The impact of Zen meditation on security and satisfaction in monogamous relationships
Heather A. Mastrianno
Mental Health, Religion & Culture June 27, 2011 DOI: 10.1080/13674676.2011.587402 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study (survey) Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 405 |
| Population | Men and women aged 18 or older in monogamous relationships for one year or more |
| Topics | Buddhism Meditation |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key findings | Nonmeditators appeared slightly more secure and satisfied in their relationships compared to meditators. The authors suggest this may reflect philosophical beliefs in meditation that encourage mindfulness, acceptance, and moderation. |
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of Zen meditation on security and satisfaction in monogamous relationships. Levels of security and satisfaction as described by interpersonal theorist Harry Stack Sullivan, as well as meditation experience, were analysed via survey data. Data were collected via the Internet from 405 men and women who were 18 years of age or older and had been in a monogamous relationship for one year or more. Results indicated that compared to meditators, nonmeditators appeared slightly more secure and satisfied in their relationships. This may reflect the fact that different forms of meditation share philosophical beliefs that encourage mindfulness, acceptance, and moderation.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on buddhism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Depression, Guilt, and Tibetan Buddhism 98 primarily Tibetan Buddhist meditation practitioners and 438 non-Buddhist,... | 2012 | Cross-sectional comparative study | n = 536 |
| The Mediating Role of Precepts and Meditation on Attachment and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents. Thai boarding-school students in 10th-12th grade from five schools (two Buddhist, three... | 2023 | Cross-sectional survey with parallel mediation analysis | n = 453 |
| Personality Traits and Future Anxiety in Buddhisms: a Study of Adult Tibetan Buddhist Practitioners from Uruguay Members of three Tibetan Buddhist groups in Uruguay, plus religious and non-religious... | 2022 | Cross-sectional comparison | n = 156 |
| Synergistic effects of Buddhist five precepts and death contemplation on inner strengths and mental health in elderly Thai meditators. Elderly Thai Buddhist meditators aged 60 and above from temples and meditation centers... | 2025 | Cross-sectional study | n = 332 |
| Death recollection moderates stress-influenced depression in Thai boarding school students. Thai boarding school students aged 15–18 | 2025 | Cross-sectional survey with moderation analysis | n = 440 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
Cites 5
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Individual Trait Anxiety Levels Characterizing the Properties of Zen Meditation Neuropsychobiology 2004
- Zazen and psychotherapeutic presence. American Journal of Psychotherapy 2000
- Emotional processing, three modes of mind and the prevention of relapse in depression. Behaviour Research and Therapy July 1, 1999
- Self-actualizations and experience with Zen meditation: is a learning period necessary for meditation? Journal of Clinical Psychology November 1, 1983