TY - JOUR

T1 - Mindfulness and Sustainable Consumption

T2 - A Systematic Literature Review of Research Approaches and Findings

AU - Fischer, Daniel

AU - Stanszus, Laura

AU - Geiger, Sonja

AU - Grossman, Paul

AU - Schrader, Ulf

PY - 2017/9/20

Y1 - 2017/9/20

N2 - Mindfulness, derived from Buddhist origins, refers to deliberate, unbiased and openhearted awareness of perceptible experience in the present moment. With its focus on cultivation of benevolent and clear-headed values and actions to self, others and the world, as well as its possible value in fostering greater coherence between values, attitudes and behavior, the concept of mindfulness has most recently attracted the interest of scholars in sustainable consumption research. So far, however, research on the connection between mindfulness and sustainable consumption is scattered across different disciplines and lacks integration. This paper contributes to a consolidation of the field. Based on a systematic literature review (N initial sample = 1137 publications, N preliminary sample = 32, N final sample = 7), it represents a stocktaking exercise to evaluate the research methodologies used and findings reported in the emerging field of empirical research relating mindfulness to sustainable consumption. The focus of the review is on four potential mechanisms of mindfulness for sustainable consumption that have been postulated in seminal conceptual works in the field: to disrupt routines, to promote more congruence with regard to the attitude-behavior gap, to nurture non-materialistic values, to enhance well-being, and to foster pro-social behavior. Preliminary evidence suggests support for these assumed potentials. However, the review also reveals that there are serious methodological challenges and shortcomings in existing empirical approaches, namely with regard to definitional issues, the development and use of instruments, selection of samples, study designs and the inclusion of mediating or moderating variables. The paper concludes with a discussion of challenges and recommendations for future work in the field.

AB - Mindfulness, derived from Buddhist origins, refers to deliberate, unbiased and openhearted awareness of perceptible experience in the present moment. With its focus on cultivation of benevolent and clear-headed values and actions to self, others and the world, as well as its possible value in fostering greater coherence between values, attitudes and behavior, the concept of mindfulness has most recently attracted the interest of scholars in sustainable consumption research. So far, however, research on the connection between mindfulness and sustainable consumption is scattered across different disciplines and lacks integration. This paper contributes to a consolidation of the field. Based on a systematic literature review (N initial sample = 1137 publications, N preliminary sample = 32, N final sample = 7), it represents a stocktaking exercise to evaluate the research methodologies used and findings reported in the emerging field of empirical research relating mindfulness to sustainable consumption. The focus of the review is on four potential mechanisms of mindfulness for sustainable consumption that have been postulated in seminal conceptual works in the field: to disrupt routines, to promote more congruence with regard to the attitude-behavior gap, to nurture non-materialistic values, to enhance well-being, and to foster pro-social behavior. Preliminary evidence suggests support for these assumed potentials. However, the review also reveals that there are serious methodological challenges and shortcomings in existing empirical approaches, namely with regard to definitional issues, the development and use of instruments, selection of samples, study designs and the inclusion of mediating or moderating variables. The paper concludes with a discussion of challenges and recommendations for future work in the field.

KW - Sustainability Science

KW - Mindfulness

KW - Meditation

KW - Sustainable Consumption

KW - Literature Review

KW - Methodology

KW - Consumer behaviour

KW - Sustainability sciences, Communication

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85024100312&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.06.007

DO - 10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.06.007

M3 - Scientific review articles

VL - 162

SP - 544

EP - 558

JO - Journal of Cleaner Production

JF - Journal of Cleaner Production

SN - 0959-6526

ER -