A recent study found that teachers who practise the Transcendental Meditation technique have significant and clinically important decreases in perceived stress, emotional exhaustion associated with teacher burnout, and depressive symptoms.

Study shows reduced teacher stress and burnout
by Maharishi University of Management, Fairfield, Iowa, USA, The Review
February 2014

A study published late last month by The Permanente Journal found that the Transcendental Meditation technique substantially decreased teacher stress and burnout.

Stress and burnout are pervasive problems among employees, with teachers being especially vulnerable to feeling frequent stress from their jobs. Burnout, a syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and job dissatisfaction, has been found to contribute to lower teacher classroom performance and higher absenteeism and job turnover rates.

This current study found lower psychological distress and decreased burnout in 40 teachers and support staff at the Bennington School in Vermont, a special in-residence school for students with behavioral problems.

"The results of this randomized controlled trial are very striking and demonstrate the utility of introducing a stress reduction program for teachers and other public and private employees," said Charles Elder, MD, lead author of the study and a senior physician in the Department of Internal Medicine at Kaiser Permanente Northwest.

The four-month study found significant and clinically important decreases in perceived stress, emotional exhaustion associated with teacher burnout, and depressive symptoms in those practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique compared to a wait-list control group.

"Burnout and other psychological distress factors have been linked to negative health behaviors, obesity, and hypertension, all of which are major contributors to cardiovascular disease," said Sanford Nidich, EdD, study principal investigator and professor of education at MUM.

"Prior medical research has found that practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique is effective in reducing both risk factors for heart disease and cardiovascular events," Dr. Nidich said. "Taken as a whole, this study and prior research provide evidence for the value of the Transcendental Meditation technique for enhancing mental and physical health and well-being."

This is the first study to investigate the effects of the Transcendental Meditation technique on teacher burnout. Recent published studies have shown a positive impact of this program on student graduation rates, academic achievement, and psychological distress.

The study was funded by the Nine East Network and David Lynch Foundation.

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