Promoting Resilience Among Maltreated Youth Using Meditation, Yoga, Tai Chi and Qigong: A Scoping Review of the Literature

Examining factors that support resilience is critical to ameliorating the impact of child maltreatment. This paper evaluated existing evidence for the effects of “Eastern Arts” (i.e., meditation, yoga, tai chi, qigong) on resilience (i.e., positive health and socioeconomic outcomes) among maltreated youth. Using a scoping review framework as outlined by Arksey and O’Malley (Int J Soc Res Methodol 8:19–32, 2005), we searched through five peer-reviewed databases, limiting the search to English-language articles, with no limit on time frame of publication. We then used pre-specified six-point inclusion/exclusion criteria to select journal articles for review. The initial literature search returned 330 articles, eight of which met the criteria and were selected for further review. All but one of the studies showed some improvement in the targeted dependent variable for the Eastern Arts intervention group versus the control group/pre-post intervention. Though the number of articles examining Eastern Arts interventions is extremely limited, the majority of studies included in this review showed an improvement in the targeted health outcome. Given the strong theoretical background, positive (though limited) research outcomes, and minimal side effects, further examination of the Eastern Arts for supporting resilience among maltreated youth, and use in the child welfare context, is warranted.