Learning From the Failure to Detect Effects of Mindfulness Interventions for Teachers

• In Event: Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism in Education SIG Paper Session

Abstract

The concept of mindfulness lies partly in Buddhist philosophy. Controlled trials have been done in educational research to understand effects of mindfulness interventions, and results of many have been summarized in meta-analyses. Our report focuses on failures to detect the effects of mindfulness programs. Learning from failure can help to improve the research and understanding of mindfulness activity. In particular, original studies listed in meta-analyses were further examined to uncover the reasons offered by authors for the failure to detect effects. The reasons can be classified into those hinging on planning and execution of the study, those related to the design and execution of the intervention, and other external factors. The implications for further work in this area are identified.

Authors

• Peihao Luo, University of Pennsylvania

• Robert Boruch, University of Pennsylvania