THE ROLE OF MINDFULNESS TRAINING IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALTRUISTIC ORIENTATION AND ALTRUISTIC MOTIVATION TO HELP IN EARLY ADULTHOOD

Abstract

The article presents the results of a mindfulness training program designed to develop altruistic orientation and motivation to help in early adulthood. The study aimed to identify changes in mindfulness, empathy, prosocial orientation, and altruistic behavior after the program and to clarify relationships among these indicators. The sample comprised 34 adults aged 26–45 years. Participants completed a four-week program based on regular mindfulness exercises. Before and after the intervention, they were assessed using Ukrainian-language and adapted instruments measuring mindfulness facets, interpersonal reactivity, prosocial behavior, moral motivation, social responsibility, and altruistic orientation. Comparative analysis showed statistically significant changes in seven indicators. Self-orientation decreased, whereas interaction orientation, altruistic punishment, moral courage, describing, nonreactivity to inner experience, and perspective taking increased. Other indicators did not demonstrate significant pre–post changes. Correlation analysis revealed that perspective taking and empathic concern were positively associated with self-reported altruism and willingness to help. Personal distress was related to lower willingness to help and lower perceived usefulness of helping behavior. Nonreactivity was positively associated with self-reported altruism and perceived usefulness and negatively associated with personal distress. The findings indicate that mindfulness training may support altruistic orientation through greater awareness of experience, emotional self-regulation, perspective taking, and empathic concern. Further research will use regression analysis to determine which factors contribute most strongly to altruistic orientation and motivation to help.