PRACTICING LOVING-KINDNESS MEDITATION TO PROMOTE MENTAL WELLNESS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF DOCTORAL STUDENTS' EXPERIENCE.
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| Title: | PRACTICING LOVING-KINDNESS MEDITATION TO PROMOTE MENTAL WELLNESS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF DOCTORAL STUDENTS' EXPERIENCE. |
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| Authors: | Haberlin, Steve1 steve.haberlin@ucf.edu, Boote, David1 david.boote@ucf.edu, Bradshaw, Terrie1 terrie.bradshaw@ucf.edu |
| Source: | International Journal of Doctoral Studies. 2025, Vol. 20, p1-20. 20p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Doctoral students, *Higher education, *Qualitative research, Mental health, Stress management, Psychological distress, Mindfulness, Compassion-focused therapy |
| Abstract: | Aim/Purpose The mental health crisis of graduate students is often overlooked, though this population may experience higher rates of stress and anxiety than undergraduates. The purpose of this study was to describe perceptions and experiences of students practicing loving-kindness meditation (LKM) during synchronous online Doctor of Education classes at a large university. Background Doctoral students' mental health remains a prominent international concern. In recent years, more attention has been given to factors affecting graduate students' well-being and psychological distress. Mindfulness-based interventions have shown promising mental health outcomes in higher education. Methodology Qualitative research was used to examine the experiences of 25 doctoral students, mainly working adults from education and other backgrounds. Weekly, written responses on meditation practice were collected using a confidential online survey, and focus groups were conducted to provide additional insight. MAXQDA software was used to conduct thematic data analysis. Contribution This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on loving-kindness meditation as a mental health intervention with higher education students. It adds to the virtually non-existent literature on doctoral students' experiences with meditation. LKM has also been associated with reducing anxiety and stress in adolescents and with burnout prevention initiatives. Findings Most participants perceived LKM as a difficult practice, struggled with mindwandering during sessions, and did not engage if they felt rushed or overwhelmed. A smaller number of students reported experiencing stress relief and changes in perspective towards others. Recommendations for Practitioners Advanced meditation methods like LKM should be scaffolded by having students initially study an introductory meditation method. Students also need time to adjust to class before engaging in meditation. Recommendations for Researchers Researchers should continue to explore factors affecting the feasibility and efficacy of LKM to enhance well-being and reduce psychological distress, informing effective intervention designs and approaches. Impact on Society The study underscores the importance of addressing the concerning mental health issues faced by doctoral students, an issue that receives less attention compared to undergraduate research on the topic. Additional research will help to normalize LKM as a valid, beneficial practice for mental health in academia and professional environments. Future Research Future research should include longer-term studies to ascertain whether students' experiences and perspectives change after greater doses of LKM, examine facilitation delivery, and conduct mixed-methods studies on LKM with doctoral students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of International Journal of Doctoral Studies is the property of Informing Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Education Research Complete |
| FullText | Links: – Type: pdflink Text: Availability: 0 |
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| Header | DbId: ehh DbLabel: Education Research Complete An: 191819819 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: PRACTICING LOVING-KINDNESS MEDITATION TO PROMOTE MENTAL WELLNESS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF DOCTORAL STUDENTS' EXPERIENCE. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Haberlin%2C+Steve%22">Haberlin, Steve</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> steve.haberlin@ucf.edu</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Boote%2C+David%22">Boote, David</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> david.boote@ucf.edu</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Bradshaw%2C+Terrie%22">Bradshaw, Terrie</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> terrie.bradshaw@ucf.edu</i> – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22International+Journal+of+Doctoral+Studies%22">International Journal of Doctoral Studies</searchLink>. 2025, Vol. 20, p1-20. 20p. – Name: Subject Label: Subject Terms Group: Su Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Doctoral+students%22">Doctoral students</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Higher+education%22">Higher education</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Qualitative+research%22">Qualitative research</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mental+health%22">Mental health</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Stress+management%22">Stress management</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Psychological+distress%22">Psychological distress</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mindfulness%22">Mindfulness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Compassion-focused+therapy%22">Compassion-focused therapy</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: Aim/Purpose The mental health crisis of graduate students is often overlooked, though this population may experience higher rates of stress and anxiety than undergraduates. The purpose of this study was to describe perceptions and experiences of students practicing loving-kindness meditation (LKM) during synchronous online Doctor of Education classes at a large university. Background Doctoral students' mental health remains a prominent international concern. In recent years, more attention has been given to factors affecting graduate students' well-being and psychological distress. Mindfulness-based interventions have shown promising mental health outcomes in higher education. Methodology Qualitative research was used to examine the experiences of 25 doctoral students, mainly working adults from education and other backgrounds. Weekly, written responses on meditation practice were collected using a confidential online survey, and focus groups were conducted to provide additional insight. MAXQDA software was used to conduct thematic data analysis. Contribution This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on loving-kindness meditation as a mental health intervention with higher education students. It adds to the virtually non-existent literature on doctoral students' experiences with meditation. LKM has also been associated with reducing anxiety and stress in adolescents and with burnout prevention initiatives. Findings Most participants perceived LKM as a difficult practice, struggled with mindwandering during sessions, and did not engage if they felt rushed or overwhelmed. A smaller number of students reported experiencing stress relief and changes in perspective towards others. Recommendations for Practitioners Advanced meditation methods like LKM should be scaffolded by having students initially study an introductory meditation method. Students also need time to adjust to class before engaging in meditation. Recommendations for Researchers Researchers should continue to explore factors affecting the feasibility and efficacy of LKM to enhance well-being and reduce psychological distress, informing effective intervention designs and approaches. Impact on Society The study underscores the importance of addressing the concerning mental health issues faced by doctoral students, an issue that receives less attention compared to undergraduate research on the topic. Additional research will help to normalize LKM as a valid, beneficial practice for mental health in academia and professional environments. Future Research Future research should include longer-term studies to ascertain whether students' experiences and perspectives change after greater doses of LKM, examine facilitation delivery, and conduct mixed-methods studies on LKM with doctoral students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of International Journal of Doctoral Studies is the property of Informing Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
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| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.28945/5597 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 20 StartPage: 1 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Doctoral students Type: general – SubjectFull: Higher education Type: general – SubjectFull: Qualitative research Type: general – SubjectFull: Mental health Type: general – SubjectFull: Stress management Type: general – SubjectFull: Psychological distress Type: general – SubjectFull: Mindfulness Type: general – SubjectFull: Compassion-focused therapy Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: PRACTICING LOVING-KINDNESS MEDITATION TO PROMOTE MENTAL WELLNESS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF DOCTORAL STUDENTS' EXPERIENCE. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Haberlin, Steve – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Boote, David – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Bradshaw, Terrie IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 01 Text: 2025 Type: published Y: 2025 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 15568881 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 20 Titles: – TitleFull: International Journal of Doctoral Studies Type: main |
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