Meditators and Non-Meditators: Level of Mindfulness and Psychological Well-Being

Abstract

Numerous researches have documented positive outcomes of practicing meditation and mindfulness since advent of Positive Psychology. Hence the present study has been designed to investigate effect of practicing meditation on levels of mindfulness in daily life and also to understand if any relationship exists with level of mindfulness and psychological well- being of its practitioners. A total of 120 participants (60 meditators and 60 non- meditators), aged 30-50 years were assessed on level of mindfulness using Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire and their psychological well- being was studied by Ryff Scale of Psychological Well- being. The data was analyzed using Mean, Standard deviation, t- test and Correlation. Results revealed that Psychological well- being of meditators was significantly higher (p<0.05) than non-meditators. Further it was observed that significant difference exists in levels of mindfulness between meditators and non- meditators where meditating participants reported substantially higher (p< 0.05) levels of mindfulness particularly on traits of Observation and Awareness. Also a strong positive relationship (r =0.764) exists between level of mindfulness and well- being, implicating that higher level of mindfulness in an individual relates to increased level of self-reported psychological well- being. Findings are in line with other studies evidencing positive impact of meditation on well- being of an individual.