Meditation in humanitarian aid: an action research

Abstract

BackgroundMeditation enables individuals to achieve a state of inner peace and mental silence. Evidence on the feasibility and potential effect of applying meditation in humanitarian aid is lacking. The aim of the study was to assess whether meditation programmes could improve the quality of life of refugees and aid workers during humanitarian crises. MethodsMeditate to Regenerate, a non-governmental organisation, uses techniques of Sahaja Meditation, a UNESCO Center for Peace partner, to facilitate participants of its programmes towards acquiring self-knowledge, resilience, and social cohesion. In 2013, Meditate to Regenerate provided a multidisciplinary programme in Jordan during the peak of the Syrian crisis; the programme focused on the practice of meditation to support the wellbeing of Palestinian refugees in the Talbieh Camp, and on meditation programmes for Syrian refugees and humanitarian aid staff in Zaatari Camp. Programmes were open to everyone and were provided free of charge. In both Talbieh and Zaatari programmes, quality of life was measured among consenting participants with the Arabic version of the WHO Quality of Life assessment before and at the end of the programme. To control for respondent bias, the Socially Desirable Response Set was incorporated in the survey instrument and inversely weighted in the analysis. Findings64 eligible Palestinian refugees participated and completed the baseline quality of life questionnaire. 44 participants (69%) completed the follow-up measure (mean age 39·5 years, SD 16·1); 25 (58%) were women. Participants had higher mean psychological quality of life after the programme than at baseline (increase 10·0, 95% CI 5·4–14·6; p<0·0001); participants with a lower baseline psychological quality of life had a greater increase (r=–0·48, 95% CI −0·69 to −0·20). For the 124 humanitarian aid staff who completed both baseline and follow-up surveys, mean age was 28·4 years (SD 7·7), and 64 (58%) were women. An increase in mean physical quality of life was observed after the programme (3·57, 1·1 to 6·0; p=0·0051). InterpretationWe found that it was feasible to organise and conduct free meditation programmes in response to humanitarian crises. Meditation programmes can facilitate the improvement in the quality of life of refugees and aid workers during emergent and long-term humanitarian crises. Further research is needed to investigate its effectiveness. FundingS-CC is supported by a Medical Research Council population health scientist fellowship. The action study received no funding.