The relation of mindfulness and prosocial behavior: What do we (not) know?

Abstract

Mindfulness is a hot topic in psychological research and the popular media. One central claim in the literature is that enhanced mindfulness fosters prosocial behavior. This article recapitulates what is currently known about this widespread claim. We first review theoretical perspectives on why enhanced mindfulness should foster prosocial behavior and discuss relevant empirical evidence. Two meta-analyses provide preliminary support for this claim. However, limitations call for caution when interpreting the evidence and studies investigating effects that persist over sustained periods of time are missing. In addition, theoretical assumptions about the underlying mechanisms need stronger empirical support.We discuss theoretical predicaments, identify potential downsides of mindfulness, and suggest ways forward for future research.

Mindfulness and Voluntary Work Behavior: Further Support for an Affect Mediation Model

“…What mindfulness does to behavior is less certain at the present time, but this is an emerging area of interest ( Ryan et al, 2021 ; Schindler and Friese, 2022 ). Perhaps most straightforwardly, mindfulness should promote better awareness of what one is doing ( Lyddy and Good, 2017 ), which should decrease tendencies toward behavioral error in tasks dependent on attentional resources ( Kang et al, 2013 ).…”

“…As indicated above, a number of studies have linked mindfulness to prosocial behavior ( Donald et al, 2019 ), though the scope of these effects as well as their mechanisms require further study ( Reb et al, 2020 ; Schindler and Friese, 2022 ). Mindfulness is protective against stress and distress ( Mesmer-Magnus et al, 2017 ), which often motivate individuals to escape situations that involve others in need ( Batson, 2011 ).…”

“…Having reviewed lines of research pertinent to the present project, we note that questions of mechanism are critical in mindfulness research ( Reb et al, 2020 ; Schindler and Friese, 2022 ), and there is a large body of work linking mindfulness to affective variables such as stress, anxiety, anger, confidence, and so on ( Mesmer-Magnus et al, 2017 ; Carpenter et al, 2019 ). Given that this is true, there is also a growing sense that mindfulness may impact behaviors largely or primarily through affective routes.…”

“…Whether manipulated or naturally varying, the correlates of mindfulness appear to be similar and they are traditionally thought of in terms of reduced levels of stress and distress in combination with higher levels of psychological wellbeing ( Goodman et al, 2015 ). Increasingly so, however, researchers have explored the interface between mindfulness and social behavior, with results appearing to suggest that mindful individuals are less prone to antisocial behavior ( DeSteno et al, 2018 ) and more prone to prosocial behavior ( Schindler and Friese, 2022 ). The scope of these behavioral correlates is a topic of considerable interest ( Condon, 2019 ) and understanding these relationships may require increased attention concerning plausible mediators or mechanisms ( Reb et al, 2020 ; Schindler and Friese, 2022 ).…”

“…Increasingly so, however, researchers have explored the interface between mindfulness and social behavior, with results appearing to suggest that mindful individuals are less prone to antisocial behavior ( DeSteno et al, 2018 ) and more prone to prosocial behavior ( Schindler and Friese, 2022 ). The scope of these behavioral correlates is a topic of considerable interest ( Condon, 2019 ) and understanding these relationships may require increased attention concerning plausible mediators or mechanisms ( Reb et al, 2020 ; Schindler and Friese, 2022 ). The present research sought to contribute to this understanding in the particular context of voluntary work behaviors, which include tendencies toward workplace deviance ( Bennett and Robinson, 2003 ) as well as organizational citizenship ( Organ, 2018 ).…”