Short answer
Consider designing products and services that facilitate emotional exploration and self-management, particularly for male demographics, by incorporating principles learned from practices like meditation.
- Field
- User-Centred Design
- Source
- WestminsterResearch (University of Westminster) (2012)
- Method
- Longitudinal mixed-methods study
- Sample
- 30 participants
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Engaging in meditation can facilitate men's positive management of well-being by fostering emotional intelligence and challenging traditional masculine norms. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2012 study published in WestminsterResearch (University of Westminster). Using Longitudinal mixed-methods study with 30 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Consider designing products and services that facilitate emotional exploration and self-management, particularly for male demographics, by incorporating principles learned from practices like meditation.
Meditation as a pathway to enhanced male well-being and emotional intelligence
Engaging in meditation can facilitate men's positive management of well-being by fostering emotional intelligence and challenging traditional masculine norms.
WestminsterResearch (University of Westminster) · 2012
Key Findings
- 01Men navigate challenging personal journeys to engage with meditation.
- 02Meditation engagement is associated with positive outcomes on mental health indicators.
- 03Meditation can contribute to the development of emotional intelligence in men.
Application
Design takeaway
Consider designing products and services that facilitate emotional exploration and self-management, particularly for male demographics, by incorporating principles learned from practices like meditation.
How to apply
Develop digital tools or physical products that guide users through mindfulness exercises, track emotional states, or provide educational content on emotional intelligence, tailored to resonate with male users.
Project actions
- 01When researching user needs, consider how societal norms might influence engagement with certain well-being practices.
- 02Explore qualitative methods like interviews to understand the personal journeys and motivations of users.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Longitudinal design allows for observation of changes over time.
- +Mixed-methods approach provides a richer understanding by combining qualitative and quantitative data.
Limitations
The sample size was relatively small and specific, so findings might not apply to all men.
Reliability & validity
The use of narrative interviews and EEG measurements, along with a longitudinal design, contributes to both the depth (validity) and potential robustness (reliability) of the findings, though the specific sample may limit generalizability.
Think critically
To what extent do traditional masculine norms act as a barrier to men seeking and benefiting from well-being interventions, and how can design overcome these barriers?
Design Principles
"Well-being interventions should be designed to be accessible and adaptable to diverse user experiences, acknowledging individual journeys and challenges."
Understanding how men engage with practices like meditation offers valuable insights for designing interventions and products that support mental health. It highlights the potential for non-traditional approaches to address societal perceptions of masculinity and promote emotional well-being.
What This Means for Your Design
This research shows that meditation can help men feel better mentally by teaching them to understand and manage their emotions, even if it's hard for them to start.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify exploring user-centered design approaches for mental well-being products targeting men.
- 2.Cite this study when discussing the potential benefits of mindfulness or emotional intelligence development in your design project.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This study by Lomas (2012) explored how men engage with meditation to improve their well-being, finding that such practices can foster emotional intelligence and challenge restrictive masculine norms. This highlights the importance of designing mental health resources that acknowledge diverse user journeys and support emotional self-management.
Source
WestminsterResearch (University of Westminster)
Journeys towards well-being: men, meditation and mental health
journal · 2012
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about meditation as a pathway to enhanced male well-being and emotional intelligence?
- Consider designing products and services that facilitate emotional exploration and self-management, particularly for male demographics, by incorporating principles learned from practices like meditation. Evidence: WestminsterResearch (University of Westminster) (2012).
- Why does "Meditation as a pathway to enhanced male well-being and emotional intelligence" matter for design?
- Understanding how men engage with practices like meditation offers valuable insights for designing interventions and products that support mental health. It highlights the potential for non-traditional approaches to address societal perceptions of masculinity and promote emotional well-being.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Consider designing products and services that facilitate emotional exploration and self-management, particularly for male demographics, by incorporating principles learned from practices like meditation.
- What were the main findings?
- Men navigate challenging personal journeys to engage with meditation.. Meditation engagement is associated with positive outcomes on mental health indicators.. Meditation can contribute to the development of emotional intelligence in men.
- What research method was used?
- Longitudinal mixed-methods study with 30 participants.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2012 journal from WestminsterResearch (University of Westminster).
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- Develop digital tools or physical products that guide users through mindfulness exercises, track emotional states, or provide educational content on emotional intelligence, tailored to resonate with male users.
- What are the limitations?
- The study focused on a specific group of male meditators, primarily from one organization, which may limit the generalizability of findings to broader male populations or different cultural contexts.