Journal article
Prevalence, patterns, and predictors of meditation use among US adults: A nationally representative survey
Scientific Reports, Vol.6, 36760
2016
PMCID: PMC5103185
PMID: 27829670
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Source: InCites
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests substantial health benefits from using meditation. While there are some indications that the popularity of meditation is increasing, little is known about the prevalence, patterns, and predictors of meditation use in the general population. In this secondary analysis of data from the 2012 US National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) (n = 34,525), lifetime and 12-month prevalence of meditation use were 5.2% and 4.1%, respectively. Compared to non-users, those who had used meditation in the past 12 months were more likely to be 40–64 years, female, non-Hispanic White, living in the West, at least college-educated, not in a relationship, diagnosed with one or more chronic conditions, smoking, consuming alcohol and physically active. Meditation was mainly used for general wellness (76.2%), improving energy (60.0%), and aiding memory or concentration (50.0%). Anxiety (29.2%), stress (21.6%), and depression (17.8%) were the top health problems for which people used meditation; 63.6% reported that meditation had helped a great deal with these conditions. Only 34.8% disclosed their use of meditation with a health provider. These findings indicate that about 9.3 million US adults have used meditation in the past 12 months; and that mental health problems were the most important reason for meditation use.
Details
- Title
- Prevalence, patterns, and predictors of meditation use among US adults: A nationally representative survey
- Creators
- Holger Cramer (Author) - University of Duisburg-EssenHelen Hall (Author) - University of Technology SydneyMatthew John Leach (Author) - University of Technology SydneyJane E Frawley (Author) - University of Technology SydneyY Zhang (Author) - University of Technology SydneyBrenda Leung (Author) - University of Technology SydneyJon Adams (Author) - University of Technology SydneyRomy Lauche (Author) - University of Technology Sydney
- Publication Details
- Scientific Reports, Vol.6, 36760
- Publisher
- Nature Publishing Group
- Identifiers
- 991012911995502368
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health; National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article