Loving-kindness meditation and the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions among veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder.
BACKGROUND
Loving-kindness meditation (LKM) is a practice intended to enhance feelings of kindness and compassion for self and others.


OBJECTIVE
To assess whether participation in a 12-week course of LKM for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with improved positive emotions, decentering, and personal resources.


METHODS
In an open-pilot trial, veterans were assessed at baseline, after the course, and 3 months later. Effect sizes were calculated from baseline to each follow-up point for each construct of interest. Measures were chosen as an initial investigation of the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions.


METHODS
A total of 42 veterans with active PTSD (40% female) participated.


METHODS
Emotions, decentering, psychological wellbeing including autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations, purpose in life, self-acceptance, and sense of social support were measured at each time point.


RESULTS
Significant increases in unactivated pleasant (d=0.73), but not activated pleasant, emotions were found over time. Activated and unactivated unpleasant emotions decreased over time (d=-0.69 and -0.53, respectively). There were also increases in environmental mastery (d=0.61), personal growth (d=0.54), purpose in life (d=0.71), self-acceptance (d=0.68), and decentering (d=0.96) at 3-month follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, positive emotions increased, and enhancement of personal resources occurred over time. Further investigation of LKM for PTSD is warranted.
*Department of Medicine, VA Puget Sound Health Care System †Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine ‡Department of Physical Therapy, Swedish Medical Center §Center of Excellence in Substance Abuse Treatment and Education (CESATE) ∥Department of Research and Development ¶Department of Mental Health, VA Puget Sound Health Care System #Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA.
David J
DJ
Kearney
Carolyn
C
McManus
Carol A
CA
Malte
Michelle E
ME
Martinez
Benjamin
B
Felleman
Tracy L
TL
Simpson
D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004644:Emotions; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008149:Love; D008297:Male; D019122:Meditation; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011582:Psychological Theory; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*