Mindfulness Meditation As A Stress And Negative Emotion Management Tool: A Quasi-experimental Study

الملخص

Meditation, as a spiritual practice that promotes introspection and prolonged personal reflection, is raising increasing interest in the field of positive psychology due to its potential benefits for negative emotion management and mental recalibration. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of mindfulness meditation in reducing anxiety and mitigating unpleasant emotions triggered by unexpected stress, particularly in individuals exposed to simulated testing conditions. A quasi-experimental method was conducted, involving 32 participants exposed to an unexpected exam scenario. Anxiety levels were assessed using Spielberger's Anxiety-State Inventory, Form Y (STAI-Y), while emotions were measured using the PANAS (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule) scale. Pre- and post-meditation assessments were administered at a training center in Blida - Algeria. The findings of this study revealed that a very high score of anxiety is associated with a set of negative emotions. However, the practice of mindfulness meditation has demonstrated its ability to help individuals regulate their emotions effectively in response to demanding and unexpected situations. Following the meditation session, participants exhibited a significant reduction in both anxiety and negative emotions. These findings underscore the practical utility of mindfulness meditation as a valuable tool for emotional regulation and contribute to the expanding body of knowledge.