Facilitating Psychological Closure and Emotional Change Through Mindfulness Meditation
This research is exploring if mindfulness meditation can help university students deal with upsetting memories. The study wants to see if practicing mindfulness can help people feel more at peace and less upset about past events they haven't quite moved on from. Researchers will have participants do a short mindfulness meditation followed by thinking about an unresolved memory. This is called 'Mindful Recollection'. Another group will do a simple 'mind-wandering' task instead of mindfulness before thinking about their memory. The study will look at whether mindful recollection helps reduce negative emotions and brings a sense of closure, and why that might be. The aim is to understand if this technique truly makes a difference compared to a simple distraction.
At a glance
What is this study about?
This study is investigating a new way to help university students who are holding onto difficult memories. You know how sometimes you have something in your past that still bothers you, and it feels like you haven't quite put it to rest? The researchers call this an 'unresolved memory'. They want to find out if a special type of mindfulness, called 'Mindful Recollection', can help people feel more at peace with these memories and reduce any negative feelings they have about them.
The main idea is that by being mindful before thinking about a difficult memory, people might approach it differently. Mindfulness is a way of focusing on the present moment without judgment. The study aims to see if this approach can help people accept their feelings, gain some perspective, and ultimately reach a sense of 'closure' – meaning the memory doesn't bother them as much anymore. They'll also be looking at the reasons why this might work, such as whether it helps people to accept things more or change how they think about the memory.
To test this, some participants will guided through a short mindfulness exercise and then asked to think about their unresolved memory. Another group will do a simpler 'mind-wandering' task before thinking about their memory. By comparing these two groups, the researchers hope to understand if mindfulness specifically helps improve how people feel about these memories, or if it's just the act of thinking about them. The study isn't about giving medical advice, but about understanding how mindfulness might be useful.
Key takeaways
- A study looking at mindfulness for difficult memories.
- Compares mindfulness to a simple mind-wandering task.
- Aims to see if mindfulness reduces negative feelings and brings closure.
- Involves listening to audio guides and thinking about a memory.
- Designed for university students.
- Participation includes two short sessions.
Who may be eligible?
To take part in this study, you need to be a university student. You must be able to hear and understand spoken instructions clearly and speak English well.
There are a few reasons why you might not be able to join. If you have a history of trauma (a very upsetting or frightening experience) or tend to feel disconnected from your body or thoughts often (sometimes called dissociative tendencies), this study might not be suitable for you. This is to make sure the study environment is safe and appropriate for everyone involved.
Basically, if you are an adult university student, understand English well, and don't have a history of trauma or related experiences, you might be able to participate. Both men and women are welcome to apply.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Am I a university student?
- Can I hear and understand spoken English instructions clearly?
- Do I have a history of severe trauma or frequent feelings of disconnect?
- Am I 18 years old or older?
What does participation involve?
If you decide to take part, you'll first be asked to fill out some questionnaires about your feelings and sense of closure regarding an unresolved memory. This will be your 'before' measurement.
Then, after a couple of days (between 24 and 72 hours), you'll come back for the main part of the study. You'll be randomly assigned to one of two groups: either the 'Mindful Recollection' group or the 'mind-wandering' group. If you're in the Mindful Recollection group, you'll listen to a 13-minute audio guide for mindfulness meditation, immediately followed by 2 minutes of thinking about your unresolved memory. If you're in the mind-wandering group, you'll listen to a 13-minute audio guide for mind-wandering, again followed by 2 minutes of thinking about your memory.
Right after this, you'll complete the same questionnaires again about your feelings and closure for that same memory. This will be your 'after' measurement. There are no medications involved in this study, and no long-term follow-up is mentioned beyond these two sessions.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- University of WindsorVerified postcodeWindsor, Canada
Common questions
What is an 'unresolved memory'?
It's a past event that still bothers you, and you feel like you haven't quite moved on or made peace with it.
What is mindfulness meditation?
It's a practice where you focus on the present moment, observing your thoughts and feelings without judging them.
How long will the study take?
It involves two short sessions, separated by 1 to 3 days. Each main task takes about 15 minutes, plus time for questionnaires.
Will I have to talk about my memory out loud?
The information provided suggests you will only be thinking about the memory, not discussing it aloud with researchers.
Who is running this study?
The study aims to learn if mindfulness meditation can help with closure and feelings towards unresolved memories in university students.
How to find out more
Anas Alsayed Hasan
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
Discussion
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