Coping With Uncertainty: Use of Contemplative Practices Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States.
Holistic Nursing Practice October 14, 2024 DOI: 10.1097/hnp.0000000000000507 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,861 |
| Population | Older adults in the United States responding to a nationwide web-based survey |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Prayer and meditation use increased significantly among older adults after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Minority groups and lower-income respondents reported praying longer, and unmarried, female, and more educated respondents were more likely to meditate, while less educated respondents were more likely to pray. Greater use of these practices was found among participants with higher anxiety. |
Abstract
Scant research has attempted to understand the use and frequency of contemplative practices across social groups of older adults in the context of uniquely uncertain and stressful circumstances, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Using data from a nationwide web-based survey (n = 1861), we examined the change in the frequency of contemplative practices and variation across sociodemographic, health, and psychological status and we documented a significant increase in the use of prayer and meditation since the beginning of the pandemic. Minority groups and those with lower income reported praying longer than their counterparts. Respondents who were unmarried, women, and more educated were more likely to meditate, whereas lower-educated respondents were more likely to pray during the pandemic. Greater use of these practices was found among participants with higher anxiety. Our study offers much-needed guidance for future intervention studies to improve psychological well-being among diverse groups of older adults facing stressful circumstances.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Experienced meditators and nonmeditating comparison groups | 2008 | Cross-sectional study | |
| Neural Correlates of Dispositional Mindfulness During Affect Labeling Adult participants | 2007 | Observational cross-sectional | n = 27 |
| Assessing mindfulness in children and adolescents: Development and validation of the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure (CAMM). School-aged children and adolescents | 2011 | Cross-sectional validation study | n = 1,413 |
| Mindfulness and self-compassion as predictors of psychological wellbeing in long-term meditators and matched nonmeditators Experienced meditators and demographically matched nonmeditators | 2012 | Cross-sectional study | n = 152 |
| Mechanisms of Action in the Inverse Relationship Between Mindfulness and Psychological Distress Undergraduates | 2008 | Cross-sectional, correlational |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- Meditation, Compassionate Love, and Mental Health in Later Life. Journal of gerontological nursing March 1, 2024
- A sense of connectedness, transcendent experiences, and insights for compassionate action emerge through an international collective labyrinth walk with a shared intention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychology 2023
Cites 5
- The benefits of meditation and mindfulness practices during times of crisis such as COVID-19 Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine May 14, 2020
- Gender Differences in Prevalence, Patterns, Purposes, and Perceived Benefits of Meditation Practices in the United States. Journal of Women's Health December 13, 2018
- Prevalence and patterns of use of mantra, mindfulness and spiritual meditation among adults in the United States. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine June 15, 2017
- Meditation for older adults: a new look at an ancient intervention for mental health. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services May 2015
- How positive emotions build physical health: perceived positive social connections account for the upward spiral between positive emotions and vagal tone. Psychological Science July 1, 2013