Meditation, well-being and psychological science: a review of empirical studies

Authors

  • Carolina Baptista Menezes UFRGS
  • Débora Dalbosco Dell'Aglio
  • Lisiane Bizarro

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5380/psi.v15i2.20249

Keywords:

meditation, well-being, relaxation, mindfulness, self-regulation

Abstract

 

Sitting and silent meditation can be described as a mental training, which has been traditionally associated with well-being. The growing scientific interest in it has helped confirm this association through various methodologies. This work aims to discuss the interface between some of the tenets of meditation and psychological science concerning well-being, as well as empirical results supporting the effects of this practice on positive emotional experiences. It also proposes that this relationship is mediated by three main and interdependent psychological processes: relaxation, metacognition/ mindfulness, and self-regulation. We discuss that the investigation of such mechanisms and the general effects of meditation can contribute to its application in the field of psychology, as well as to the development of the psychological science.

 

Keywords: meditation; well-being; relaxation; mindfulness; self-regulation.

Author Biography

Carolina Baptista Menezes, UFRGS

Doutoranda em Psicologia pelo Laboratório de Psicologia Experimental, Neurociência e Comportamento (LPNeC), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicologia, Departamento de Psicologia do Desenvolvimento e da Personalidade, UFRGS

How to Cite

Menezes, C. B., Dell’Aglio, D. D., & Bizarro, L. (2011). Meditation, well-being and psychological science: a review of empirical studies. Interação Em Psicologia, 15(2). https://doi.org/10.5380/psi.v15i2.20249

Issue

Section

Articles