Religiosity and Meditation Practice: Exploring Their Explanatory Power on Psychological Adjustment

Centering and flourishing: an online intervention study assessing the effects of a Christian contemplative practice on stress-reduction and human flourishing

Despite widespread engagement in contemplative religious practices, comparatively little research has been conducted on their potential effects on well-being. Furthermore, few studies have focused on how an explicitly religious framing may impact the outcomes of such practices. In this online randomized controlled trial (N = 702), we tested the well-being effects of a contemplative prayer practice called Centering Prayer on self-identifying Christians. We compared 1) presenting the practice with an explicitly religious framing (experimental condition), 2) presenting the practice without an explicitly religious framing (active control), and 3) presenting simple instructions to reflect on the day, without any instructions regarding a meditation-like practice (passive control). After randomization into one of these three conditions, participants were asked to complete their assigned practice daily for 28 days. We hypothesized that the religious framing version of the practice would increase well-being over the active and passive control conditions. Well-being was assessed at three follow-up time points: one day, one week, and one month after the practice period. We found no group differences between the conditions on our primary outcome measure of well-being at one-week post-intervention. Each group increased in well-being from baseline to follow-up. We found significant group differences on acute measures of spiritual experience, the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ-30) and Daily Spiritual Experience Questionnaire (DSES). These results suggest that a religious framing may not enhance well-being effects but may alter spiritual outcomes related to contemplative practices.

Religious Beliefs Shaping Health Care and Transforming Health Concepts: The Case of Shanghai

This study examines the connection between health and religious beliefs in modern Chinese society and builds a model reimagining the conception of health. The study draws on interviews with 108 patients (52 were women and 56 were men) at Huashan Hospital (Shanghai City, China). The survey ran between May 10 and May 14, 2021. More than 50% of female and male respondents reported having religious beliefs. Most acknowledged the crucial role of faith and religious beliefs in overcoming treatment challenges and alleviating patient suffering. The role of faith and religious beliefs in physical/mental treatment and health maintenance received the highest average percent positive score among female respondents. According to the multiple regression results of demographic parameters (age, ethnicity, gender, education, and urban or rural residence), only gender had a statistically significant effect on the impact of religious beliefs on health care attitudes. The proposed model builds on the Confucian concept of Ren (humanity), which refers to a harmonious relationship between people within a family or society bound by specific rules. The results of this study can help expand awareness about religion and its role in healthcare as a means to support patients' spiritual and physical health.

Meditation practices and their relationship with eating behavior, weight changes, and mental health in adults from different regions of Brazil: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different meditation practices on eating behavior, changes in body weight, and mental health.

METHODS

A virtual questionnaire was used to evaluate meditation practices and current and prepandemic weights. The questionnaire comprised specific and validated instruments to evaluate body image (silhouette scale), eating behavior (21-item three-factor eating questionnaire), current sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), and anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory). Initially, data from all the respondents were assessed (n = 764). Mindfulness was the most common type of meditation practice in most Brazilian regions.

RESULTS

Lower scores in uncontrolled eating (meditation practitioners = 32.19 ± 19.72 and non-meditation practitioners = 35.17 ± 20.50; P = 0.038) and higher weight loss (meditation practitioners = -0.77 ± 8.44 and non-meditation practitioners = 1.29 ± 6.39; P = 0.013) were observed among those who practiced some type of meditation. To verify the influence of weight, we analyzed the data of individuals who had body mass index ≥25 kg/m²; overweight individuals presented lower uncontrolled eating scores when they practiced meditation. However, no statistical difference was observed between meditation practitioners and non-practitioners when only adequate weight individuals were evaluated. The practice also influenced the perception of body image among men and resulted in lower uncontrolled eating scores on the 21-item three-factor eating questionnaire and greater weight loss during the pandemic among women. Those practicing meditation for >13 mo had a lower final score on the anxiety assessment instrument compared with those practicing for <12 mo (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicate that the inclusion of meditation practice as part of the management of overweight may reduce dysfunctional eating behaviors and negative emotions, thereby contributing to weight loss, especially in the long term.

Christian Accommodative Mindfulness: Definition, Current Research, and Group Protocol

More clinicians are using mindfulness-based therapeutic strategies; however, Evangelical Christian clients sometimes worry about the Buddhist origins of these treatments. Christian accommodative mindfulness (CAM) attempts to address these concerns with culturally sensitive adaptations to mindfulness methods. We present a definition of CAM and propose some worldview adjustments to typical mindfulness constructs when working with these clients. The empirical research on Christian-derived meditation strategies and Christian-adapted mindfulness strategies will then be reviewed. We introduce a four-session group CAM protocol currently being researched that focuses on scripture meditation, breath meditation, body awareness, and loving-kindness meditation. Sample scripts are included.

Engaging Patients in Research That Involves Meditation: Religious Concerns and Nursing Implications

BACKGROUND

Studies evaluating the use of meditative practices for supporting symptom management among patients undergoing cancer treatment have increased substantially in recent years. Although meditative practices as adjuncts to promoting health have become mainstream, concerns that such strategies conflict with traditional religious tenets have co-occurred. In the context of a 12-week sequential multiple assignment randomized trial of home-based meditative practices and reflexology delivered to patients with cancer by or with family caregivers to manage symptoms, early attrition was identified in the meditative practices arm.

OBJECTIVE

Finding religious concerns were factors contributing to attrition; the purpose is to describe adjustments to the training protocol for study recruiters and interveners when enrolling participants and teaching patient-caregiver dyads meditative practices.

METHODS

The training protocol for recruiters and interveners was adapted to address religious concerns related to meditative practices.

RESULTS

Since initiation, recruiters and interveners have appreciated the adapted protocol, which has improved their capacity to respond to religious concerns. Participants have responded well to consideration of the practices as mindful movements coordinated with breath.

CONCLUSIONS

Given broader application of meditation in symptom management studies, researchers will need to be ready to address religious concerns. It is essential that protocols for introducing meditation are broadly presented to respond to concerns of patients and cancer caregivers regarding perceived conflicts with their specific religious beliefs.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

As the provision of integrative care options that include meditation training for patients grows, nurses require awareness of potential barriers and strategies to ameliorate religious concerns.

Higher frequency of mantram repetition practice is associated with enhanced clinical benefits among United States Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder

BACKGROUND

There is increasing support for the use of meditation-based treatments for US military Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Mantram Repetition Program (MRP), which is a portable meditative practice that features mindful repetition of a sacred phrase, is associated with significant reductions in PTSD symptom severity. Although regular practice is emphasized in meditation-based interventions, associations between frequency of practice and clinical outcomes are often not reported.

OBJECTIVES

This study will examine whether the frequency of mantram repetition is associated with greater improvements in clinical outcomes.

METHODS

Veterans with PTSD participating in MRP (N = 160; combined experimental groups from two randomized controlled trials). Participants completed pre- and post-treatment self-report measures of anger and well-being and a clinician-administered interview of PTSD severity (CAPS-IV-TR). Veterans also reported average daily mantram repetition practice at post-treatment. We conducted a series of hierarchal multiple regression analyses.

RESULTS

When controlling for race/ethnicity and pre-treatment severity, higher frequency of mantram repetition practice was associated with significantly greater improvements (small effect sizes) in PTSD symptom severity (F(3,128) = 6.60, p < .001, β = .21, p = .007), trait anger (F(3,128) = 31.23, p < .001, β = .25, p < .001), state anger (F(3,110)  = 17.62, p < .001, β = .16, p = .04), mental health well-being (F(3,128) = 28.38, p < .001, β = .14, p = .04), and spiritual well-being (F(3,127) = 13.15, p < .001, β = .23, p = .003), but not physical health well-being.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher frequency of mantram repetition practice appears to have beneficial effects on clinical outcomes for Veterans with PTSD. Strategies that promote skills practice may be an important target for improving clinical outcomes for meditation-based interventions.

HIGHLIGHTS

Higher frequency of meditation practice during Mantram Repetition Program was associated with greater reductions in PTSD symptoms and anger as well as improvements in well-being.Strategies to promote at-home meditation practice may optimize the benefits of MRP.

Spiritual Fitness: A New Dimension in Alzheimer's Disease Prevention

BACKGROUND

Religious and spiritual interventions may have an effect on Alzheimer's disease prevention. Kirtan Kriya meditation has been shown to mitigate the deleterious effects of chronic stress on cognition, reverse memory loss, and create psychological and spiritual wellbeing, which may reduce multiple drivers of Alzheimer's disease risk.

OBJECTIVE

To detail a new concept in medicine called Spiritual Fitness, a merging of stress reduction, basic wellbeing, and psycho/spiritual wellbeing to prevent Alzheimer's disease.

METHODS

The literature on the topics mentioned above is described, including an in-depth discussion on why and how each are critical to advancing the future of Alzheimer's disease prevention. The many negative effects of chronic stress, and the benefits of Kirtan Kriya, are reviewed. The four pillars of basic wellbeing, six practical aspects of psychological wellbeing, and the four new non-sectarian features of spiritual fitness are then disclosed. Moreover, instructions on practicing Kirtan Kriya are offered in the Supplementary Material.

CONCLUSION

Religious and spiritual practices, including Kirtan Kriya, are crucial components in the development of enhanced cognition and well-being, which may help prevent and, in some cases, reverse cognitive decline. The key point of this review is that making a commitment to live a brain longevity lifestyle including spiritual fitness is a critically important way for aging Alzheimer's disease free. We hope that this article will inspire scientists, clinicians, and patients to embrace this new concept of spiritual fitness and make it a part of every multidomain program for the prevention of cognitive disability.