Russo, Claudia, Romano, Luciano, Clemente, Davide, Arena, Maria, Rinallo, Elena, Stathi, Sofia ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1218-5239 and Panno, Angelo (2026) Virtual mindfulness fosters interethnic dating: the mediating role of connectedness. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction. ISSN 1044-7318 (Print), 1532-7590 (Online) (In Press)

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Abstract

Virtual Reality (VR) has recently emerged as a promising tool for promoting positive intergroup relations by enabling immersive intergroup contact experiences. Building on this line of research, the present study investigates whether a brief, virtual mindfulness scenario can foster interethnic closeness, specifically interethnic dating intentions as a proxy for interethnic closeness, through enhanced connectedness (i.e., a sense of oneness with others and the whole world). Using a within-subject experimental design, 136 participants were exposed to two immersive 360-degree VR interethnic scenarios involving the same multi-ethnic group of youths (while experiencing a mindfulness audio-track vs. without experiencing a mindfulness audio-track). Results showed a significant indirect effect of the mindfulness-based scenario on interethnic dating intentions via connectedness. These findings suggest that mindfulness elicits a state of psychological connectedness, which represents a key process facilitating intergroup openness. Implications for future research and for practical applications are discussed.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Virtual Reality, intergroup contact, interethnic dating, connectedness, mindfulness
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) T Technology > T Technology (General)
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development > Centre for Inequalities Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Human Sciences (HUM)
Last Modified:	23 Apr 2026 14:45
URI:	https://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/52874

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