Meditation Lowers Stress and Supports Forgiveness Among nursing Students: A Randomized Controlled study

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of meditation lowers stress and supports forgiveness among nursing Students. Participants and setting: The study was conducted by adopting a Quasi-experimental, non-equivalent control group pre and post test design.50 nursing students who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected by using Non-probability purposive sampling technique. 50 women were assigned in experimental and control group. The study was conducted in Bhavana College of nursing, Nalgonda, Telugana, India. Intervention: A brief introduction about self and study was given to the nursing students and consent was obtained (both oral and written) and the confidentiality of the response was assured. Pre assessment was done in both experimental and control groups. In the experimental group meditation technique was practiced by the women and pre and post test level of stress was obtained using John D. Catherine and T. Mac Arthur perceived stress scale. In the control group without any intervention, the pre and post test level of stress was obtained for both the groups and the level of stress was assessed. Measurement and findings: Analysis revealed that the women in the experimental group showed a highly significant decrease in the level of stress following meditation at P 0.001 level when compared with the control group. Conclusion: Evidence suggests that meditation-based stress-management practices reduce stress and enhance forgiveness among college undergraduates. Such programs merit further study as potential health-promotion tools for college populations.