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Loving‐Kindness Meditation for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Pilot Study
Author(s) -
Kearney David J.,
Malte Carol A.,
McManus Carolyn,
Martinez Michelle E.,
Felleman Ben,
Simpson Tracy L.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1002/jts.21832
Subject(s) - meditation , psychology , kindness , mindfulness , self compassion , clinical psychology , feeling , depression (economics) , social psychology , philosophy , theology , economics , macroeconomics
Loving‐kindness meditation is a practice designed to enhance feelings of kindness and compassion for self and others. Loving‐kindness meditation involves repetition of phrases of positive intention for self and others. We undertook an open pilot trial of loving‐kindness meditation for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Measures of PTSD, depression, self‐compassion, and mindfulness were obtained at baseline, after a 12‐week loving‐kindness meditation course, and 3 months later. Effect sizes were calculated from baseline to each follow‐up point, and self‐compassion was assessed as a mediator. Attendance was high; 74% attended 9–12 classes. Self‐compassion increased with large effect sizes and mindfulness increased with medium to large effect sizes. A large effect size was found for PTSD symptoms at 3‐month follow‐up ( d = −0.89), and a medium effect size was found for depression at 3‐month follow‐up ( d = −0.49). There was evidence of mediation of reductions in PTSD symptoms and depression by enhanced self‐compassion. Overall, loving‐kindness meditation appeared safe and acceptable and was associated with reduced symptoms of PTSD and depression. Additional study of loving‐kindness meditation for PTSD is warranted to determine whether the changes seen are due to the loving‐kindness meditation intervention versus other influences, including concurrent receipt of other treatments.