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Alexander et al., 1991

Alexander, C. N.; Rainforth, M. V.; and Gelderloos, P. Transcendental Meditation, self-actualization, and psychological health: A conceptual overview and statistical meta–analysis. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality 6: 189–248, 1991.

This meta-analysis of all research on the effects of the Transcendental Meditation program on self-actualization, in comparison to other techniques, found that Transcendental Meditation had three times the effect size of other procedures in enhancing self-actualization and its underlying components (emotional maturity, integrative perspective on self and world, and resilient sense of self). The Transcendental Meditation program was also found to lead to significant improvements on each of the 12 scales of the most common test of self-actualization.

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Year
1991
Journal
Journal of Social Behavior and Personality
Publication type
Journal
Paper type
Empirical
Collected Papers
Vol. 6, pp. 3966–3995
Section
Development of Personality

Findings (15)

Self Development

  • Increased Synergy (Sees Opposites of Life as Meaningfully Related)

    Transcendental Meditation · Meta-Analysis

  • Increased Acceptance of Feelings

    Transcendental Meditation · Meta-Analysis

  • Increased Integrative Perspective on Self and World

    Transcendental Meditation · Meta-Analysis

  • Increased Resilient Sense of Self

    Transcendental Meditation · Meta-Analysis

  • Increased Self-Actualization through Transcendental Meditation in Contrast to Other Procedures as Demonstrated by Meta-Analysis

    Transcendental Meditation · Meta-Analysis

  • Increased Time Competence (Ability to Live in the Present; Ability to Connect Past, Present, and Future Meaningfully)

    Transcendental Meditation · Meta-Analysis

  • Increased Inner-Directedness (Independence; Self-Supportiveness)

    Transcendental Meditation · Meta-Analysis

  • Increased Self-Actualizing Value (Holding Values of Self-Actualizing People)

    Transcendental Meditation · Meta-Analysis

  • Increased Existentiality (Flexibility in Application of Values)

    Transcendental Meditation · Meta-Analysis

  • Increased Self-Regard

    Transcendental Meditation · Meta-Analysis

  • Increased Self-Acceptance

    Transcendental Meditation · Meta-Analysis

Social Behavior

  • Increased Capacity for Intimate Contact (Warm Interpersonal Relationships)

    Transcendental Meditation · Meta-Analysis

  • Increased Spontaneity

    Transcendental Meditation · Meta-Analysis

  • Increased Nature of Man Constructive (Sees Man as Essentially Good)

    Transcendental Meditation · Meta-Analysis

Psychological Health

  • Increased Emotional Maturity

    Transcendental Meditation · Meta-Analysis

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