REDUCING ENVY AND INCREASING HAPPINESS FOR ANOTHER'S SUCCESS

Previous research has shown that envy is a painful feeling associated with negative consequences; nonetheless, research on ways of mitigating envy is scant. The present study investigated whether trait mindfulness was associated with less envy and greater happiness for another's success and whether these relationships were mediated by trait gratitude and compassionate goals. This study was also the first to examine the effectiveness of an intervention on reducing envy and increasing happiness for another's success. Specifically, the present study examined the effect of a mindfulness-gratitude induction on envy and happiness for another's success compared to a neutral induction. Undergraduate students were randomly assigned to either a mindfulness-gratitude induction or a neutral induction. Envy and happiness for another's success were evaluated. Pre-intervention measures included measures of trait mindfulness, trait gratitude, compassionate goals, and positive and negative affect. Results indicated that mindfulness as measured by either the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) or Mindfulness Process Questionnaire (MPQ) was inversely associated with envy and positively associated with happiness for another's success. However, when controlling for positive and negative affect, only the relationship between the MPQ and happiness for another's success remained significant. Gratitude was found to mediate the relationship between mindfulness and envy but evidence for gratitude as a mediator between mindfulness and happiness for another's success was mixed. Compassionate goals mediated the relationship between mindfulness and envy and mindfulness and happiness for another's success. Contrary to predictions, the mindfulness-gratitude induction did not decrease envy or increase happiness for another's success compared to a neutral condition. Results and their implications, limitations, and a conclusion are discussed.