Objectives
Mindful communication refers to paying attention to an ongoing conversation purposefully and non-judgmentally. However, empirical research on the prosocial benefits of mindful communication is scarce.
Method
This study examined the impact of mindful communication on individuals’ cooperative orientation via two studies. Study 1 employed a cross-sectional design (n = 359) to explore the relationship between mindful communication and cooperative orientation, and the mediating role of emotion regulation strategies (acceptance, positive reappraisal, and expressive suppression). Study 2 conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) study (n = 92) to further examine the relationship between mindful communication and cooperative orientation. The participants were randomized into a coaching group (n = 30), an active control group (n = 31), and a blank control group (n = 31). Variables were measured at three time points (before and after the interventions and one-month follow-up).
Results
The results of Study 1 revealed that mindful communication positively related with cooperative orientation, with acceptance as the mediator. In Study 2, linear mixed-effects models showed that participants' mindful communication and cooperative orientation increased significantly in the coaching group compared to those in the two control groups. However, we did not find evidence supporting the mediating role of positive reappraisal and expressive suppression.
Conclusions
The study contributes to our understanding that mindful communication had prosocial benefits of enhancing individuals’ cooperative orientation through the mediating of acceptance, which is an emotion regulation strategy and an essential facet of mindfulness. Finally, the limitations of this study and future research directions are discussed.
Preregistration
This study is not preregistered.