Mindfulness interventions using kindness- and compassion-based meditation may be linked to improved well-being and behavior. Researchers at King’s College London reviewed 10 studies with 807 youth where encouraging kindness or compassion for others improved stress, anxiety, depression, negative mood, behavior and attention problems, and mindfulness. Analyses of studies using self-compassion meditation found significant positive changes in stress, anxiety, depression, negative mood, mindfulness, self-compassion, life satisfaction, resilience, gratitude, and curiosity. Gains in prosocial behavior and cognitive function were also identified in two studies.
Results indicate that kindness and compassion can benefit mental health and well-being in youth.
Overall, results indicate that kindness and compassion can benefit mental health and well-being in youth. These effects were generally stronger in research with younger, healthy children and those that used experienced meditation teachers.
Mindful With AutismThe feasibility and impact of a virtual, group-based mindfulness intervention designed for adults with autism was explored by researchers in Toronto. Based on feedback from adults with autism, the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program was modified to include six weeks of 60-minute sessions, shorter meditation practices, and no full-day retreat.
50 adults who identified…