Contemplative Practices in a Teamwork Setting: A Preliminary Study on Mindfulness Meditations and Interpersonal Skills
Matteo Chies, Gabriele Penazzi, Maria Chiara Pavesi, Erik Gadotti, Nicola De Pisapia
Mindfulness February 24, 2025 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-025-02535-6 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pre-post experimental design Preregistered Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Focused Attention Meditation (FAM) Open Monitoring Meditation (OMM) Loving Kindness Meditation (LKM) Self-Loving Kindness Meditation (self-LKM) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Education |
| Key findings | Both meditation training programs significantly increased teamwork competencies, with distinct profiles: Core Mindfulness Training enhanced Perspective-taking, Fantasy, Extraversion, and Initiating relationships, while Empathy Expansion Training more effectively improved Empathic concern and Openness. Individual and group state mindfulness were reported to influence teamwork competencies, but these relationships did not reach statistical significance. |
Abstract
This study took place in a high-level educational framework; it evaluated the effects of four contemplative practices: Focused Attention Meditation (FAM), Open Monitoring Meditation (OMM), Loving Kindness Meditation (LKM), and Self-Loving Kindness Meditation (self-LKM). The focus was on their impact on teamwork competencies, as well as how they were influenced by both the individual and the group mindfulness levels. Using a pre-post experimental design, three groups were compared: the first engaged in FAM, OMM, and LKM (Core Mindfulness Training); the second in OMM, LKM, and self-LKM (Empathy Expansion Training); and a control group participated in no meditation activities. The Experience Sampling Method (ESM) was used to evaluate state mindfulness and teamwork competencies in Empathy Expansion Training. Teamwork competencies were measured across two main categories: empathy skills and interpersonal skills. Both training interventions significantly increased teamwork competencies. Core Mindfulness Training enhanced Perspective-taking, Fantasy, Extraversion, and Initiating relationships. Conversely, Empathy Expansion Training more effectively improved Empathic concern and Openness. The study confirmed the influence of both individual and group state mindfulness on teamwork competencies, though the relationships did not reach statistical significance. The integration of contemplative practices within educational settings significantly enhances teamwork competencies, with distinct effects of different meditation practices on various competencies. These findings suggest that training frameworks incorporating contemplative practices improve cognitive and emotional well-being. Additionally, they enhance essential interpersonal skills critical for effective teamwork. This study is not preregistered.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cites 20
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
- Promoting prosocial behavior and self-regulatory skills in preschool children through a mindfulness-based kindness curriculum. Developmental Psychology November 10, 2014
- Focused attention, open monitoring and loving kindness meditation: effects on attention, conflict monitoring, and creativity – A review Frontiers in Psychology September 23, 2014
- Loving-Kindness Meditation Promotes Mental Health in University Students Mindfulness May 2, 2020
and 15 more in the library