Transcendental Meditation boosts self-esteem and resilience among young women in Uganda

In a recently published study, Women’s Healthcare InternationalResearchers are investigating the effects of Transcendental Meditation (TM), a technique that uses mantra to induce deep relaxation and heightened awareness, on self-esteem, self-efficacy, gratitude, and quality of life behaviors among adolescent girls living in poverty in the slums of Kampala, Uganda.

study: The effects of Transcendental Meditation on self-esteem, self-efficacy, gratitude, and empowerment among young women in UgandaImage credits: PeopleImages.com – Yuri A / Shutterstock.com

The daily struggles of young women in Kampala

Girls aged 13 to 26 years old living in the slums of Kampala, Uganda, face enormous mental and physical challenges. In addition, they undergo critical stages of personal development while facing economic insecurity, food and housing insecurity, limited education, lack of employment, gender inequality and violence. All of this leads to low self-esteem, fatigue and an inability to cope with everyday stress.

Currently, resources dedicated to mental health services for young women in the region are severely lacking, therefore further research is needed to explore effective interventions that can empower and improve the well-being of young women in Kampala, Uganda.

About the Research

At baseline, 85% of the study participants were between 13 and 19 years old, with a mean age of 16.6 years. Most of the study participants had no education, 30% of whom were illiterate, and 15 were mothers.

Of the 150 women initially assessed, 146 completed baseline testing. Due to various personal circumstances, 16 study participants did not return for posttesting.

Ethical considerations included obtaining informed consent from study participants and their guardians, and all procedures were approved by the relevant authorities. The tool was translated into Luganda and adapted to the local context.

Study participants attended a 5-day TM instruction course, practiced TM at home, and monitored adherence in follow-up sessions.Due to literacy issues, data were collected in a question-and-answer format and analyzed using paired samples t-tests.

An 8-month follow-up questionnaire was administered to assess regularity of TM practice, physical health, stress and anxiety levels, and changes in relationships. All findings were recorded and analyzed to assess the overall impact on participants’ well-being and empowerment.

research result

Of the 146 people who took part in the study, 89% completed the five-month test. After the TM intervention, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and gratitude improved significantly, as did fatigue.

Adult Hope Scale questionnaire results revealed significant reductions in fatigue and anxiety. Additionally, frequency of drinking also decreased significantly, with eight in ten women who previously drank excessively reporting a significant reduction.

After 8 months, 88% of study participants completed a follow-up questionnaire reporting on the regularity of their TM practice, changes in their physical health, levels of stress and anxiety, and relationships at home and in the community. Compliance with the intervention was high, with 84.2% practicing TM twice a day, 7% once a day, and 9.6% less than once a day.

When it comes to physical health, 89% of survey participants reported improvements, saying they felt stronger, healthier, more energetic, thought clearer, had better self-esteem and were in an overall better physical state. Stress and anxiety levels also improved, with 98% reporting less stress and anxiety, being calmer, more focused, more resilient and not excessively worrying.

Family relationships improved significantly, with 98% of survey participants reporting increased cooperation, communication, peace, kindness, openness, and the ability to manage stress without resorting to violence. Relationships with friends and neighbors also improved, with 88% reporting increased communication, cooperation, social connectedness, forgiveness, patience, overall well-being, and adaptability.

Study participants shared personal testimonials about the benefits of TM practice: for example, a 16-year-old student reported improvements in his health, mental clarity, academic performance, and relationships.

Similarly, a 19-year-old woman said TM had given her the strength to overcome adversity and achieve her goals again despite difficult circumstances. A 21-year-old woman said that reducing worries and arguments had enabled her to pursue a hairdressing course. A 26-year-old single mother of three children also said that she felt more confident and strong to support her family.

Conclusion

The theory of inner empowerment emphasizes that self-esteem is essential for empowerment. TM promotes transcendence, stress relief and pure awareness, significantly increasing self-esteem and empowerment.

Participants in the current study reported improvements in health, energy, calmness, and social interactions. Increased self-efficacy and gratitude indicate improved coping abilities and a sense of well-being.

Taken together, the benefits of TM in reducing alcohol intake and fatigue highlight the positive impact it has on young women in Uganda, promoting their empowerment despite socio-economic challenges.