Perceived Benefits and Doubts of Participants in a Weekly Meditation Study

Abstract

We examined perceived benefits and doubts of participants in a meditation intervention study. We conducted a content analysis of weekly written reports from 65 college students practicing meditation over the course of an academic semester. As anticipated, the majority of participants reported at least one benefit of meditation, and most of these individuals also reported at least one doubt. Benefits fell broadly into cognitive, emotional, and spiritual categories. Types of benefits reported extend beyond many existing quantitative measures focusing on awareness and attention. These results affirm the need for additional measures and multiple methods to capture the depth and breadth of mindfulness experience. Doubts fell broadly into cognitive and physical challenges during meditation sessions, difficulty finding the time and motivation to meditate outside class sessions, and questions about the efficacy of meditation and self-efficacy to engage in it. Descriptions of doubts may inform how mindfulness leaders provide instruction in research and practice settings, and might mitigate attrition.

A low‐dose mindfulness intervention and recovery from work: Effects on psychological detachment, sleep quality, and sleep duration

“…Next to this, participants are supposed to devote 45 min to daily meditation practice. However, time commitment is one of the biggest challenges to the feasibility of mindfulness in everyday life (Sears, Kraus, Carlough, & Treat, 2011), especially for individuals with busy work schedules and high workload.…”

Participation in an Adapted Version of MBCT in Psychiatric Care

“…Particularly in the first sessions, participants may be confronted with a discrepancy of their first experiences with meditation from what they had expected (Sears et al 2011). Early dropout is also identified as a common finding for MBSR (Dobkin et al 2012).…”

Grist to the Mill: A Qualitative Investigation of Mindfulness‐Integrated Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Experienced Health Professionals

“…Similarly, Sears, Kraus, Carlough, and Treat (2011) concluded that participants' perceived doubts regarding weekly meditation could be linked to a lack of continued home practice. Similarly, Sears, Kraus, Carlough, and Treat (2011) concluded that participants' perceived doubts regarding weekly meditation could be linked to a lack of continued home practice.…”

“…The theme of benefits enduring through continued practice reflects Langdon, Jones, Hutton, and Holttum's (2011) thesis that, following their 8-week course, trainees embark upon a continuous cycle of lapses followed by returning to practice. Similarly, Sears, Kraus, Carlough, and Treat (2011) concluded that participants' perceived doubts regarding weekly meditation could be linked to a lack of continued home practice. The current study's finding that interpersonal relationships are improved through loving kindness meditation is also borne out in the literature (e.g., Hutcherson, Seppala, & Gross, 2008).…”