Coping With Uncertainty: Use of Contemplative Practices Amid a Pandemic
Nirmala Lekhak, Tirth Bhatta, T. Goler, Eva Kahana
Innovation in Aging December 1, 2021 DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igab046.509 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational survey (cross-sectional, web-based) Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,861 |
| Population | Older adults in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| Interventions | Meditation Prayer Yoga |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Women and higher-educated respondents reported significantly greater use of meditation and yoga, while women and Black respondents reported significantly greater use of prayer. Contrary to prior studies, Black respondents reported greater use of meditative practices than White respondents. Older adults with higher anxiety were significantly more likely to practice meditation and yoga. |
Abstract
Abstract Contemplative practices have been used as coping resources to reduce the negative influences of adverse life situations on mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted older adults, causing immense uncertainty, stress, and anxiety. By using data from our “Coping with Pandemic” nationwide web-based survey (n=1861), we examine the utilization of practices such as meditation, prayer, and yoga across social, economic, and health status during the pandemic. Consistent with studies conducted before the pandemic, we find significantly greater utilization of meditation and yoga among women and higher educated individuals. Findings showed significantly greater usage of prayer among women and Blacks. Unlike previous studies, we documented greater usage of meditative practices among Blacks than Whites. Older adults with higher anxiety were significantly more likely to practice meditation and yoga. Our study offers much needed guidance for future intervention studies aimed at improving mental health among diverse groups of older adults.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Experienced meditators and nonmeditating comparison groups | 2008 | Cross-sectional study | |
| Neural Correlates of Dispositional Mindfulness During Affect Labeling Adult participants | 2007 | Observational cross-sectional | n = 27 |
| Assessing mindfulness in children and adolescents: Development and validation of the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure (CAMM). School-aged children and adolescents | 2011 | Cross-sectional validation study | n = 1,413 |
| Mindfulness and self-compassion as predictors of psychological wellbeing in long-term meditators and matched nonmeditators Experienced meditators and demographically matched nonmeditators | 2012 | Cross-sectional study | n = 152 |
| Mechanisms of Action in the Inverse Relationship Between Mindfulness and Psychological Distress Undergraduates | 2008 | Cross-sectional, correlational |