A preliminary study for developing a loving-kindness meditation (mettā bhāvanā)-based training program for meditation specialist teachers: Focusing on needs assessment through a pilot implementation with teachers

Abstract

This preliminary study aimed to develop a draft loving-kindness meditation (mettā bhāvanā)-based training program for meditation specialist teachers and to explore its feasibility and potential effects prior to a full-scale study. The research questions were as follows: First, what components should be included in a loving-kindness meditation-based training program for meditation specialist teachers? Second, what patterns of change are observed in participants’ job stress, perceived stress, teacher efficacy, and subjective quality of life? Third, how do teachers experience the program immediately after its completion and one month later? Fourth, what needs do teachers identify regarding the program and its implementation? To address these questions, a 10-session draft program centered on loving-kindness meditation was developed and piloted with six school teachers. Paired-samples t-tests and two rounds of focus group interviews were used to examine preliminary changes in the outcome variables and participants’ experiences. The quantitative findings indicated statistically significant pre–post changes in professional treatment, a subscale of job stress; positive perception, negative perception, and the total perceived stress score; and task difficulty, a subscale of teacher efficacy. No statistically significant change was observed in subjective quality of life. The focus group findings showed that participants experienced greater psychological stability, enhanced self-reflection, and the development of a more loving-kindness-oriented attitude toward others. Some of these changes appeared to be maintained one month after the program ended. Participants also identified several needs for school-based implementation, including the provision of a dedicated space, enhanced facilitator expertise, the presentation of scientific evidence supporting the program, and the use of a secular, nonreligious approach. Despite the limitations associated with its small sample size and preliminary design, this study provides initial evidence of the feasibility of a loving-kindness meditation-based training program for meditation specialist teachers. It also offers practical implications for refining the program and designing a subsequent full-scale study.