Meditation and Emotional Intelligence

Maharishi International University96 enrolled

Overview

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the impact of the Transcendental Meditation program on emotional intelligence and perceived stress in supervisors and administrative staff in a public school system

The objective of this study was to determine whether a mind-body technique, known as the practice of Transcendental Meditation® (TM), could significantly increase emotional intelligence and decrease perceived stress in supervisors and administrative staff in a public school system. For this purpose, 96 participants from the administrative offices of the San Francisco Unified School District were randomly assigned to either immediate start of the TM program or to a delayed start wait-list control group. Subjects learning TM were instructed to meditate for 20 minutes twice a day for the four month duration of the project. All subjects were administered the BarOn Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) at baseline and posttest. If successful, these findings would suggest that TM could be used as a professional development program in organizations to increase emotional intelligence and decrease perceived stress, in turn enhancing leadership capacity and organizational effectiveness.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Job Stress Perceived Stress

Interventions

Transcendental meditationBEHAVIORAL

The TM technique was taught as a standard 7 step course over 4 consecutive days. Thereafter, subjects attended bimonthly group meetings for more advanced knowledge over the four month intervention period.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years or older, * an employee of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), * attendance at an informational meeting on the TM program, * willingness to be randomly assigned to either active treatment or the control group. Exclusion Criteria: * having already learned the TM program, * not being available to attend treatment or testing sessions.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i)

The EQ-i is a self-report instrument that measures a range of non-cognitive capabilities, competencies, and skills that influence one's ability to succeed in coping with environmental demands and pressures.

Time frame: Change from baseline EQ-i at four months

Secondary Outcomes

Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)

The PSS is a 14-item instrument that measures the degree to which situations in one's life are appraised as stressful.

Time frame: Change from baseline PSS at four months

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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