Loving‐kindness meditation to enhance recovery from negative symptoms of schizophrenia
David P. Johnson, David L. Penn, Barbara L. Fredrickson, Piper S. Meyer, Ann M. Kring, Mary Brantley
Journal of Clinical Psychology March 6, 2009 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.20591 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractLoving-kindness meditation (LKM) may help reduce negative symptoms of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, such as anhedonia, avolition, and asociality, while enhancing hope and purpose in life. Case studies illustrate how to conduct this group treatment, its potential benefits, and difficulties that may arise. LKM requires further empirical support but promises to be an important intervention given the limited treatments for negative symptoms.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Individuals suffering from schizophrenia-spectrum disorders with persistent negative symptoms |
| Intervention | Loving-kindness meditation |
| Citations | 158 |
| Key finding | Loving-kindness meditation may reduce negative symptoms and enhance psychological recovery factors such as hope and purpose in life. |
Abstract
In this article, we describe the clinical applicability of loving-kindness meditation (LKM) to individuals suffering from schizophrenia-spectrum disorders with persistent negative symptoms. LKM may have potential for reducing negative symptoms such as anhedonia, avolition, and asociality while enhancing factors consistent with psychological recovery such as hope and purpose in life. Case studies will illustrate how to conduct this group treatment with clients with negative symptoms, the potential benefits to the client, and difficulties that may arise. Although LKM requires further empirical support, it promises to be an important intervention since there are few treatments for clients afflicted with negative symptoms.