The impact of mindfulness meditation on self-esteem and self-compassion among prisoners
Richard H. Morley, C. Fulton
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation December 19, 2019 DOI: 10.1080/10509674.2019.1697784 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Controlled study (non-randomized group comparison) Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 56 |
| Population | Inmates at a local jail |
| Intervention | Mindfulness meditation |
| Dose | 1 h weekly |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | More experienced meditators showed higher self-esteem, self-compassion, and less isolation than less experienced meditators and wait list controls, while the less experienced meditation group showed lower self-esteem and self-compassion than controls. |
Abstract
Abstract The impact of mindfulness meditation on self-esteem and self- compassion was examined among 56 inmates at a local jail. Participants were assigned to a 1 h weekly mindfulness meditation or wait list control group. Participants in the meditation group were further divided into less experienced or more experienced. Results supported that the more experienced meditators had higher self-esteem, self-compassion and felt less isolation than the other two groups. Curiously, the less experienced meditation group experienced lower self-esteem and self-compassion compared to the control group. Discussion of these findings and directions for future research are offered.
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
Cited by 2
- The role of decentering and self-compassion in self-esteem regulation: how meditation and metacognition shape the use of self-esteem regulation strategies Frontiers in Psychology July 10, 2026
- Reflective Skills, Empathy, Wellbeing, and Resilience in Cognitive-Behavior Therapy Trainees Participating in Mindfulness-Based Self-Practice/Self-Reflection Psychological Reports May 2, 2022
Cites 9
- Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2003
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Stress and Health March 15, 2010
- Examining the Efficacy of a Brief Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (Brief MBSR) Program on Psychological Health Journal of American College Health June 24, 2013
- Mindfulness Integrative Model (MIM): cultivating positive states of mind towards oneself and the others through mindfulness and self-compassion Anales de Psicología January 10, 2017
and 4 more in the library