Social identity processes and mindfulness are two important predictors of wellbeing.
Yet, to date, these predictors have been studied independently, within separate research
fields. This paper aims to provide an initial integration of these two research fields. Our
research was conducted in a context characterised by multiple chronic ...
Social identity processes and mindfulness are two important predictors of wellbeing.
Yet, to date, these predictors have been studied independently, within separate research
fields. This paper aims to provide an initial integration of these two research fields. Our
research was conducted in a context characterised by multiple chronic stressors: A maximum
security prison in Kenya. In particular, two studies measured social identification with a
mindfulness group and dispositional mindfulness. We investigated the effects of these
constructs on three wellbeing measures: mental wellbeing, resilience (Studies 1 & 2), and
reduction of substance use (Study 2). Our results, replicated across two studies (Study 1: N =
82, Study 2: N = 145), revealed that both social identification with the mindfulness group and
mindfulness predicted psychological outcomes. Social identification explained variance in
mental wellbeing and resilience in addition to the variance explained by mindfulness. Study 2
additionally showed that both identification and mindfulness were positively related to a
reduction in substance use. However, when examined together, social identification held all
the explanatory power, and mindfulness was no longer a significant predictor. From the
overall results, we argue that social identity processes can be fruitfully combined with
mindfulness in wellbeing programmes delivered in high-stress environments such as prisons.
Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.