The Impact of Trauma-Informed Meditation on Posttraumatic Growth: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Margaret M. Poandl, Daniel Gutiérrez, Stephanie Dorais
Research Square June 1, 2026 preprint DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9657939/v1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 113 |
| Population | Adults from a community sample who reported experiencing interpersonal trauma |
| Intervention | Trauma-informed meditation intervention |
| Duration | Six weeks |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | The six-week trauma-informed meditation intervention significantly increased posttraumatic growth relative to control (group-by-time β = -5.75), but did not significantly reduce posttraumatic stress symptoms. Dispositional mindfulness moderated the growth effect, and hope, spirituality, and self-compassion predicted greater posttraumatic growth, which the authors propose as mechanisms of change. |
Abstract
Abstract Objectives Research on interventions designed to increase posttraumatic growth (PTG) among interpersonal trauma survivors is limited. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a six-week trauma-informed meditation intervention on PTG. Additionally, we examined posttraumatic stress (PTS), and analyzed the variables of dispositional mindfulness, hope, spirituality, and self-compassion to understand their role as mechanisms of change within the intervention on PTG.
Method: We conducted a randomized controlled trial study with 113 adults from a community sample who reported experiencing interpersonal trauma.
Results: Utilizing linear mixed modeling, the results demonstrated that there was a significant group-by-time interaction effect on PTG (β = -5.75, SE = 1.7, t (102) = -3.35, p = .001, 95% CI [-9.17, -2.34]). However, there was no significant impact on PTS ( p = .63). Dispositional mindfulness significantly moderated the relationship between the group-by-time interaction and PTG (β = -0.08, SE = 0.0, t (133) = -3.89, p < .001, 95% CI [-0.12, -0.04). Hope (β = .81, SE = 0.1, t (302) = 6.89, p < .001, 95% CI [0.58, 1.04]), spirituality (β = .56, SE = 0.7, t (217) = 8.31, p < .001, 95% CI [0.43, 0.70]), and self-compassion (β = 5.06, SE = 1.6, t (309) = 3.22, p = .001, 95% CI [1.96, 8.15]) acted as significant predictor variables to PTG.
Conclusions: The results of this study add evidence to PTG outcome research among interpersonal trauma survivors, as well as help to elucidate mechanisms of change of PTG within a trauma-informed meditation intervention.
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
Cites 10
- 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
- Clinical benefits of self-guided mindfulness coach mobile app use for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder: A pilot randomized control trial. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice and Policy July 1, 2025
- Mindfulness Meditation Leads To Increased Dispositional Mindfulness And Interoceptive Awareness Linked To A Reduced Dissociative Tendency Journal of Trauma & Dissociation June 2, 2021
- Mindfulness, Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms, and Posttraumatic Growth in Aid Workers: The Role of Self-Acceptance and Rumination. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease March 1, 2021
and 5 more in the library