Multiple lines of evidence show that mindfulness meditation (MM) improves practitioners’ mental health. To date, most studieshave tested the effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBI), which typically combine the practice of mindfulness with inclasspsychoeducation and discussions between teacher and practitioners. However, much less is known about the effects ofMMpracticed in individual settings. The present research investigated the impact ofMMin individual (i.e., single) and group settingsby testing mindfulness skills, personality profiles, religious/spiritual self-representation, and adherence to the training program, inrelation to two groups of healthy adult practitioners. Findings showed that both groups of participants improved in all outcomemeasures (mindfulness skills, character maturity, and religiousness/spirituality) with no between-group differences, except for amore pronounced effect on the character maturity of those in an individual MM setting, during the 8-week individual and groupMM trainings. Moreover, participants to individual and group MM settings meditated at home for a comparable amount of timeand dropped out from their training at similar rates. The results suggest that MBI may have potential benefits both whenperformed in group settings and in individual settings, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness practice for personal growthand healing.
Single vs. Group mindfulness meditation: Effects on personality, religiousness/spirituality and mindfulness skills
Alessio Matiz
;
2018-01-01
Abstract
Multiple lines of evidence show that mindfulness meditation (MM) improves practitioners’ mental health. To date, most studieshave tested the effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBI), which typically combine the practice of mindfulness with inclasspsychoeducation and discussions between teacher and practitioners. However, much less is known about the effects ofMMpracticed in individual settings. The present research investigated the impact ofMMin individual (i.e., single) and group settingsby testing mindfulness skills, personality profiles, religious/spiritual self-representation, and adherence to the training program, inrelation to two groups of healthy adult practitioners. Findings showed that both groups of participants improved in all outcomemeasures (mindfulness skills, character maturity, and religiousness/spirituality) with no between-group differences, except for amore pronounced effect on the character maturity of those in an individual MM setting, during the 8-week individual and groupMM trainings. Moreover, participants to individual and group MM settings meditated at home for a comparable amount of timeand dropped out from their training at similar rates. The results suggest that MBI may have potential benefits both whenperformed in group settings and in individual settings, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness practice for personal growthand healing.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
