The Impact of the 6 Month Meditation Training Program on Practitioners’ Well-being and Subjective Happiness
Katekanok Chumpradit, Daonoi Suttiniphapunt, Wirunsiri Jaima, Pratya Phetkate, Walaitat Worakul, Adisak Theeranuphattana, Jitpinan Srijakkot, Narongsak Jukrkorn, Rattana Bannatham, Paripan Kaewnet, Sasiwimon Puphoung
International Journal of Body, Mind and Culture February 1, 2026 DOI: 10.61838/ijbmc.v13i2.1264 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Mixed-methods single-group retrospective pre–post (then–now) observational study Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,123 |
| Population | Graduates of the six-month Meditation for Instructor Course (MIC), 49th cohort (quantitative); 30 purposively selected key informants (qualitative) |
| Interventions | Meditation for Instructor Course (MIC) a six-month intensive meditation course |
| Duration | Six-month course; retrospective pre–post ratings collected post-course |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Graduates reported statistically significant improvements on all 15 single-item well-being and happiness indicators, with large effect sizes (d = 0.78–1.65). Interview themes converged with these results, describing enhanced self-awareness, improved emotional regulation, and greater interpersonal harmony. The authors note that the single-group, self-report, then–now design limits causal inference. |
Abstract
Objective: This observational study aimed to explore self-perceived changes in the holistic well-being and subjective happiness of practitioners following completion of a six-month intensive meditation course, the Meditation for Instructor Course (MIC). Methods and Materials: This mixed-methods study used a single-group, retrospective pre–post (“then–now”) design. Quantitative data were collected from 1,123 graduates of the MIC (49th cohort) who completed a post-course questionnaire rating their current status and recalling their pre-course status on 15 single-item indicators across physical, mental, intellectual, and social well-being, plus subjective happiness (10-point scales). Qualitative data were obtained via in-depth interviews with 30 purposively selected key informants. Paired-samples t-tests were conducted with Cohen’s d and 95% confidence intervals, and qualitative data were analyzed using thematic content analysis.
Findings: Participants reported statistically significant improvements across all 15 outcomes (p<.001), with large effect sizes (d=0.78–1.65). Interview themes converged with quantitative results, highlighting enhanced self-awareness, improved emotional regulation, and greater interpersonal harmony.
Conclusion: Completing the MIC was associated with substantial perceived improvements in holistic well-being and subjective happiness. Given the single-group “then–now” design, self-report measures, and potential selection/recall biases, causal inferences are limited; controlled studies using validated multi-item instruments are recommended.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on meditation, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 17
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- How long does a mindfulness‐based stress reduction program need to be? A review of class contact hours and effect sizes for psychological distress Journal of Clinical Psychology March 23, 2009
- The effect of mindfulness meditation on sleep quality: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences December 21, 2018
- Mindfulness Meditation and Improvement in Sleep Quality and Daytime Impairment Among Older Adults With Sleep Disturbances JAMA Internal Medicine February 16, 2015
and 12 more in the library