Centering and flourishing: an online intervention study assessing the effects of a Christian contemplative practice on stress-reduction and human flourishing.
Julia S Rohde, Sean P. Goldy, Marianna Graziosi, Michael A Ferguson, Johannes Thrul, David B. Yaden
BMC Psychology July 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01836-0 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 702 |
| Population | Self-identifying Christians |
| Interventions | Centering Prayer religious framing |
| Duration | 28-day practice period; follow-up at one day, one week, and one month after the practice period |
| Measures | Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ-30), Daily Spiritual Experience Questionnaire (DSES) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Spiritual discipline Faith-based practice Religious contemplation Christian contemplative practice Spirituality Inner calm Peace of mind Psychological health Emotional balance Improved mental health Stress relief Anxiety reduction Calming techniques Relaxation Prayer Spiritual exercise Human flourishing: well-being Personal growth Self-improvement Inner peace Spiritual growth Overall well-being Greater peace |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | The authors report no group differences in well-being at one week after the 28-day practice period, with all groups increasing in well-being from baseline. They found significant group differences on acute spiritual experience measures (MEQ-30 and DSES), suggesting that religious framing may not enhance well-being effects but may alter spiritual outcomes related to contemplative practices. |
Abstract
Despite widespread engagement in contemplative religious practices, comparatively little research has been conducted on their potential effects on well-being. Furthermore, few studies have focused on how an explicitly religious framing may impact the outcomes of such practices. In this online randomized controlled trial (N = 702), we tested the well-being effects of a contemplative prayer practice called Centering Prayer on self-identifying Christians. We compared 1) presenting the practice with an explicitly religious framing (experimental condition), 2) presenting the practice without an explicitly religious framing (active control), and 3) presenting simple instructions to reflect on the day, without any instructions regarding a meditation-like practice (passive control). After randomization into one of these three conditions, participants were asked to complete their assigned practice daily for 28 days. We hypothesized that the religious framing version of the practice would increase well-being over the active and passive control conditions. Well-being was assessed at three follow-up time points: one day, one week, and one month after the practice period. We found no group differences between the conditions on our primary outcome measure of well-being at one-week post-intervention. Each group increased in well-being from baseline to follow-up. We found significant group differences on acute measures of spiritual experience, the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ-30) and Daily Spiritual Experience Questionnaire (DSES). These results suggest that a religious framing may not enhance well-being effects but may alter spiritual outcomes related to contemplative practices.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Beyond mindfulness: how Buddhist meditation transforms consciousness through distinct psychological pathways. Frontiers in Psychology 2025
- A Unifying Framework of Meditation Techniques Mindfulness February 1, 2026
- Using a Contemplative Practice Intervention to Improve Educators’ Attitudes Toward Students With Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities Behavioral Disorders October 12, 2026
Cites 22
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Mechanisms of mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology December 29, 2005
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine May 1, 2009
- Self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-transcendence (S-ART): a framework for understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of mindfulness Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2012
and 17 more in the library