EFFECTS OF TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION AND MUSCLE-RELAXATION ON TRAIT ANXIETY, MALADJUSTMENT, LOCUS OF CONTROL, AND DRUG-USE

Randomly assigned 60 undergraduate volunteers to receive training in transcendental meditation (TM), training in a muscle relaxation technique, or no treatment. The training in muscle relaxation was designed to be maximally similar in structure and atmosphere to training in TM. The Adjective Check List, Behavioral Anxiety Measure, Rotter's Internal-External Locus of Control Scale, Incomplete Sentence Test, and other personality and drug-use measures were administered before and after the 9-wk treatment period. On the behavioral measure of trait anxiety, the scores of all 3 groups decreased equally, but on the self-report measure the TM Ss reported steady decreases in anxiety, whereas the scores of the other 2 groups remained unchanged. There were no differences in maladjustment, locus of control, or drug use as a function of treatment. Although TM Ss held higher expectancies for benefits and were slightly more regular in practicing their technique, individual differences in expectancy and frequency of practice were not correlated with degree of reported anxiety reduction. It is concluded that TM may reduce trait anxiety, but it has not been shown to be of value in inducing general personality change. (24 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1978 American Psychological Association.