Abstract
ObjectivesThe European Union Brexit referendum has split the British electorate into two camps, with high levels of affective polarization between those who affiliate with the Remain side (Remainers) and the Leave side (Leavers) of the debate. Previous research has shown that a brief meditation intervention can reduce affective polarization, but no study has thus far investigated the effects of an 8-week mindfulness program on affective polarization. This is what will be examined in this study.MethodsThe present study used a randomized waitlist control design (n = 177) with a 1-month post-intervention follow-up to investigate whether an 8-week mindfulness program delivered online would have an effect on affective polarization among Remainers and Leavers.ResultsResults showed significantly greater reductions in affective polarization over time for participants in the mindfulness condition relative to participants in the waitlist control condition (time X group B = − 0.087, p = .024).ConclusionsTaken together, the findings highlight the potential of mindfulness training as a means to reduce intergroup biases in political contexts.Trial RegistrationPreregistered on the Open Science Framework at https://osf.io/px8m2.
Highlights
Using a randomized waitlist control design, we investigated whether an 8-week mindfulness program had an effect on affective polarization among Remainers and Leavers
The mindfulness arm showed a significant decrease in the trajectory of change over time relative to the waitlist control arm, which corresponds with previous findings on the relationships between mindfulness training and other types of intergroup bias (Oyler et al, 2021)
It suggests that sustained mindfulness training may be an effective intervention to reduce affective polarization, at least modestly
Summary
The European Union Brexit referendum has split the British electorate into two camps, with high levels of affective polarization between those who affiliate with the Remain side (Remainers) and the Leave side (Leavers) of the debate. Previous research has shown that a brief meditation intervention can reduce affective polarization, but no study has far investigated the effects of an 8-week mindfulness program on affective polarization. This is what will be examined in this study. Methods The present study used a randomized waitlist control design (n = 177) with a 1-month post-intervention followup to investigate whether an 8-week mindfulness program delivered online would have an effect on affective polarization among Remainers and Leavers. Results Results showed significantly greater reductions in affective polarization over time for participants in the mindfulness condition relative to participants in the waitlist control condition (time X group B = − 0.087, p = .024). Trial Registration Preregistered on the Open Science Framework at https://osf.io/px8m2
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