mixed-methods study examined the impact of Transcendental Meditation (TM) on stress and burnout among bilingual teacher-leaders. Sixty-two educators were randomly assigned to TM or waitlist control groups. Quantitative results showed significant reductions in emotional exhaustion, perceived stress, and mood disturbance for the TM group. Qualitative findings, interpreted through Yosso’s Community Cultural Wealth framework, revealed that meditation enhanced access to cultural assets (i.e., familial, linguistic, and resistant) that supported well-being. Rest emerged as a form of resistance. This study expands CCW theory and offers evidence for the effectiveness of culturally responsive wellness practices in sustaining educators of color.
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
Cites 6
- Effect of Transcendental Meditation on Employee Stress, Depression, and Burnout: A Randomized Controlled Study The Permanente Journal January 30, 2014
- Randomized controlled trial of stress reduction with meditation and health education in black men and women with high normal and normal blood pressure American Journal of Preventive Cardiology October 23, 2021
- Meditation Effective in Reducing Teacher Burnout and Improving Resilience: A Randomized Controlled Study Frontiers in Education March 4, 2021
- Effect of meditation on psychological distress and brain functioning: A randomized controlled study Brain and Cognition August 1, 2018
- A randomized controlled trial on effects of the Transcendental Meditation program on blood pressure, psychological distress, and coping in young adults. American Journal of Hypertension October 1, 2009
and 1 more in the library