Effect of Meditation on Reaction to Aggression in Delinquents and Non-Delinquents: An Interventional Study

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was, to find out the effect of meditation on reaction to aggression in delinquents and non-delinquents. Reactive aggression is a response against aggression. Generally, we see that aggression will produce aggressive or nonaggressive reactions. Adolescence is a time when maladaptive and dysfunctional anger frequently manifests. A youngster who has performed an act that would constitute a crime if committed by an adolescent is referred to as a delinquent or juvenile. Juvenile crime stems from a complex array of causes including learning patterns, social conditions, poor supervision, a lack of strong role models, limited opportunity, negative conditions associated with poverty, and an abusive background. States and nations have different definitions of juvenile age. Rajyog Meditation is a practice that combines mental and physical methods to help you focus or cleanse your thoughts. The sample of the study consisted of 80 subjects, 40 delinquents and 40 non-delinquents (20 males. and 20 females each) age group 12-17 years. These subjects were selected through quota random sampling from schools and Bal Sudhar Grah (Only those delinquents who participated in the study were sentenced to jail) respectively, of Meerut district. The Reaction to Aggression Scale was used for measurement of aggression. The delinquents who scored high on the reaction to aggression scale, meditation was practised for three months. Two times ratings were taken on Reaction to Aggression Scale To see the effect of Rajyog Meditation on reaction to aggression of delinquents, each after 45 days. The difference between mean and SD scores of Reaction to Aggression of delinquent was significantly higher than non-delinquent subjects. Mean and SD scores of Reaction to Aggression of male subjects was found significantly higher than female subjects. ANOVA scores find significant at .01 level of significance showing a significant main effect of aggression on delinquency. A pre-past effect design was employed to find out the effect of Rajyog Meditation on reaction to aggressive in delinquents. The t-test values of pre-test and post-test-1 and post-test-2 have significant difference, 8% reduction in Mean scores of reaction to aggression after 45 days, and 16% reduction in Mean scores of reaction to aggression after 90 days. The results indicated that delinquents were more reactive for aggression than non-delinquents. The boys show more aggression than the girls. As an intervention programme, Rajyog Meditation find useful in reducing the level of aggression among delinquents.