The Influence of Spiritual Transcendence on a Centering Meditation: A Growth Curve Analysis of Resilience
Stephanie Dorais, Daniel Gutiérrez
Religions July 26, 2021 DOI: 10.3390/rel12080573 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 150 |
| Population | Participants in a 4-week randomized controlled trial |
| Intervention | Centering meditation |
| Duration | 4-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Transcendence philosophy Prayer Psychological resilience Spiritual growth Psychotherapist Clinical psychology Theology |
| Citations | 15 |
| Key findings | Centering meditation significantly increased resilience in the treatment group compared to the waitlist control group, and spiritual transcendence significantly potentiated this effect over time. |
Abstract
The authors longitudinally examined a spiritual meditation based on centering prayer. The study consisted of two primary
Aims: (1) to determine the effectiveness of centering meditation on increasing resilience and (2) to examine the temporal dynamics of spiritual transcendence on resilience during the meditation.
Participants: (n = 150) engaged in a 4-week randomized controlled trial, in which the treatment group practiced the centering meditation twice a day. The growth curve model includes a three-way interaction to determine if there were group effects in the relationship between spiritual transcendence and time. The interaction between treatment group, time, and spiritual transcendence was statistically significant in explaining the trajectory of resilience, p < 0.05. Based on the findings, the centering meditation was effective in statistically significantly increasing resilience in the treatment group compared to the waitlist control group. In addition, spiritual transcendence significantly potentiated the effect of centering meditation on improving resilience over time, p < 0.05. The authors discuss limitations and implications for research and practice of centering meditation.
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
Cited by 3
- Can an apophatic meditation promote long‐term adjustment in hope? A time‐series model of centering meditation Journal of Counseling & Development October 27, 2023
- Centering and counselor empathy: Examining the moderating effects of nondual awareness Journal of Counseling & Development June 17, 2024
- The Effectiveness of a Centering Meditation Intervention on College Stress and Mindfulness: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Frontiers in Psychology October 21, 2021
Cites 6
- The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin May 14, 2012
- The meeting of meditative disciplines and western psychology: A mutually enriching dialogue. American Psychologist 2006
- Future directions in meditation research: Recommendations for expanding the field of contemplative science PLoS One November 7, 2018
- The Immediate and Sustained Positive Effects of Meditation on Resilience Are Mediated by Changes in the Resting Brain Frontiers in Human Neuroscience March 26, 2019
- Contemplative Practices in Action 2010
and 1 more in the library