title: Minding the interpersonal gap: mindfulness-based interventions in the prevention of ostracism.
abstract: Ostracism is a ubiquitous phenomenon, occurring across a broad range of social contexts and detrimentally impacting personal outcomes. Through enhanced present-moment attention and awareness, mindfulness-based interventions may help prevent this harmful behavior. The current research examined the role of state mindfulness in reducing the propensity to commit ostracism. This relationship was investigated in two studies: a field-based quasi-experiment (Study 1, n=51) and a laboratory-based experiment (Study 2, n=100). Both studies supported the utility of brief mindfulness-based interventions in reducing the propensity to ostracize others. The current studies support the relevance of mindfulness in addressing the substantial problem of ostracism. Among other benefits, fostering mindfulness in a variety of contexts may help reduce personal and social costs associated with this type of incivility. This research represents the first known attempt to utilize a personal resource (mindfulness) to decrease the degree to which individuals ostracize others.
authors.affiliation: Washington University in St. Louis, Brown School of Social Work, Campus Box 1196, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, United States. Electronic address: aramsey@brownschool.wustl.edu.
authors.forename: Alex T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Ramsey
authors.affiliation: Calvin College, Department of Psychology, 1734 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, United States.
authors.forename: Eric E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001288:Attention; D001364:Awareness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064866:Mindfulness / Q000379:methods*; D012929:Psychological Distance; D012934:Social Isolation / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Attention; Awareness; Exclusion; Mindfulness; Ostracism; Prevention; Pro-social behavior