Loving Kindness Meditation: An Intervention to Increase Positivity Following Interpersonal Transgressions
Kjerstin Halverson
Forum Pedagogiczne July 10, 2024 DOI: 10.21697/fp.2024.1.7 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 49 |
| Population | Young adults aged 18-21 |
| Dose | single 15-minute session |
| Duration | Single 15-minute intervention |
| Measures | Emotional Forgiveness Scale (EFS), Attitudes Related to Spirituality (ARES), PHQ-4, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), Single Stress Item (SSI), Self-Critical Rumination Scale, Gratitude Questionnaire (GQ-6), Batson Empathy Scale |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | A single 15-minute guided LKM intervention did not increase forgiveness but did increase positive affect and gratitude for the spiritual LKM group compared to control. |
Abstract
Objective- To determine if a single 15-minute guided LKM intervention can increase an individual’s feelings of forgiveness toward someone who has caused them harm. Methods- Participants (N = 49; mean age = 18-21 years) were asked to recollect and describe an incident where another individual hurt them then randomized to either a control, secular LKM, or spiritual LKM. Baseline measurements included demographics, emotional forgiveness scale (EFS), attitudes related to spirituality (ARES), anxiety and depression (PHQ-4), positive and negative affect (PANAS), single stress item (SSI), self-critical rumination scale, gratitude (GQ-6), and Batson empathy scale. All measures, excluding demographics and ARES, were assessed post-intervention. Results- No significant differences were identified between groups for all measures except positive affect as measured by PANAS and gratitude as measured by GQ-6. These results remained significant even when covarying for baseline spiritual beliefs. Conclusions- Our single 15-minute intervention was successful in increasing gratitude for participants in the spiritual intervention group when compared to the control and borderline significance comparing the control and the secular intervention.
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 9
- Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology October 27, 2008
- Loving-kindness and compassion meditation: potential for psychological interventions. Clinical Psychology Review July 26, 2011
- Loving-kindness meditation increases social connectedness. Emotion October 1, 2008
- The effect of loving-kindness meditation on positive emotions: a meta-analytic review Frontiers in Psychology November 3, 2015
- Loving‐Kindness Meditation for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Pilot Study Journal of Traumatic Stress July 25, 2013
and 4 more in the library