Skip to main content Skip to search
Mindfulness and Loving-Kindness Meditation: Effects on Connectedness to Humanity and to the Natural World
Psychological Reports
Format: Journal Article
Publication Date: Nov 30, 2016
Pages: 102 - 117
Sources ID: 34606
Notes: DOI 10.1177/0033294116685867; ISSN 0033-2941
Visibility: Public (group default)
Abstract: (Show)
An experiment involving 115 undergraduate students (74.8% females; mean age=20.5 years, SD=4.3) was conducted to explore effects of meditation on social connectedness, nature connectedness, and affect. Participants listened to one of three brief guided meditation Mp3 recordings via the internet, which involved mindfulness meditation (MM), loving-kindness meditation (LKM), or progressive muscle relaxation (active control group). Participants in the MM and LKM groups reported greater social and nature connectedness at post-test than those in the control group. There were no significant differences in connectedness between the MM and LKM groups, suggesting they are both effective for enhancing connectedness. There were no significant changes in negative or positive affect at post-test due to the interventions. Recommendations for future research are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]; Copyright of Psychological Reports is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)