The Effect of Meditation on Psychological Distress among Buddhist Monks and Nuns

Verma, Gauri; Araya, Ricardo

doi:10.2190/pm.40.4.h

Cited by 27 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Neither was there a signi cant difference between the monks and nuns (U = 3185, p = 0.20). Using diagnostic criteria from previous reports, 244 (58.3%) monastics were in the minimal severity range (0-4), 119 (31.0%) in the mild severity range (5-9), 34 (8.90%) in the moderate severity range (10)(11)(12)(13)(14), 6 (1.60%) in the moderately severe range (15)(16)(17)(18)(19), and 1 (0.30%) in the severe range (20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27) (Table 3).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Monastics often primarily consume a vegetarian diet, which has been associated with a reduced prevalence of depression (14). Moreover, some -though not all -Tibetan Buddhist monastics maintain regular contemplative practices, which have positive effects on mental health and well-being (15). In addition to practices, Buddhist belief systems may buffer monastics from the harmful effects of stress or trauma, and may provide a mental framework that shapes symptoms of depression and mental distress (16)(17)(18).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Prevalence of depression symptoms among Tibetan Buddhist monastic science scholars in India

Mascaro

Shellman

Samphel

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background Depression is the largest contributing factor to global disability, and the translation and validation of depression screening instruments is vital toward understanding the prevalence of depression symptoms around the world. The aim of this study was to translate a widely used depression screening instrument, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), for use with Tibetan populations, and to explore the prevalence of depression symptoms in a population of Tibetan-speaking Buddhist monastic science scholars. Methods A total of 384 monastics (363 monks, 21 nuns) completed the Tibetan PHQ-9. We computed measures of internal consistency and conducted factor analysis to evaluate scale performance, and describe the prevalence of depression symptoms among the monastic population and subgroups. Results The Tibetan PHQ-9 had acceptable reliability and demonstrated a single-factor structure. While having low energy was the most commonly endorsed symptom, monastics did not have overall higher rates of other somatic symptoms. Over 10% of the monastics scored in the moderately severe to severe range, using standard diagnostic criteria cut-offs. First year monks had the highest mean score, and there was not a significant difference between monks and nuns. Conclusion These preliminary findings indicate that the Tibetan PHQ-9 is a reliable instrument for exploring and assessing depression symptoms and that it will be useful toward examining how symptoms are experience, interpreted, and communicated among Buddhist monastics.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of depression symptoms among Tibetan Buddhist monastic science scholars in India

Mascaro

Shellman

Samphel

et al. 2020

Preprint

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“…Previously, one study examined meditation and mental health in the Indian monastics, 18 and another examined Zen training and mental health and quality of life in Japanese monk trainees. 17 However, it was uncertain if the type of meditation involved mindfulness meditation.…”

Section: Mental Component Summarymentioning

confidence: 99%

Mindfulness Meditation, Mental Health, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Chinese Buddhist Monastics

Tsui

To²,

Lee

2020

East Asian Arch Psychiatry

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Objective: To determine associations between mindfulness meditation and mental health and healthrelated quality of life among Buddhist monastics. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of Chinese Buddhist monastics aged ≥18 years who practised mindfulness meditation daily. Mental health was assessed by the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), whereas health-related quality of life was assessed by the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). The number of years and the average daily amount of time spent in mindfulness meditation were collected. Results: 47 monastics completed the interview. They practised mindfulness meditation for a mean of 7.3 years, 1.1 hours per day. Both the number of years (β =-0.48, p = 0.03) and amount of daily practice (β =-0.53, p < 0.001) of mindfulness meditation were associated with the GHQ-12 score, after adjusting for age, sex, education, and years of being a monastic. Only the amount of daily practice (β = 0.44, p = 0.004) was associated with the mental component summary of SF-12. Neither was associated with the physical component summary of SF-12. Conclusions: Among Chinese Buddhist monastics who practise daily mindfulness meditation, spending more time each day and having longer years of practice were associated with better mental health.

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“…In contrast, a recent systematic review and meta-analysis found in favour of yoga when compared to aerobic exercise or usual care (including group therapy, support group, or pharmaceutical intervention, but also wait-list control) [47]. While some studies suggest a cumulative psychological advantage in long-term meditators [64, 65] and lower rate of depression remission at 9-month follow-up for group yoga [66], overall, there is a paucity of longitudinal follow-up studies investigating the long-term effects of yoga.…”

Section: Yoga To Treat Depressionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Roles of Exercise and Yoga in Ameliorating Depression as a Risk Factor for Cognitive Decline

Mathersul

Rosenbaum

2016

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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Currently, there are no effective pharmaceutical treatments to reduce cognitive decline or prevent dementia. At the same time, the global population is aging, and rates of dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are on the rise. As such, there is an increasing interest in complementary and alternative interventions to treat or reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Depression is one potentially modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia. Notably, exercise and yoga are two interventions known to both reduce symptoms of depression and improve cognitive function. The current review discusses the efficacy of exercise and yoga to ameliorate depression and thereby reduce the risk of cognitive decline and potentially prevent dementia. Potential mechanisms of change, treatment implications, and future directions are discussed.

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The Effect of Meditation on Psychological Distress among Buddhist Monks and Nuns

Cited by 27 publications

References 21 publications

Prevalence of depression symptoms among Tibetan Buddhist monastic science scholars in India

Prevalence of depression symptoms among Tibetan Buddhist monastic science scholars in India

Mindfulness Meditation, Mental Health, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Chinese Buddhist Monastics

The Roles of Exercise and Yoga in Ameliorating Depression as a Risk Factor for Cognitive Decline

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