Exploring the Facilitating Environment for Mindfulness Meditation: Establishing a Framework through Analysis of Means and Exploratory Factor Analysis
Mindfulness October 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-024-02442-2 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Survey study with exploratory factor analysis Preregistered Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | UK mindfulness practitioners |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Nine controllable physical environmental factors were identified and ranked, with quietness, supportive meditation tools, and natural sounds reported as the most important for facilitating mindfulness meditation. The authors propose that addressing these priority elements first can help organisations and individuals adapt physical spaces more effectively and efficiently. |
Abstract
Abstract Objective While mindfulness meditation is an established practice for improving well-being, the physical environment for this activity awaits further exploration. This research aimed to explore how the physical environment facilitates mindfulness meditation and to establish a framework through Analysis of Means (ANOM) and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). The framework was intended to provide guidance for organisations and individuals to better design or modify physical space to support their mindfulness meditations.
Method: This study used methods to establish an initial research framework from the literature on mindfulness, architectural design, and environmental psychology. A survey of UK mindfulness practitioners was conducted in 2021–2022 to provide insights from a quantitative perspective. The data were analysed using ANOM and EFA to obtain a comprehensive framework based on the responses.
Results: Through a review of the literature and empirical study, nine physical factors with controllable elements were identified, ranked by their relative importance. Quietness, the use of supportive tools, and natural sounds were found to be the most important.
Conclusion: This research suggests the priority elements for groups and individuals to consider when adapting the physical environment for mindfulness meditation. The results revealed quietness as the most beneficial controllable element for its facilitation. Additionally, the use of supportive meditation tools was also important. Considering these top elements first could support practitioners' mindfulness meditation more effectively and efficiently. Preregistration This study was not preregistered.