Effects of an 8-Week Mindfulness Course on Affective Polarization

Objectives 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 thus 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 follow-up 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). Conclusions Taken together, the findings highlight the potential of mindfulness training as a means to reduce intergroup biases in political contexts.

Automated summary

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of an 8-week online mindfulness program on affective polarization among Remainers and Leavers. The results showed that participants in the mindfulness condition experienced significantly greater reductions in affective polarization over time compared to those in the waitlist control condition. These findings suggest that mindfulness training has the potential to reduce intergroup biases in political contexts.