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Exploring the Applicability of Reflected Image Meditation in Adolescent Counseling

Bomi Lee

Journal of Meditation based Psychological Counseling December 31, 2024 DOI: 10.12972/mpca.20240018 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Qualitative study Peer reviewed
Sample size 6
Population Graduate students majoring in psychotherapy
Intervention Reflected Image Meditation
Topics Meditation
Key findings Reflected Image Meditation may foster emotional insight, self-awareness, and emotional regulation, and could be applicable as a counseling approach for adolescents.

Abstract

This study explored the applicability of Reflected Image Meditation in adolescent counseling. The participants were 15 graduate students majoring in psychotherapy, enrolled in the course Adolescent Counseling. After conducting group Reflected Image Meditation sessions, six of these students voluntarily submitted written reflections on (1) their experiences with Reflected Image Meditation and (2) the potential applicability of this meditation in adolescent counseling. These reflections were analyzed using the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) method. The analysis revealed four main themes for (1) experiences with Reflected Image Meditation: ① emotional insight and acceptance, ② self-awareness and the beginning of change, ③ emotional relaxation and stability, and ④ challenges and progress in emotion regulation. Additionally, four main themes emerged for (2) the applicability of Reflected Image Meditation in adolescent counseling: ① self-awareness and confronting emotions, ② enhanced emotional regulation and coping skills, ③ improved understanding of relationships and contextual awareness, and ④ exploration and correction of cognitive distortions. Each main theme was further divided into several subthemes. Based on these findings, the study discusses the positive potential of Reflected Image Meditation in adolescent counseling and suggests its use as a new counseling approach. The implications and directions for future research are also discussed.

Comparable studies

Other qualitative studies on meditation, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
The varieties of contemplative experience: A mixed-methods study of meditation-related challenges in Western Buddhists Western Buddhist meditation practitioners and experts in Theravāda, Zen, and Tibetan... 2017 Qualitative study with mixed-methods
The Effects of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction on Nurse Stress and Burnout Nurses in a hospital system 2004 Implementation study with mixed methods
An exploratory mixed methods study of the acceptability and effectiveness of mindfulness -based cognitive therapy for patients with active depression and anxiety in primary care Primary care patients with recurrent depression or recurrent depression and anxiety 2006 Exploratory mixed methods study n = 13
A qualitative study of mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy for depression Participants in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in a mental-health context 2001 Qualitative study n = 7
Effortless awareness: using real time neurofeedback to investigate correlates of posterior cingulate cortex activity in meditators' self-report Meditators 2013 Qualitative study using grounded theory methodology

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Meditation Philosophy of mind