Effects of loving-kindness meditation on prosocial behavior: empirical and meta-analytic evidence
Carmen Valor, Carlos Martínez de Ibarreta, Isabel Carrero, Amparo Merino
Journal of Social Marketing May 7, 2024 DOI: 10.1108/jsocm-05-2023-0110 (opens in new tab)
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractBrief loving-kindness meditation (LKM) increases feelings of love and has a small-to-medium significant effect on prosocial behavior compared to active control groups (d = 0.303). However, its effects on donations to unknown others were mixed across three experiments. Age and the type of prosocial measure used moderate the effects. The findings suggest that LKM can nurture prosocial emotions and lead young individuals to donate, but these emotions may not be sufficient to lead adult meditators to share resources with unknown others.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Meta-analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 683 |
| Population | Participants in studies testing brief LKM on prosocial behavior |
| Intervention | loving-kindness meditation |
| Key finding | Brief LKM has a small-to-medium significant effect on prosocial behavior compared to active control groups, with age and type of prosocial measure moderating the effects. |
Abstract
Purpose Brief loving-kindness meditation (LKM) is introduced here as a valid social marketing intervention. LKM positively influences prosocial cognitions and affects. However, it remains unclear whether brief meditation interventions can influence prosocial behavior. This study aims to provide evidence of the effects of short LKM on prosocial behavior. Design/methodology/approach This study reports the results of three experiments examining the effects of brief LKM on donations to unknown others. The results are then integrated with the results of seven other studies testing the effects of brief LKM on prosocial behavior using a meta-analysis (n = 683). Findings LKM increased love more than the control group (focused breathing) in the three experiments; however, its effects on donations were mixed. The meta-analysis shows that LKM has a small-to-medium significant effect compared to active control groups (d = 0.303); moreover, age and type of prosocial measure used moderate the effects. Originality/value Results suggest that LKM can nurture prosocial emotions such as love and lead young individuals to donate. However, these emotions may not be sufficient to lead adult meditators to share their resources with unknown others. This study presents the first meta-analysis of brief LKM and provides insights into the use of meditation in social marketing programs.