Laboratory Study on Physiological and Psychological Responses to Meditation in Friendships

Abstract

We are conducting a conceptual replication study of a recent study at Heidelberg University (Schültke et al., 2024). The aim of the study is to examine the effects of dyadic compassion meditation on heart rate variability (HRV), affect, and social closeness in friendships, to expand the evidence base for the use of dyadic meditation in therapy and in non-clinical contexts. The sample consists of non-clinical dyads of friends. After random assignment to one of three groups, following the induction of negative emotions the dyads will either engage in compassion meditation together (meditation group) or they will watch a video (control group). Heart rate data will be collected using EEG, Electrodermal skin conductance will be measured using EDA electrodes, along with demographic information and data on heart rate control variables, relationship quality, closeness, mindfulness, compassion, meditation experience, interoceptive awareness, emotion regulation, and affect. The study was approved by the ethics committee of the University of Mannheim. Reference Schültke, L., Warth, M., Alpers, G. W., Ditzen, B., & Aguilar-Raab, C. (2024). Better together than alone? Investigating dyadic compassion meditation in an experimental study. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 41(1), 91–114. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075231205452