Meditation Helps with Emotionality and Relationships

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A meta-analysis in Psychological Bulletin of 595 studies on the psychological effects of meditation found that in the 163 studies deemed to have “sufficient theoretical background,” the strongest changes were in emotionality and relationship issues. The study suggests that more precise theories are needed about how and why meditation works in order to understand its effects.

Abstract → 

Sedlmeier, P; Everth, J; et. al; The Psychological Effects of Meditation: A Meta-Analysis, Psychological Bulletin, May 14, 2012

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Kermit Cole
Kermit Cole
Kermit Cole, MFT, founding editor of Mad in America, works in Santa Fe, New Mexico as a couples and family therapist. Inspired by Open Dialogue, he works as part of a team and consults with couples and families that have members identified as patients. His work in residential treatment — largely with severely traumatized and/or "psychotic" clients — led to an appreciation of the power and beauty of systemic philosophy and practice, as the alternative to the prevailing focus on individual pathology. A former film-maker, he has undergraduate and master's degrees in psychology from Harvard University, as well as an MFT degree from the Council for Relationships in Philadelphia. He is a doctoral candidate with the Taos Institute and the Free University of Brussels. You can reach him at [email protected].

1 COMMENT

  1. WARNING: When a meta analysis of a large group of studies pulls out this kind of *data*- you can bet there are number of RCTs on the horizon to show that *medications* are improving a *new* target symptom of anew DSM V category for- something like : *social/impairment disorders*??

    When you read:

    <<The study suggests that more precise theories are needed about how and why meditation works in order to understand its effects.<<

    Don't forget that what IS KNOWN about these *medications* is that:
    1) They were not developed for any KNOWN neurotransmitter"/ brain disorder.
    2) ALL of these drugs actually perturb neurotransmitter production and the pathways to neurotransmitter production—changing the brain *abnormally* both quantitatively and qualitatively.

    To better understand the process initiated by articles such as this one, read, Pharmageddon, Chapter 5 "Trussed in Guidelines"

    To recognize why pharmaceutical companies have developed this particular marketing strategy—simple common sense is all you need. $$$$$$$$ and more $$$$$$$$$$$$$

    What can WE do? Demand to see the *raw* data… not the clever little charts and tables the pharm reps created.

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