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Mindfulness and compassion in human development: introduction to the special section.

Robert W Roeser, Jacquelynne S Eccles

Developmental Psychology 2015 DOI: 10.1037/a0038453 (opens in new tab)

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AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Editorial or introduction to a special section Peer reviewed
Topics Meditation
Keywords Humans Human development Empathy Self concept Concept formation Socialization Adolescent Child
Key points Argues that contemplative science has largely neglected a developmental life span perspective, leaving little understood about the naturalistic development of mindfulness and compassion in children and adolescents or how parents socialize these qualities. The special section aims to redress this gap by showcasing empirical work on construct conceptualization and measurement, family socialization practices, and interventions for children, adolescents, and caregivers.

Abstract

Research on contemplative practices (e.g., mindfulness or compassion training) is growing rapidly in the clinical, health and neuro-sciences, but almost none of this research takes an explicitly developmental life span perspective. At present, we know rather little about the naturalistic development of mindfulness or compassion in children and adolescents, or the processes by which parents can socialize these positive qualities in their offspring. Thus, the goal of this special section is to showcase empirical research articles that redress this absence of a developmental focus in contemplative science by focusing on issues of construct conceptualization and measurement, socialization practices in families, and the role that interventions can play in fostering mindfulness and compassion in children, adolescents, and care-givers alike.

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