The Effect of Mindfulness and Compassion Program on Older Adults as a Positive Aging Intervention
Lütfiye Büyükyüce, Duygu Özer, Gökçe Yağmur Güneş Gencer, Ayşen Mısra Karaloğlu
International Journal on Lifelong Education and Leadership June 24, 2026 DOI: 10.25233/ijlel.1742336 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 27 |
| Population | Older adults aged 60 and older |
| Intervention | Mindfulness and Compassion Program (MCP) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Self-compassion Biopsychosocial model Psychological intervention Population Social support Clinical psychology Intervention counseling |
| Key findings | Significant improvements in mindfulness and self-compassion, along with clinically meaningful sleep quality enhancements, were observed after an 8-week Mindfulness and Compassion Program. |
Abstract
With the growing aging population and increased life expectancy, research must focus on enhancing not only longevity but also biopsychosocial well-being and positive aging. This study evaluated the effects of a structured Mindfulness and Compassion Program (MCP) on mental health, pain, mindfulness, self compassion, sleep, and social participation in older adults. Using a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design, 27 participants aged 60+ completed an 8-week MCP, ac-credited by the International Mindfulness Teachers Association (IMTA), including an initial silent retreat. Baseline data included socio-demographics and vali-dated measures: Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), Self Compassion Scale (SCS), Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), and Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ). Pre- and post-intervention scores were com-pared using non-parametric tests. Post-intervention, significant improvements were observed in mindfulness and self compassion, along with clinically meaningful sleep quality enhancements. No significant changes occurred in social participation (CIQ: p=.356), indicating treatment benefits stemmed from mindfulness and compassion components rather than social interaction. As the aging population grows globally, accessible and effective interventions like MCP are essential for promoting positive aging. This study is the first to examine a formal MCP integrating mindfulness, compassion, and self compassion. While promising, large-scale studies are needed to assess long-term efficacy. Further research should explore abbreviated online MCP versions for clinical populations. Such programs may also support lifelong learning in older adults.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Cancer patients (clinical intervention study) | 2003 | Mixed methods: scale development, correlational, quasi-experimental, laboratory, experience-sampling, and clinical intervention study | |
| Loving-kindness meditation increases social connectedness. | 2008 | Controlled laboratory experiment | |
| Mindfulness and mind-wandering: Finding convergence through opposing constructs. | 2012 | Two studies: correlational study and experimental study | |
| Mental Training Enhances Attentional Stability: Neural and Behavioral Evidence | 2009 | Experimental study | |
| Mindfulness meditation and substance use in an incarcerated population. Incarcerated population | 2006 | Quasi-experimental with treatment-as-usual control condition |
Citations in the library
Cites 13
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse JAMA Psychiatry April 28, 2016
- Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica April 28, 2011
- The effect of mindfulness meditation on sleep quality: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences December 21, 2018
and 8 more in the library