Whose Prosocial Intentions Are More Affected by Mindfulness, Young Adolescents or Young Adults?

Two studies were conducted to investigate: (1) the effects of dispositional mindfulness and short-term mindfulness induction on prosocial willingness, (2) the mediating roles of moral identity and moral disengagement, and (3) age-related differences between young adolescents (12-15 years) and young adults (18-24 years). In Study 1, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 271 college students (young adults) and 229 middle school students (young adolescents), assessing dispositional mindfulness, moral identity, moral disengagement, and prosocial willingness. In Study 2, an experimental design was employed to explore the short-term effects of two types of mindfulness inductions (with ethical elements or without) on these variables, involving 105 young adults and 142 young adolescents. Study 1 revealed that, in adolescents, moral identity significantly mediated the relationship between dispositional mindfulness and prosocial willingness, while moral disengagement served as the primary mediator among adults. Study 2 showed that different short-term mindfulness inductions significantly affected moral identity, moral disengagement, and prosocial willingness in adolescents, with significant mediation effects of moral identity and moral disengagement. However, these effects were not significant in adults. Both types of mindfulness induction showed differential mediating effects, suggesting age-specific psychological mechanisms. Findings highlighted age-related differences in how mindfulness influences prosocial behavior, mediated by moral constructs. Both studies consistently showed that, for adolescents, the moral psychology (such as moral identity and moral disengagement) significantly influences the association between mindfulness (interventions) and prosocial behavior. This provides important insights into ethical mindfulness education, emphasizing the need to account for psychological development characteristics when designing mindfulness programs for adolescents.