Engagement with meditation as a positive health trajectory: Divergent narratives of progress in male meditators

Lomas, Tim; Ridge, Damien; Cartwright, Tina; Edginton, Trudi

doi:10.1080/08870446.2013.843684

Cited by 15 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…Isolating the specific causal effects of yoga practice on behavioural outcomes is challenging but warrants further testing in controlled studies with long-term follow-up. In addition, understanding the factors underlying gender differences in yoga practice is important given the higher rates of lifestyle-related morbidity in men and challenges around engaging men in health protective behaviours 47. Further exploration of the gender differential is warranted and could draw on the perceptions of yoga in Western countries compared with those in India.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Yoga practice in the UK: a cross-sectional survey of motivation, health benefits and behaviours

et al. 2020

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ObjectivesDespite the popularity of yoga and evidence of its positive effects on physical and mental health, little is known about yoga practice in the UK. This study investigated the characteristics of people who practise yoga, reasons for initiating and maintaining practice, and perceived impact of yoga on health and well-being.Design, setting and participantsA cross-sectional online anonymous survey distributed through UK-based yoga organisations, studios and events, through email invites and flyers. 2434 yoga practitioners completed the survey, including 903 yoga teachers: 87% were women, 91% white and 71% degree educated; mean age was 48.7 years.Main outcome measuresPerceived impact of yoga on health conditions, health outcomes and injuries. Relationships between yoga practice and measures of health, lifestyle, stress and well-being.ResultsIn comparison with national population norms, participants reported significantly higher well-being but also higher anxiety; lower perceived stress, body mass index and incidence of obesity, and higher rates of positive health behaviours. 47% reported changing their motivations to practise yoga, with general wellness and fitness key to initial uptake, and stress management and spirituality important to current practice. 16% of participants reported starting yoga to manage a physical or mental health condition. Respondents reported the value of yoga for a wide range of health conditions, most notably for musculoskeletal and mental health conditions. 20.7% reported at least one yoga-related injury over their lifetime. Controlling for demographic factors, frequency of yoga practice accounted for small but significant variance in health-related regression models (p<0.001).ConclusionThe findings of this first detailed UK survey were consistent with surveys in other Western countries. Yoga was perceived to have a positive impact on physical and mental health conditions and was linked to positive health behaviours. Further investigation of yoga’s role in self-care could inform health-related challenges faced by many countries.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Yoga practice in the UK: a cross-sectional survey of motivation, health benefits and behaviours

et al. 2020

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“…In that respect, besides quantitatively tracking participation, studies could incorporate a qualitative element to their assessment (see Lomas, Cartwright, Edginton, and Ridge (2013, 2014a, 2014b MBSR and MBCT, rather that creating bespoke programmes or adaptations. Having said that though, we also recognise the value of moving beyond MBIs developed primarily for clinical contexts (e.g., MBSR), and creating MBIs specifically for the workplace, including for particular types of occupation (e.g., HCPs).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Impact of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on the Well-Being of Healthcare Professionals

et al. 2018

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“…This more complex picture of responses to emotional distress is in keeping with recent alternatives to dominant masculine discourses on health. For example research highlighting openness, help-seeking, management of distress, and a nuanced linguistic expression of emotion in some men whilst still recounting a struggle to conform to or renegotiate hegemonic masculine norms around response to emotional and physical health difficulties (Emslie et al, 2006;Johnson et al, 2012;Lomas et al, 2013;Lomas et al, 2014;Seake & Charteris-Black, 2009). It may be that the biographical disruption caused by illness, allowed the men in this study to explore different emotional repertoires (Seale & CharterisBlack, 2009), whilst also seeking to confirm their masculinity identity and vitality through managing their emotions and taking an active, wilful approach to changes in their circumstances and sense of self.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Men’s strategies for preserving emotional well-being in advanced prostate cancer: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

Levy

Cartwright

2015

Psychology & Health

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ObjectiveThis study explores men with advanced prostate cancers' own practices for promoting and maintaining emotional well-being using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. DesignFive men with advanced prostate cancer participated in face-to-face, semi-structured, in-depth interviews. ResultsWithin rich narratives of lost and regained well-being, two super-ordinate themes emerged -'living with an imminent and uncertain death' and 'holding on to life.' Well-being was threatened by reduced sense of the future, isolation and uncertainty. Yet, the men pursued well-being by managing their emotions, striving for the future whilst enjoying life in the present, taking care of their families and renegotiating purpose. Running through participant's accounts was a preference for taking action and problem-solving. Sense of purpose, social connectedness and life-engagement were revealed as concepts central to improving wellbeing, indicating areas which practitioners could explore with men to help them re-establish personal goals and life-purpose. ConclusionsThe findings also add weight to the evidence base for the potential value of psychological interventions such as cognitive behaviour therapy and mindfulness in men with prostate cancer.

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Engagement with meditation as a positive health trajectory: Divergent narratives of progress in male meditators

Abstract: This is the accepted version of the paper.This version of the publication may differ from the final published version. Permanent repository link

Cited by 15 publications

References 50 publications

Yoga practice in the UK: a cross-sectional survey of motivation, health benefits and behaviours

Yoga practice in the UK: a cross-sectional survey of motivation, health benefits and behaviours

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Impact of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on the Well-Being of Healthcare Professionals

Men’s strategies for preserving emotional well-being in advanced prostate cancer: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

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