A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Effects of Meditation on Empathy, Compassion, and Prosocial Behaviors

Abstract

Increased attention has focused on methods to increase empathy, compassion, and pro-social behavior. Meditation practices have traditionally been used to cultivate pro-social outcomes, and recently investigations have sought to evaluate their efficacy for these outcomes. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of meditation for pro-social emotions and behavior. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase, and Cochrane databases (inception-April 2016) using the search terms: mindfulness, meditation, mind-body therapies, tai chi, yoga, MBSR, MBCT, empathy, compassion, love, altruism, sympathy, or kindness. Randomized controlled trials in any population were included (26 studies with 1,714 subjects). Most were conducted among healthy adults (=11) using compassion or loving kindness meditation (=18) over 8-12weeks (=12) in a group format (=17). Most control groups were wait-list or no-treatment (=15). Outcome measures included self-reported emotions (e.g., composite scores, validated measures) and observed behavioral outcomes (e.g., helping behavior in real-world and simulated settings). Many studies showed a low risk of bias. Results demonstrated small to medium effects of meditation on self-reported (SMD = .40, < .001) and observable outcomes (SMD = .45, < .001) and suggest psychosocial and neurophysiological mechanisms of action. Subgroup analyses also supported small to medium effects of meditation even when compared to active control groups. Clinicians and meditation teachers should be aware that meditation can improve positive pro-social emotions and behaviors.

The Relationship Among the Components of Self-compassion: A Pilot Study Using a Compassionate Writing Intervention to Enhance Self-kindness, Common Humanity, and Mindfulness

“…In another MBSR study, the 8-week MBSR training has been shown to reduce loneliness (Creswell et al 2012), which could be a mediator between mindfulness and common humanity. A metaanalytic study has linked mindfulness to prosocial emotions and behaviors, which could be a mediator between mindfulness and common humanity (Luberto et al 2018).…”

Mindfulness and Taking Action to Start a New Business

“…; Luberto, Shinday et al . ; Ruedy and Schweitzer ). Another difference is that mindful individuals show less reactivity and are therefore more likely to be guided by autonomous motivation (Brown et al .…”

Residential meditation retreats: their role in contemplative practice and significance for psychological research

“…The vast majority of recent work, moreover, has centered on brief, non-intensive, or standardized (often clinically-oriented) interventions in meditation-naïve participant samples [9][10][11][12][13]. These designs lend themselves to a relatively high degree of operationalization and experimental control, which is important when the goal of research is to isolate component mechanisms of mindfulness techniques [14,15**], or to establish their clinical viability [16,17**].…”