University of Bristol.
Int J Psychiatry Med. 2010;40(4):461-8. doi: 10.2190/PM.40.4.h.
This study aimed to ascertain whether there is an association between meditation and psychological distress.
Within a cohort of meditating Monks and Nuns who have accomplished varying levels of skill in the art of meditation, we studied whether there are varying degrees of psychological distress, and if so, whether this correlates to how advanced the meditators are. In this cross-sectional study, Monks and Nuns were recruited from monasteries, nunneries, and volunteer centres throughout Dharamshala, Northern India. A total of 331 Monks and Nuns participated. Psychological distress was measured using the GHQ-12, and the expertise on meditation was assessed through the number of years practising meditation and the maximum length of time held in concentration in one sitting.
A dose response association was found with more years meditating associated with increasingly lower GHQ scores. There was 0.21 points drop in GHQ scores for every year meditating (p = 0.001).
This study shows that Monks and Nuns who are more advanced in practicing meditation show fewer signs of psychological distress than Monks and Nuns who are less advanced in the art of meditation. The practice of meditation may have therapeutic value in the management of psychological distress, and could be offered as a non-pharmacological treatment alternative in patients with anxiety and depression. This is a preliminary study with limitations. More robust evidence is needed before we can confidently establish a causal link between meditation and psychological wellbeing. Our findings should, however, encourage further research in this area to generate better evidence for the health benefits of what is a long established practice in Buddhist communities.
本研究旨在确定冥想是否与心理困扰有关。
在一群已经掌握不同程度冥想技巧的僧侣和尼姑中，我们研究了是否存在不同程度的心理困扰，如果存在，这种困扰是否与冥想者的熟练程度有关。在这项横断面研究中，僧侣和尼姑是从印度北部达兰萨拉的寺院、修女院和志愿者中心招募的。共有 331 名僧侣和尼姑参与了研究。使用 GHQ-12 量表测量心理困扰程度，通过冥想的年数和一次静坐时集中的最长时间来评估冥想的专业程度。
发现冥想时间与 GHQ 评分呈负相关，即冥想时间越长，GHQ 评分越低。每冥想一年，GHQ 评分下降 0.21 分（p=0.001）。
这项研究表明，冥想技巧更熟练的僧侣和尼姑比冥想技巧不熟练的僧侣和尼姑表现出更少的心理困扰迹象。冥想练习可能具有治疗心理困扰的价值，可以作为焦虑和抑郁患者的非药物治疗选择。这是一项初步研究，存在一定的局限性。需要更多强有力的证据才能确定冥想与心理幸福感之间的因果关系。然而，我们的发现应该鼓励在这一领域进一步研究，以产生更多关于佛教社区长期以来实践的健康益处的证据。
