The Impact of Transcendental Meditation on Happiness and Self-Efficacy among University Students

Abstract

Background: The transition from high school to university signifies a critical juncture in a young individual's life, characterized by a myriad of academic, social, and personal challenges. With the intensifying demands of higher education, the preservation of mental and emotional well-being emerges as a paramount concern.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impact of Transcendental Meditation (TM) on the happiness and self-efficacy levels of university students. The research sought to analyse the transformative potential of TM in enhancing the psychological well-being and holistic growth of students as a complementary approach to traditional educational practices. Materials and Methods: The study enrolled 200 students aged 18 to 23 years who were not engaged in any form of meditation practice. Employing purposive sampling, participants were offered the opportunity to partake in the Transcendental Meditation (TM) training program provided by Maharishi University in Lucknow. These participants underwent a three-day initiation process for the TM training program, where personalized mantras were imparted, and they engaged in 20-minute meditation sessions twice daily. Data collection involved the utilization of Self-Efficacy scales developed by Mathur and Bhatnagar (2012), and Happiness scales devised by Rastogi and Moorjani (2016), as well as semi-structured interviews. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, T-tests, and the Pearson Correlation Coefficient, were employed to evaluate the pre and post-data of happiness and self-efficacy. Results: The findings revealed a statistically significant difference between pre and post-data of happiness and self-efficacy among university students practising Transcendental Meditation (statistically significant at the 0.01 level). Additionally, a positive weak correlation was observed between Happiness and Self-Efficacy, highlighting the potential interconnectedness of these aspects. Conclusions: The findings contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the benefits of meditation in educational settings and highlight the potential value of integrating such practices into university programs.