Millennial Mindfulness Mindfulness among Undergraduate Students: A Cross Country Perspective

Abstract

Present study aims to investigate the level of mindfulness among millennial students as they are the ones leading the professional landscape in the coming future. This study was carried out in the education sector of two countries (i.e. Pakistan & USA). Five Fact Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) scale is used to measuring level of mindfulness among millennial business graduates. Chi-square test is used for analyzing and comparing the mindfulness levels among students from two countries. Results of the test shows American students with higher degree of mindfulness compared to Pakistan students. Findings indicate that American students shows higher and lower degree of mindfulness in acting with awareness and non – reactivity to internal experience respectively. Where Pakistani students shows higher degree of mindfulness in Non – Judgemental to inner experience and lower degree of mindfulness to observing and non – reactivity to internal experience. Results of the study affirms that western and eastern countries observe individualist and collectivist cultures respectively. In collectivist culture children's decisions are influenced by their parents' will. Similarly, approval and disapproval from society has a significant impact on individual’s choices and decisions making. Such social and parental influencers prevent individuals from becoming mindful and paying close attention to what is happening around them. In contrast to western cultures which are dominated by individualism, prospects are independent in their lives, making choices and taking decisions by themselves. Therefore, observing things with their own sight and without the lens of societal clichés helps the, achieve and maintain high levels of mindfulness.