Loving-Kindness Meditation and the Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions Among Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
David J. Kearney, Carolyn Mcmanus, Carol A. Malte, Michelle Martinez, Benjamin I. Felleman, Tracy L. Simpson
Medical Care November 13, 2014 DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000221 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA 12-week course of loving-kindness meditation for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder was associated with lasting improvements in positive emotions and personal resources. Unactivated pleasant emotions increased significantly, while both activated and unactivated unpleasant emotions decreased. At a 3-month follow-up, veterans showed gains in environmental mastery, personal growth, purpose in life, self-acceptance, and decentering. The findings suggest that loving-kindness meditation may help broaden positive emotions and build psychological resources in this population, warranting further investigation.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Open-pilot trial Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 42 |
| Population | Veterans with active posttraumatic stress disorder (40% female) |
| Intervention | Loving-kindness meditation |
| Duration | 12-week intervention, 3-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Kindness Feeling Clinical psychology Posttraumatic growth |
| Citations | 64 |
| Key finding | Loving-kindness meditation was associated with increased unactivated pleasant emotions and decreased unpleasant emotions, as well as improvements in environmental mastery, personal growth, purpose in life, self-acceptance, and decentering over 3 months. |
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Loving-kindness meditation (LKM) is a practice intended to enhance feelings of kindness and compassion for self and others. OBJECTIVES: To assess whether participation in a 12-week course of LKM for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with improved positive emotions, decentering, and personal resources. RESEARCH DESIGN: In an open-pilot trial, veterans were assessed at baseline, after the course, and 3 months later. Effect sizes were calculated from baseline to each follow-up point for each construct of interest. Measures were chosen as an initial investigation of the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. SUBJECTS: A total of 42 veterans with active PTSD (40% female) participated. MEASURES: Emotions, decentering, psychological wellbeing including autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations, purpose in life, self-acceptance, and sense of social support were measured at each time point. RESULTS: Significant increases in unactivated pleasant (d=0.73), but not activated pleasant, emotions were found over time. Activated and unactivated unpleasant emotions decreased over time (d=-0.69 and -0.53, respectively). There were also increases in environmental mastery (d=0.61), personal growth (d=0.54), purpose in life (d=0.71), self-acceptance (d=0.68), and decentering (d=0.96) at 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, positive emotions increased, and enhancement of personal resources occurred over time. Further investigation of LKM for PTSD is warranted.