Does meditation training promote pro-environmental behavior? A cross-sectional comparison and a randomized controlled trial
Kevin M. Riordan, Donal G. Maccoon, B. Barrett, Melissa A. Rosenkranz, Dekila Chungyalpa, Sin U Lam, Richard J. Davidson, Simon B. Goldberg
Journal of Environmental Psychology October 1, 2022 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2022.101900 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional comparison and randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 156 |
| Population | Long-term meditators and meditation-naïve adults |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction structurally-matched active control |
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Eight-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction training did not significantly improve pro-environmental behavior, environmental attitudes, or sustainable well-being compared to waitlist or active control. |
Abstract
Meditation training may promote pro-environmental behavior and related variables, though limited research has tested this experimentally. We investigated whether short- or long-term meditation training were associated with pro-environmental behavior, environmental attitudes, and sustainable well-being (i.e., well-being per unit consumption). In a cross-sectional comparison, long-term meditators (n=31; mean=9,154 meditation hours) displayed greater environmental attitudes (d=0.63) but not pro-environmental behavior or sustainable well-being compared to meditation-naïve participants (ds=−0.14–0.27). In a randomized controlled trial (n=125), eight-week training in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction did not significantly improve target variables relative to waitlist or structurally-matched active control (ds=−0.38–0.43). However, relative to waitlist, randomization to either meditation or active control predicted increases in pro-environmental behavior (d=−0.40) and sustainable well-being (d=0.42), although the latter finding was not robust to multiple imputation. While meditation training may promote pro-environmental behavior and its antecedents, the training investigated here does not appear to be uniquely effective.
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 9
- How does meditation relate to quality of life, positive lifestyle habits and carbon footprint? Heliyon January 15, 2025
- From mental well-being to pro-environmental and distributive behavior? Evidence from a randomized mindfulness intervention Frontiers in Behavioral Economics September 30, 2026
- Can Meditation Help the Environment? Examining Cross-Sectional Associations Between Meditation Goals and Outcomes in Experienced and Novice Meditators Mindfulness December 1, 2025
- Bearing Witness to the Anthropocene: A Contemplative Interbeing Framework for Planetary Health and Nursing Ethics Challenges June 25, 2026
- The effect of online mindfulness training on connectedness to oneself, to others and to nature in students. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being April 1, 2026
and 4 more in the library
Cites 22
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- The Empirical Status of Mindfulness-Based Interventions: A Systematic Review of 44 Meta-Analyses of Randomized Controlled Trials Perspectives on Psychological Science February 16, 2021
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- The Way Forward in Mindfulness and Sustainability: a Critical Review and Research Agenda Journal of Cognitive Enhancement July 2, 2020
and 17 more in the library