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Meditation Quality Matters: Effects of Loving-Kindness and Compassion Meditations on Subjective Well-being are Associated with Meditation Quality

Author

Listed:
  • Xianglong Zeng

    (National Demonstration Center for Experimental Psychology Education (Beijing Normal University), Beijing Normal University)

  • Yuan Zheng

    (National Demonstration Center for Experimental Psychology Education (Beijing Normal University), Beijing Normal University)

  • Xiaodan Gu

    (National Demonstration Center for Experimental Psychology Education (Beijing Normal University), Beijing Normal University)

  • Rong Wang

    (Shenzhen University)

  • Tian PS. Oei

    (The University of Queensland)

Abstract

Loving-kindness and compassion meditations (LKCM) are considered a promising practice for increasing long-term well-being. While previous studies have mainly focused on meditation practice quantity, the current study provides an initial exploration of the quality of meditation during multiweek LKCM training. Data were collected through offline (Study 1; N = 41) and online (Study 2; N = 243) LKCM interventions. Quality of meditation was measured using two kinds of difficulties experienced during LKCM each week/unit (i.e., difficulty in concentration and difficulty in generating prosocial attitudes). Subjective well-being (SWB) was assessed by life satisfaction before and after training as well as positive and negative emotions each week/unit. Two studies consistently suggested that meditation quality was significantly associated with changes in SWB. Study 1 even showed that quality had a stronger association with SWB than did meditation quantity. Moreover, both short-term (measured each week/unit) and long-term (measured across the entire training period) associations between the quality of meditation and SWB were significant. Focusing on meditation quality, our findings provide theoretical and methodological pathways for understanding the contribution of meditation practice to LKCM training, which is helpful for guiding future research and best practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Xianglong Zeng & Yuan Zheng & Xiaodan Gu & Rong Wang & Tian PS. Oei, 2023. "Meditation Quality Matters: Effects of Loving-Kindness and Compassion Meditations on Subjective Well-being are Associated with Meditation Quality," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(1), pages 211-229, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:24:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1007_s10902-022-00582-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-022-00582-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yi-Chen Lee & Yi-Cheng Lin & Chin-Lan Huang & Barbara Fredrickson, 2013. "The Construct and Measurement of Peace of Mind," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(2), pages 571-590, April.
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