Mindfulness Promotes Online Prosocial Behavior via Cognitive Empathy.

Yiqing Lv,Qingke Guo,Jie Leng,Xiuqing Qiao,Yuanhua Zheng

doi:10.3390/ijerph18137017

Abstract

Mindfulness plays an important role in promoting prosocial behavior and well-being. With the spread of Internet usage, people’s online prosocial behavior (OPB) has garnered great attention. Based on the link between online and offline behaviors, we predict that mindfulness can also facilitate OPB. We examined the association of mindfulness and OPB and the mediating effect of empathy. A total of 674 Chinese undergraduate students completed self-report measures of these constructs. The results showed that different dimensions of mindfulness predicted empathy, which in turn predicted OPB. Perspective taking was the main mediator in the mindfulness-OPB link. Mindfulness improves receptiveness to others’ needs and feelings, thereby enhancing the willingness to help them, even in none-face-to-face situations.

Highlights

Mindfulness plays an important role in promoting prosocial behavior and well-being
We propose that trait mindfulness is predictive of online prosocial behavior (OPB) (Hypothesis 1)
We found that different dimensions of the Facets of Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ)

Summary

Introduction

Mindfulness plays an important role in promoting prosocial behavior and well-being. With the spread of Internet usage, people’s online prosocial behavior (OPB) has garnered great attention. Based on the link between online and offline behaviors, we predict that mindfulness can facilitate. We examined the association of mindfulness and OPB and the mediating effect of empathy. Perspective taking was the main mediator in the mindfulness-OPB link. Mindfulness improves receptiveness to others’ needs and feelings, thereby enhancing the willingness to help them, even in none-face-to-face situations. Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment and accepting any thoughts or feelings without judgment [1]. Existing studies have proven that mindfulnessbased intervention programs can significantly reduce negative emotions, enhance the ability of emotion regulation, and improve happiness and self-reported quality of life [2,3]

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion