The happy face of mindfulness: Mindfulness meditation is associated with perceptions of happiness as rated by outside observers

doi:10.1080/17439760.2011.626788

Paper

The happy face of mindfulness: Mindfulness meditation is associated with perceptions of happiness as rated by outside observers

Published Jan 1, 2012 · Yo-Han Choi, Johan C. Karremans, H. Barendregt

The Journal of Positive Psychology

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Abstract

The last decade has witnessed an enormous increase in research examining the effects of mindfulness meditation. One of the basic assumptions guiding this research is that meditation ultimately makes people happier. In this article, in two studies we tested whether meditators actually look happier. To address this question, outside raters judged the happiness of meditators and non-meditators based on a 15-s video clip of their behaviour. Study 1 demonstrated that novice meditators looked happier after an intensive 9-day meditation retreat (as compared to before the retreat), while Study 2 demonstrated that experienced mindfulness meditators looked happier as compared to controls. The interpersonal implications of these findings are discussed.

Non-RCT

Study Snapshot

Mindfulness meditation leads to increased happiness in both novice and experienced meditators, as rated by outside observers.

PopulationOlder adults (50-71 years)

Sample size24

MethodsObservational

OutcomesBody Mass Index projections

ResultsSocial networks mitigate obesity in older groups.

The happy face of mindfulness: Mindfulness meditation is associated with perceptions of happiness as rated by outside observers

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