Enhancing mental well-being: a mixed method study on the immediate effect of guided group meditation on depression, stress, anxiety and anger

Sheetal Goyal; Prasanna Krishna Bg; V.V.V. Pradeep Sastry; Biswajit Paul; Megha Tiwari

doi:10.1080/19349637.2025.2487848

Enhancing mental well-being: a mixed method study on the immediate effect of guided group meditation on depression, stress, anxiety and anger

Sheetal Goyal, Prasanna Krishna Bg, V.V.V. Pradeep Sastry, Biswajit Paul, Megha Tiwari

Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health April 9, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/19349637.2025.2487848 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract

Characteristics	Mixed methods study Qualitative Peer reviewed
Sample size	212
Population	Participants attending guided group meditation sessions, both virtual and in-person
Intervention	Guided group meditation
Topics	Anxiety Depression Meditation
Key points	The authors report statistically significant differences on all measured parameters (depression, stress, anxiety, and anger) following guided group meditation, with virtual and in-person attendees experiencing similar positive effects. Qualitative data suggested changes in thoughts, emotions, and spiritual experience. They conclude that group meditation can enhance mental well-being and maintain psychological health.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Our study investigated the effects of guided group meditation sessions on the psychological parameters of depression, stress, anxiety and anger. The present study of 212 participants followed a mixed methods approach. Data was collected using standardized psychological scales and qualitative interview pre- and post-group meditation. Findings revealed a statistically significant difference on all the parameters. Results indicated that both the virtual and in-person attendees experienced positive effects of the sessions equally. Qualitative data suggested that meditation resulted in changes in thoughts, emotions, and spiritual experience. We concluded that group meditation can enhance mental well-being and maintain psychological health.

Comparable studies

Other qualitative studies on anxiety, most cited first.

Study	Year	Design	Participants
LSD-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with a life-threatening disease: A qualitative study of acute and sustained subjective effects Patients with anxiety associated with life-threatening diseases	2014	Prospective follow-up with qualitative content analysis	n = 10
An exploratory mixed methods study of the acceptability and effectiveness of mindfulness -based cognitive therapy for patients with active depression and anxiety in primary care Primary care patients with recurrent depression or recurrent depression and anxiety	2006	Exploratory mixed methods study	n = 13
Cancer at the Dinner Table: Experiences of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Cancer-Related Distress Adult participants with clinically elevated anxiety associated with a cancer diagnosis	2017	Qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis	n = 13
Extended difficulties following the use of psychedelic drugs: A mixed methods study Participants who reported extended difficulties following psychedelic experiences	2023	Convergent mixed-method study	n = 608
Mindfulness and compassion-oriented practices at work reduce distress and enhance self-care of palliative care teams: a mixed-method evaluation of an “on the job“ program Interdisciplinary palliative care team staff	2017	Observational mixed-method pilot evaluation	n = 28

Citations in the library

Cited by 1

Consciousness, mindfulness, and introspection: integrating first- and second-person phenomenological inquiry with experimental and EEG data to study the mind. Frontiers in Psychology September 8, 2025

Cites 8

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