The effects of loving‐kindness and compassion meditation on life satisfaction: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

Loving‐kindness and compassion meditation (LKCM) was a promising intervention for improving life satisfaction, but previous findings have been inconsistent. The current study provides a systematic review and meta‐analysis, including 23 empirical studies on LKCM with life satisfaction as an outcome variable. The primary meta‐analysis indicated that LKCM significantly enhanced life satisfaction in pre‐post design (g = 0.312, k = 15, n = 451), but the significance disappeared in the additional meta‐analysis based on randomized controlled trials (g = 0.106, k = 6, n = 404). Moderator analyses found significant effects for type of control (i.e., the effects of LKCM were inferior to active control group, but superior to waitlist condition), but not for other moderators (i.e., participant type, previous meditation experience, specific protocol, components of LKCM, combination with mindfulness mediation, and intervention length). Narrative review identified self‐compassion and positive emotions as important mediators. The practice time of LKCM had indirect but not direct association with life satisfaction. The findings supported that LKCM is promising in increasing life satisfaction, but more studies are needed to investigate the effects with more rigorous designs. Future studies should investigate other potential mechanisms and clarify whether LKCM change the reality or the perception of life.

Advancing the treatment of long-lasting borderline personality disorder: a feasibility and acceptability study of an expanded DBT-based skills intervention

“…First, we reviewed the available literature to identify interventions designed to treat long-lasting BPD symptoms. This review showed that PP exercises and compassion strategies seem to be useful for enhancing well-being [ 17 , 26 , 33 , 47 , ​ 57 ]. Consequently, we developed an intervention based on PP and contemplative practices (for more details see the Wellbeing Training Based on Contemplative Practices [WTCP]) manual: [ 13 , 15 , 26 ]).…”

“…Some mindfulness practices, such as loving-kindness (LK) and self-compassion (SC), are part of a set of DBT skills named “other perspectives on mindfulness” [ 50 ]. LK and SC, along with mindfulness, have proven useful to alleviate suffering and promote well-being ([ 26 , 33 ]; ​ ​[ 53 , 57 ]). Nevertheless, most DBT skills training programs [ 10 , 25 , 50 ] focus on the “core mindfulness skills”, which teach participants how to practice mindfulness.…”

"Emotional Quotient (EQ) Improvement and Stress Reduction by Mindfulness Based Health Care"

“…There was a study demonstrated that mindfulness meditation has positive affect on attention control, emotion regulation and selfawareness through neurocognitive mechanism [7]. Mindfulness and meditation also involved with the change in cognition, memory, social relationship, improve emotional control abilities, and decrease loneliness resulted in various health improvement [8][9][10][11].…”

Man’s best friend(s): Effects of a brief befriending meditation on human-animal relations

“…Such practices are similar to imagined intergroup contact in that different types of people are typically brought to mind. However, imagined intergroup contact involves imagining positive interactions with outgroup members while loving-kindness and compassion-based practices typically involve directly cultivating a sense of kindness and friendliness toward whoever has been brought to mind [12,13]. The evidence to date suggests that these types of practices can reduce political intergroup bias [14] (see also [15]), with effects mediated by perceived commonality with the political outgroup [16].…”