Meditation Experience is Related Differently to Two Types of Shame

Abstract

Shame is a debilitating, powerful emotion where one negatively evaluates the self (internal shame) or perceives that others view them negatively (external shame). High levels of shame can lead to mental health problems. Meditation practice is associated with positive mental health, but there is limited evidence concerning the relationship of meditation experience (years of meditation, frequency of meditation and minutes of meditation) with shame. This study explored the relationship of meditation experience with internal and external shame. Self-compassion, mindfulness and rumination were also investigated as possible indirect effects for this relationship. Adult participants recruited from the University of Adelaide first-year Psychology pool and Facebook took part in an online survey measuring meditation experience, internal and external shame, rumination, self-compassion and mindfulness. Measures of external shame and internal shame were positively correlated with rumination and negatively correlated with mindfulness and self-compassion. There was a significant relationship between frequency of meditation and years of meditation with lower internal shame, but not external shame. Mindfulness and rumination, but not self-compassion were indirect effects on the relationship between meditation and internal shame. Although intervention studies are needed, meditation may be a useful tool for reducing internal shame, by increasing mindfulness and reducing rumination.