Salud y desempeño escolar: un estudio cuantitativo exploratorio de escolares en Huay-Huay, Perú
Resumen
La escasez de datos en los niños en edad escolar en general, y en las escuelas no occidentales específicamente, relacionados con la salud, el rendimiento escolar y la práctica de la meditación, requirió este estudio. El hecho de que casi ninguna investigación previa de este tipo se haya realizado en América Latina hace que la presente investigación sea especialmente valiosa. Este estudio, en su mayoría cuantitativo, se llevó a cabo con 91 escolares seleccionados al azar, con edades comprendidas entre los 11 y los 16 años, en un remoto pueblo peruano en las montañas centrales de los Andes llamado Huay-Huay. Utilizando un instrumento de papel y lápiz de 47 preguntas para preguntar a los estudiantes sobre su experiencia con la meditación en cuatro categorías (es decir, salud física, salud cognitiva, salud emocional y desempeño escolar), este estudio observacional consideró si la práctica de la meditación tuvo un impacto autoinformado en la salud personal y la vida académica de los estudiantes y, de ser así, en qué medida. Los datos indican que la mayoría de los niños en Huay-Huay reportaron beneficios en todas las medidas, y estos aparentemente fueron más fuertes cuando los estudiantes practicaron la meditación con más regularidad. Los informes cualitativos apoyan estas conclusiones. El género y el nivel de grado no parecieron influir en este resultado.
Referencias bibliográficas
Adler, A. (2016). Teaching well-being increases academic performance: Evidence from Bhutan, Mexico, and Peru. Publicly Accessible Penn Dissertations, Article 1572.
Alexander, C. N., Rainforth, M. V., & Gelderloos, P. (1991). Transcendental Meditation, self-actualization, and psychological health: A conceptual overview and statistical meta-analysis. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 6(5), 189-247.
Alexander, C. N., Swanson, G. C., Rainforth, M. V., Carlisle, T. W., Todd, C. C., & Oates, R. M. (1993). Effects of the Transcendental Meditation program on stress reduction, health, and employee development: A prospective study in two occupational settings. Anxiety, Stress, & Coping, 6(3), 245-262. https://doi.org/10.1080/10615809308248383
Bai, Z., Chang, J., Chen, C., Li, P., Yang, K., & Chi, I. (2015). Investigating the effect of Transcendental Meditation on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Human Hypertension, 29, 653-662. https://doi.org/10.1038/jhh.2015.6
Barnes, V. A., Bauza, L. B., & Treiber, F. A. (2003). Impact of stress reduction on negative school behavior in adolescents. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 1(1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7525-1-10
Benn, R. (2003). Transcendental Meditation and emotional functioning in fifth grade students. Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies, 8(4), 480-481. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-7166.2003.tb03975.x
Boyko, E. J. (2013). Observational research-opportunities and limitations. Journal of Diabetes and its Complications, 27(6), 642-648. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2013.07.007
Brinckmann, J., & Smith, E. (2004). Maca culture of the Junin Plateau. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 10(3), 426-430. https://doi.org/10.1089/1075553041323821
Chalmers, R., Clements, G., Schenkluhn, H., & Weinless, M. (Eds.) (1989a). Scientific research on Maharishi’s Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi programme: Collected papers, volume 2. Maharishi Vedic University Press.
Chalmers, R., Clements, G., Schenkluhn, H., & Weinless, M. (Eds.) (1989b). Scientific research on Maharishi’s Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi programme: Collected papers, volume 3. Maharishi Vedic University Press.
Chalmers, R., Clements, G., Schenkluhn, H., & Weinless, M. (Eds.) (1989c). Scientific research on Maharishi’s Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi programme: Collected papers, volume 4. Maharishi Vedic University Press.
Dillbeck, M. C. (Ed.) (2011). Scientific research on Maharishi’s Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi program: Collected papers, volume 6. Maharishi University of Management Press.
Dillbeck, M. C. (Ed.) (2013). Scientific research on Maharishi’s Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi program: Collected papers, volume 7. Maharishi Vedic University Press.
Dillbeck, M. C., Barnes, V. A., Schneider, R. H., & Travis, F. T. (Eds.) (2020). Scientific research on Maharishi’s Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi program: Collected papers, volume 8. Maharishi Vedic University Press.
Dixon, C., Dillbeck, M., Travis, F., Msemaje, H., Clayborne, B., Dillbeck, S., & Alexander, C. N. (2005). Accelerating cognitive and self-development: Longitudinal studies with preschool and elementary school children. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 17(1), 65-92.
Fergusson, L., & Bonshek, A. (2017). Maharishi Vedic University in Cambodia: Educational reconstruction and social renewal (2nd edition). Maharishi Vedic Research Institute Press.
Fergusson, L., Ortiz Cabrejos, J., & Bonshek, A. (2020). Long-term meditation practice in Puno, Perú: A five-level exploratory model of theory and research. International Journal of Indian Psychology, 8(3), 755-777.
Fergusson, L., Ortiz Cabrejos, J., & Bonshek, A. (2021). Aymara childrens’ practice of Transcendental Meditation in Perú: A learning history model of parent and teacher perceptions. Journal of Latinos and Education (in early cite). https://doi.org/10.1080/15348431.2021.1876695
Fergusson, L. C., Bonshek, A. J., & Boudigues, J-M. (1995). Personality and health characteristics of Cambodian undergraduates: A case study of student development. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 22, 308-319.
Fergusson, L. C., Bonshek, A. J., & Le Masson, G. (1995). Vedic science-based education and nonverbal intelligence: A preliminary longitudinal study in Cambodia. Higher Education Research and Development, 15(1), 73-82. https://doi.org/10.1080/0729436960150106
Fergusson, L., Harmes, M., Hayes, F., & Rahmann, C. (2019). Lines-of-inquiry and sources of evidence in work-based research. Work-Based Learning e-Journal International, 8(2), 85-104.
Fergusson, L., Bonshek, A., Vernon, S., Phon, P., Mok, S., & Srey, V. (2020). A preliminary mixed methods study of health-related quality-of-life at three regional Cambodian universities. ASEAN Journal of Education, 5(2), 1-24.
Geertsen, S. S., Thomas, R., Larsen, M. N., Dahn, I. M., Andersen, J. N., Krause-Jensen, M., & Lundbye-Jensen, J. (2016). Motor skills and exercise capacity are associated with objective measures of cognitive functions and academic performance in preadolescent children. PLoS ONE, 11(8), e0161960. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0161960
Girard, J. M., & Cohn, J. F. (2016). A primer on observational measurement. Assessment, 23(4), 404-413. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191116635807
Grosswald, S. J., Stixrud, W. R., Travis, F., & Bateh, M. A. (2008). Use of the Transcendental Meditation technique to reduce symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by reducing stress and anxiety: an exploratory study. Current Issues in Education, 10.
Hills, A. P., Dengel, D. R., Lubans, D. R. (2014). Supporting public health priorities: Recommendations for physical education and physical activity promotion in schools. Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, 57, 368-374. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcad.2014.09.010
Jedrczak, A., Miller, D., & Antoniou, M. (1988). Transcendental Meditation and health: An overview of experimental research and clinical experience. Health Promotion, 2(4), 369-376. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/2.4.369
Kronholm, E., Puusniekka, R., Jokela, J., Villberg, J., Urrila, A. S., Paunio, T., & Tynjälä, J. (2015). Trends in self-reported sleep problems, tiredness and related school performance among Finnish adolescents from 1984 to 2011. Journal of Sleep Research, 24, 3-10. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.12258
Liu, C., Luo, R., Yi, H., Zhang, L., Li, S., Bai, Y., &Wang, J. (2015). Soil-transmitted helminths in southwestern China: A cross-sectional study of links to cognitive ability, nutrition, and school performance among children. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 9(6), e0003877. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0003877
Luziatelli, G., Sørensen, M., Theilade, I., & Mølgaard, P. (2010). Asháninka medicinal plants: A case study from the native community of Bajo Quimiriki, Junín, Peru. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 6(21), 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4269-6-21
Maharishi Foundation International. (2014). The Transcendental Meditation pocket book: Steps of knowledge and experience (3rd edition). Maharishi Vedic University Press.
Ministerio de Educación. (2017). Perú ¿Cómo vamos en educación? Ministerio de Educación.
Ng., Z. J., Huebner, S. E., & Hills, K. J. (2015). Life satisfaction and academic performance in early adolescents: Evidence for reciprocal association. Journal of School Psychology, 53, 479-491. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsp.2015.09.004
Nidich, S. I., & Nidich, R. J. (1987). Holistic student development at Maharishi School of the Age of Enlightenment: Theory and research. Modern Science and Vedic Science, 1(4), 433-468.
Nidich, S. I., & Nidich R. J. (1989). Increased academic achievement at Maharishi School of the Age of Enlightenment: A replication study. Education, 109, 302-304.
Nidich, S. I., Nidich, R. J., & Rainforth, M. (1986). School effectiveness: Achievement gains at the Maharishi School of the Age of Enlightenment. Education, 107, 49-54.
Nidich, S., Mjasiri, S., Nidich, R., Rainforth, M., Grant, J., Valosek, L., Chang, W., Zigler, R. L. (2011). Academic achievement and Transcendental Meditation: A study with at-risk urban middle school students. Education, 131(3), 556-564.
Nidich, S. I., Rainforth, M. V, Haaga, D. A., Hagelin, J., Salerno, J. W., Travis, F., & Schneider, R. H. (2009). A randomized controlled trial on effects of the Transcendental Meditation program on blood pressure, psychological distress, and coping in young adults. American Journal of Hypertension, 22(12), 1326-1331. https://doi.org/10.1038/ajh.2009.184
Nidich, S., Nidich, R. J., Salerno, J., Hadfield, B., & Elder, C. (2015). Stress reduction with the Transcendental Meditation program in caregivers: A pilot study. International Archives of Nursing and Health Care, 1(2), 1-4. https://doi.org/10.23937/2469-5823/1510011
O’Connell, D. F., & Bevvino, D. L. (Eds.) (2014). Prescribing health: Transcendental Meditation in contemporary medical care. Rowman & Littlefield.
Ooi, S. L., Giovino, M., & Pak, S. C. (2017). Transcendental meditation for lowering blood pressure: An overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 34, 26-34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2017.07.008
Orme-Johnson, D. W., & Farrow J. T. (Eds.) (1977). Scientific research on the Transcendental Meditation program: Collected papers, volume 1. Maharishi European Research University Press.
Rencher, A. C. (2002). Methods of multivariate analysis (2nd ed.). Wiley-Interscience, John Wiley & Sons. https://doi.org/10.1002/0471271357
Robdell, D. T., Delman, E. M., Abbott, M. B., Besonen, M. T., & Tapia, P. M. (2014). The heavy metal contamination of Lake Junín National Reserve, Peru: An unintended consequence of the juxtaposition of hydroelectricity and mining. GSA Today, 24(8), 4-10. https://doi.org/10.1130/GSATG200A.1
Romero, C., Zavaleta, C., Cabrera, L., Gilman, R. H., Miranda, J. J. (2014). Hipertensión arterial y obesidad en indígenas asháninkas de la región Junín, Perú. La Revista Peruana de Medicina Experimental y Salud Pública, 31(1), 78-83. https://doi.org/10.17843/rpmesp.2014.311.11
Rosaen, C., & Benn, R. (2006). The experience of Transcendental Meditation in middle school students: A qualitative report. Explore, 2, 422-425. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2006.06.001
Schötz, E., Otten, S., Wittmann, M., Schmidt, S., Kohls, N., & Meissner, K. (2016). Time perception, mindfulness and attentional capacities in transcendental meditators and matched controls. Personality and Individual Differences, 93, 16-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2015.10.023
Wallace, R. K., Orme-Johnson, D. W., & Dillbeck, M. C. (Eds.) (1990). Scientific research on Maharishi’s Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi program: Collected papers, volume 5. Maharishi International University Press.
Wendt, S., Hipps, J., Abrams, A., Grant, J., Valosek, L., & Nidich, S. (2015). Practicing Transcendental Meditation in high schools: Relationship to well-being and academic achievement among students. Contemporary School Psychology, 19, 312-319. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40688-015-0066-6
Yoshimura, M., Kurokawa, E., Noda, T., Hineno, K., Tanaka, Y., Kawai, Y., & Dillbeck, M. C. (2015). Disaster relief for the Japanese earthquake-tsunami of 2011: Stress reduction through the Transcendental Meditation technique. Psychological Reports: Mental & Physical Health, 117(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.2466/02.13.PR0.117c11z6