Effect of Mindfulness Meditation on the Quality of Life of Alcoholics in a Selected De-addiction Centre at Mangalore, Karnataka

A pre-experimental study with 30 alcoholics at a de-addiction centre found that mindfulness meditation improved quality of life. After the intervention, mean quality-of-life scores decreased from 121.70 to 101.57, with lower scores indicating better quality of life. Meditation skill scores increased over 15 days of practice, and a moderate positive correlation existed between post-intervention quality of life and meditation skill. The authors conclude that mindfulness meditation had a statistically significant positive effect on alcoholics' quality of life.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of Mindfulness Meditation on the Quality of Life (QOL) of alcoholics. A quantitative experimental evaluative approach was adapted and pre-experimental research design (one group pre-test – post-test design) was used. The sample consisting of 30 alcoholics in the selected de-addiction centre chosen by purposive sampling technique. Tools used were baseline proforma, QOL and Mindfulness Meditation skills rating scales. The data were analysed using paired ‘t’ test, ANOVA for repeated measures, Karl Pearson co-relation co-efficient and chi-square. The study revealed that mean post-test QOL score (101.57±13.7) was greater than the mean pre-test QOL score (121.70±10.02). There was a significant difference between the preintervention and post-intervention QOL scores (t 29=8.718; p<0.05) . The mean of 15th day of Mindfulness Meditation Skill score (68.13±4.0) was greater than the mean of 5th day (55.53±7.06) and 10th day (60.80±4.7) scores. There was a significant difference between the three different days of assessment (F=89.80, p<0.05). This indicates that the skill in Mindfulness Meditation increases when the number of days of practice progresses. There was a moderate positive correlation between post-interventional QOL and 15th day Mindfulness Meditation skill level (r=0.57). This indicates that there is a significant relation between post-intervention QOL score and 15th day Mindfulness Meditation Skill scores. There was no association between pre-intervention QOL and selected baseline characteristics. The result showed that Mindfulness Meditation had a statistically significant positive effect on the QOL of the alcoholics.