Effect of brief mindfulness meditation on expressive writing
Alvin Poon
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Population | College students |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Psychotherapist Mindfulness meditation Theology |
| Key findings | A brief mindfulness meditation prior to expressive writing produced superior physical and psychological benefits compared to a listening activity, and increased state mindfulness. |
Abstract
An impressive body of research indicates that expressive writing, which encourages participants to let go and explore their deepest thoughts and feelings while writing continuously, produces physical and psychological benefits.Mindfulness is defined as paying attention on pupose, in the present moment and nonjudgmentally, to the unfolding of experience moment by moment.Combining the concepts of expressive writing and mindfulness together, one could argue that an individual who is mindful is more capable of paying attention to the writing process in the present moment as well as to the experience of the actual event and to the internal and external events that followed.In addition, the literature suggests that mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of expressive writing, such as disinhibition, exposure to negative affect, and shifts in cognitive coping, are potential mechanisms that may also underlie the effectiveness of mindfulness interventions.The current study aimed to examine the effects of a mindfulnessenhanced expressive writing intervention among college students by introducing a brief mindfulness meditation prior to an expressive writing exercise.Results showed that individuals who practiced a brief mindfulness meditation training prior to writing experienced superior physical and psychological benefits relative to those in a comparison group who engaged in a listening activity, and they also reported an increase in mindfulness measured as a state.The study also replicated findings that individuals with higher baseline trait mindfulness scores responeded better to expressive writing relative to those with lower baseline trait mindfulness scores.iii Table of ContentsList of Tables.iv
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 |