EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF TRAUMA-INFORMED MINDFULNESS MEDITATION ON POSTTRAUMATIC GROWTH FOLLOWING INTERPERSONAL TRAUMA: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
Margaret M. Poandl
VCU Scholars Compass August 21, 2026 DOI: 10.25772/gfp3-tm10 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 113 |
| Population | Community sample of adults reporting interpersonal trauma |
| Intervention | Trauma-informed mindfulness meditation |
| Duration | 6-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | The intervention significantly increased PTG (group-by-time interaction β = -5.75, p = .001), with no significant effects on PTS or loneliness. Dispositional mindfulness moderated the effect, and hope, spirituality, and self-compassion predicted PTG. |
Abstract
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 mindfulness meditation intervention on PTG. Additionally, I examined outcomes of posttraumatic stress (PTS) and loneliness, as well as analyzed the variables of dispositional mindfulness, hope, spirituality, and self-compassion to understand their potential role as mechanisms of change within the intervention on PTG. To answer these research questions, I conducted a randomized controlled trial study with 113 adults from a community sample who reported experiencing interpersonal trauma. Utilizing linear mixed modeling and growth curve analysis, 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 group-by-time interaction impact on PTS (p = .63) or loneliness (p = .48). 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]) all acted as significant predictor variables to PTG. The results of this study add evidence to PTG outcome research among interpersonal trauma survivors, as well as help to elucidate mechanisms of change within a trauma-informed mindfulness meditation intervention to increase PTG.
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 |