Strengthening the Inner Woman Research Project
Transcendental Meditation for Women Affected by Domestic Violence: A Pilot Randomised, Controlled Trial has recently been published in the Journal of Family Violence (April 2023)
TM was shown to be significantly more effective than group support at improving Quality of Life, Depression, Anxiety and Stress over 16 weeks.
This 16-week pilot randomised controlled trial recruited women from metropolitan Adelaide, who were exposed to any type of domestic violence in their lifetime.
Read the FINAL REPORT for the Strengthening the Inner Woman Project here.
You can also read the full article “Transcendental Meditation for Women Affected by Domestic Violence: A Pilot Randomised, Controlled Trial” which has been published online in Journal of Family Violence - here.
Conclusion: Domestic and family violence is a major public health issue, which impacts one in three women worldwide. The physical, psychological, economic and social implications of such violence are considerable. Transcendental Meditation® (TM) represents a promising treatment option for women impacted by domestic violence given its demonstrable effects on mental and trauma-related symptoms.
What women who were part of the study shared:
Participant : “I am really happy to have taken part in this study. I had never imagined how positive I could become. A long time I had no appetite, now I am enjoying eating for the first time in decades. My confidence is incomparable. Thank you for letting me know who I am. I would say it is a miracle. My sister-in-Law and others are impressed with me now and the progress I have made”.
Participant : “DV victims meet desperately to heal and TM is really useful to help this. I really appreciate this opportunity. Thank you”
Participant: “I get stressed each time a lawyer contact me, so I’m up and down with my emotions. However, when I do TM it does help me. I had noticed since I started from week one”. I think TM has enormously helped my mental health, such as my anxiety, depression, and begin more emotionally in tune with myself. My housemates have said they noticed a positive difference in my behaviour since learning TM.”
Participant: “I have been increasingly anxious and have found that the TM has helped calm me in a way nothing else does, it is a reminder to me that I am safe in my body”