An Evaluation of the Effects of Personal Resource Techniques
Abstract
Karate and Transcendental Meditation (TM) were studied as possible ways of alleviating drug abuse, on the theory that they might reduce some of the factors (anxiety and low self-esteem) often associated with heavy drug use. Two sets of scores on a wide range of lifestyle and psychosocial adjustment variables were obtained 4 months apart from 275 male college students. About 90 subjects volunteered for training in each of the techniques. About 60 of the volunteers for each technique were randomly chosen for training, with the unselected. A reduction in significant drug involvement among meditators was observed, whereas drug usage by quitters and controls remained unchanged. Meditators also reported a variety of life changes, e.g., serenity, increased energy, and increased performance effectiveness, unmatched by either quitters and controls, and appeared to shift from relatively anxious and inhibited profiles to more spontaneity and expressiveness. In the Karate study, fewer and weaker relationships were found. Participation in Karate was associated with somewhat improved self-esteem and mood but drug use habits were unaffected in the limited time frame of the study.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 31, 1974
- Accession Number
- ADA135954
Entities
People
- Ellen J. Eisner
- Thomas I. Myers
Organizations
- American Institutes for Research