“Effect of Raj Yoga Meditation on Self-Compassion and Psychological Well-Being among Older Adults: A Quantitative Study”

Population ageing is a significant global phenomenon that presents various psychological and emotional challenges for older adults. Age-related changes such as declining physical health, reduced social engagement, and loss of roles often affect psychological well-being and emotional balance in later life. In this context, self-compassion has been identified as an important psychological resource that promotes emotional resilience, self-acceptance, and adaptive coping. Meditation-based interventions have gained increasing attention as non-pharmacological approaches for enhancing mental health outcomes. Among these, Raj Yoga Meditation, which emphasizes cognitive awareness and conscious regulation of thoughts and emotions, is considered particularly suitable for older adults due to its non-physical and accessible nature. The present study aimed to quantitatively examine the effect of Raj Yoga Meditation on self-compassion and psychological well-being among older adults. A pre-test–post-test experimental design was employed, involving a sample of 60 older adults aged 60 years and above. Standardized scales measuring self-compassion and psychological well-being were administered before and after a structured Raj Yoga Meditation intervention. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential techniques, including mean, standard deviation, and paired sample t-tests. The results of the study revealed a statistically significant improvement in both self-compassion and psychological well-being following the meditation intervention. Post-test mean scores were found to be significantly higher than pre-test scores, indicating the positive impact of Raj Yoga Meditation. Additionally, a significant positive relationship was observed between self-compassion and psychological well-being, suggesting that enhanced self-compassion contributes to better psychological functioning in later life. The findings of the study conclude that Raj Yoga Meditation is an effective psychosocial intervention for improving self-compassion and psychological well-being among older adults. The study highlights the potential of meditation-based practices in promoting mental health and quality of life in ageing populations and supports their inclusion in mental health and geriatric care programmes.