In the following interview we speak to Mishel Alejandra Mussali Meza, a student of the Master in Resilience in Educational Contexts about her Dissertation research.
What topic did you decide to focus on for your dissertation?
For my dissertation, I focused on how intensive meditation training during adolescence enhances self-regulation by improving interoceptive awareness, which is our ability to pay attention to and monitor inner body sensations. My study looks at this process as a fundamental mind-body mechanism that fosters resilience. I am particularly drawn to this topic because sensations are the unspoken language of the body, constantly influencing our emotions, decisions, and sense of self, and shaping our inner and outer experience as we move through the world.
Moreover, adolescence is a time of profound neurophysiological change, yet many young people are disconnected from their inner sensations. Meditation offers a way to reestablish this connection, as it helps us transform difficult sensations into sensory and mental material that can be understood and regulated. By studying this, I hope to understand how tuning into sensations can support emotional balance and resilience.
Can you share your dissertation goals, research hypothesis, and methods?
My dissertation focuses on assessing whether a 7-day intensive meditation course enhances interoceptive awareness in adolescents and to determine whether there are relationships between interoceptive awareness, self-regulation, and resilience.
I conducted a mixed-methods study. The quantitative aspect consisted of pre- and post-meditation questionnaires measuring interoceptive awareness, cognitive-emotional regulation, and resilience. I also conducted in-depth interviews with teenage meditators. My hypothesis is that practicing meditation enhances interoceptive awareness, which in turn supports self-regulation and resilience.
What challenges have you faced, or do you anticipate, in your research? How are you overcoming them?
I partnered with a meditation institute to make this study possible. Data collection began in late November and December, which was challenging as it coincided with my third semester coursework, assignments, and internship. Additionally, working with minors requires parental consent, adding another layer of complexity. However, it really helped having the support of of the Meditation Research Institute, my supervisors, and the teenage meditators who were very enthusiastic and supportive!
What topic did you decide to focus on for your dissertation?
For my dissertation, I focused on how intensive meditation training during adolescence enhances self-regulation by improving interoceptive awareness, which is our ability to pay attention to and monitor inner body sensations. My study looks at this process as a fundamental mind-body mechanism that fosters resilience. I am particularly drawn to this topic because sensations are the unspoken language of the body, constantly influencing our emotions, decisions, and sense of self, and shaping our inner and outer experience as we move through the world.
Moreover, adolescence is a time of profound neurophysiological change, yet many young people are disconnected from their inner sensations. Meditation offers a way to reestablish this connection, as it helps us transform difficult sensations into sensory and mental material that can be understood and regulated. By studying this, I hope to understand how tuning into sensations can support emotional balance and resilience.
Can you share your dissertation goals, research hypothesis, and methods?
My dissertation focuses on assessing whether a 7-day intensive meditation course enhances interoceptive awareness in adolescents and to determine whether there are relationships between interoceptive awareness, self-regulation, and resilience.
I conducted a mixed-methods study. The quantitative aspect consisted of pre- and post-meditation questionnaires measuring interoceptive awareness, cognitive-emotional regulation, and resilience. I also conducted in-depth interviews with teenage meditators. My hypothesis is that practicing meditation enhances interoceptive awareness, which in turn supports self-regulation and resilience.
What challenges have you faced, or do you anticipate, in your research? How are you overcoming them?
I partnered with a meditation institute to make this study possible. Data collection began in late November and December, which was challenging as it coincided with my third semester coursework, assignments, and internship. Additionally, working with minors requires parental consent, adding another layer of complexity. However, it really helped having the support of of the Meditation Research Institute, my supervisors, and the teenage meditators who were very enthusiastic and supportive!
How do you think your work on resilience can be applied in real life?
While mindfulness practices have gained attention in recent decades, we are only beginning to understand the mechanisms behind their effectiveness. It has been established that interoceptive awareness and mindful attention contribute to self-regulation. Meditation fosters neuroplasticity, so understanding how it enhances interoceptive awareness and resilience during adolescence could support teenagers in navigating emotional challenges during this crucial stage of development.
As I heard in my conversations with participants, meditation training provides a lot of benefits, from building a sense of self-esteem, self-discipline, inner peace and equanimity; all these qualities indeed support us during difficult times. Additionally, a deeper understanding of the processes underlying interoceptive awareness can also guide the development of culturally sensitive interventions, making mindfulness practices more inclusive and accessible. Some of the most cutting-edge research in mindfulness today is exploring precisely how to adapt and implement interoceptive awareness training across diverse cultural contexts to maximize their effectiveness.
What advice would you give to others interested in researching resilience?
Taking a multidisciplinary approach is beneficial; as I go deeper into resilience research, I am learning about neuroscience, psychology, cultural and spiritual practices, biology, buddhist philosophy, social systems and the mind-body connection. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods provides a deeper understanding, which is important when you are studying something so complex such as resilience processes.
While mindfulness practices have gained attention in recent decades, we are only beginning to understand the mechanisms behind their effectiveness. It has been established that interoceptive awareness and mindful attention contribute to self-regulation. Meditation fosters neuroplasticity, so understanding how it enhances interoceptive awareness and resilience during adolescence could support teenagers in navigating emotional challenges during this crucial stage of development.
As I heard in my conversations with participants, meditation training provides a lot of benefits, from building a sense of self-esteem, self-discipline, inner peace and equanimity; all these qualities indeed support us during difficult times. Additionally, a deeper understanding of the processes underlying interoceptive awareness can also guide the development of culturally sensitive interventions, making mindfulness practices more inclusive and accessible. Some of the most cutting-edge research in mindfulness today is exploring precisely how to adapt and implement interoceptive awareness training across diverse cultural contexts to maximize their effectiveness.
What advice would you give to others interested in researching resilience?
Taking a multidisciplinary approach is beneficial; as I go deeper into resilience research, I am learning about neuroscience, psychology, cultural and spiritual practices, biology, buddhist philosophy, social systems and the mind-body connection. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods provides a deeper understanding, which is important when you are studying something so complex such as resilience processes.
