Meditation and Empowerment of Female Trauma Survivors with Co-Occurring Disorders: Implications for Social Work Practice.

This article examines the impact of a six-week meditation intervention on feelings of empowerment among female trauma survivors with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Using qualitative analysis of interviews with 32 participants in a residential substance abuse treatment program, the study identifies a pathway whereby meditation increased participants' emotional awareness, emotional regulation, positive self-regard, empathy towards self and others, and ultimately their ability to self-nurture and advocate for their needs. The findings suggest that meditation, delivered in a group setting, can serve as a strength-based, empowerment-focused complement to traditional treatments, potentially improving recovery outcomes for this population. The study highlights implications for social work practice and calls for further research on meditation's role in empowerment across diverse trauma-affected groups.