A preliminary study of opening-up meditation college adjustment, and self-actualization.
J Tloczynski
Psychological Reports August 1, 1994 DOI: 10.2466/pr0.1994.75.1.449 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 45 |
| Population | College students |
| Interventions | Opening-up meditation relaxation |
| Duration | 1 hr. of training; 20 min./day practice; follow-up at 2 and 4 wk. |
| Measures | Anxiety Scale of the College Adjustment Scales, Personal Orientation Inventory, Feeling Reactivity Scale |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Adaptation, psychological Self concept Internal-external control Personality inventory Students Adult Female Relaxation therapy |
| Key findings | Among students assigned to opening-up meditation, anxiety and family problem scores increased significantly at two and four weeks, as did Feeling Reactivity scores. The authors report the analysis was compromised by high dropout, with only 3, 4, and 3 subjects remaining in the meditation, relaxation, and control groups. |
Abstract
The effects of opening-up meditation on college adjustment and self-actualization were examined with 45 subjects who were divided into groups for opening-up meditation, relaxation, and control using scores on the Anxiety Scale of the College Adjustment Scales. Subjects also completed the Personal Orientation Inventory. 1 hr. of training for the meditation and relaxation groups was given and 20 min./day practice requested. After 2 and 4 wk. anxiety and family problem scores significantly increased for the meditation group as did scores on the Feeling Reactivity Scale. Analysis was compromised by high dropout (leaving 3, 4, and 3 subjects, respectively, in the meditation, relaxation, and control groups).
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
Cited by 3
- Impact of meditation-only interventions on university students' resilience: A pairwise and network meta-analysis of randomised actively and passively controlled trials. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being June 1, 2026
- The Effects of Meditation, Yoga, and Mindfulness on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Tertiary Education Students: A Meta-Analysis Frontiers in Psychiatry April 24, 2019
- Yoga in Australia: Results of a national survey. International Journal of Yoga July 2012