Summer 2024
Introduction
Mindbridge Insights: Navigating a Polarized Election Season
As we enter election season, the polarity in our country becomes increasingly evident. Understanding the psychology of human rights is more critical than ever. At Mindbridge, we are dedicated to advancing research and offering programs that foster resilience, empathy, and effective communication in these challenging times.
In response to the growing polarization and extremism, Mindbridge is actively working on initiatives to better understand these phenomena and develop strategies to counteract them. Our goal is to provide insights and tools that promote unity and constructive dialogue, helping to bridge divides and build a more cohesive society. To learn more visit the Countering Extremism Directive here.
In this issue, we are thrilled to share exciting developments within our team and programs:
Exciting New Course Offerings: We have launched MindMatters, a 6-week series exploring the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and human rights. This fall, we'll introduce Trauma and Human Rights Defenders, a workshop addressing burnout, moral injury, PTSD, and chronic stress for those on the front lines of global advocacy.
Gratitude and Loneliness Study: New research from the College of Charleston shows that practicing gratitude significantly reduces feelings of loneliness. Professor James B. Hittner's meta-analysis of over 9,500 participants demonstrates that higher gratitude levels correlate with lower loneliness levels.
Welcoming Our New Research Scientist: We are delighted to welcome Briana to our team. With her extensive background in psychology, neurobiology, and pharmacology, she will play a key role in advancing our research initiatives.
In a time when understanding and addressing psychological factors are vital to navigating the complexities of our society, we hope you find these updates enlightening and impactful. Together, let's continue to advance the field of psychology and human rights to create a more just and empathetic world.
We invite you to support Mindbridge in our mission. Your contributions enable us to further our research, expand our programs, and make a meaningful impact on society. To learn more click here.
Together we build a society based on human rights.
Onward.
- Laura Ligouri
Mindbridge Executive Director
Program Spotlight: The Mindbridge Institute
Recently the Mindbridge Institute launched MindMatters, a 6-week interactive, asynchronous series designed to cross the threshold between neuroscience, psychology, and human rights. This course touches on various topics relevant to all of us, as humans and as human rights defenders - from foundational neuropsychology to empathy, extremism to countering disinformation and communication opportunities, to human rights, social justice, mindfulness, and beyond. Designed with the idea to bring relevance to your own work, this course guides you through a project with the aim to incorporate neuropsychology and social justice into your projects and programming. I know that I am biased when saying this, but I really love what our team has accomplished in this update to the course, and I hope you take some time to learn more about it here.
Next up will be the launch of Trauma and Human Rights Defenders in Fall 2024. This workshop is designed to support human rights defenders (HRDs) on the front lines of global advocacy. It provides practical insights into recognizing and managing the symptoms of burnout, moral injury, PTSD, and chronic stress. Failing to identify and address these symptoms can have major negative implications on their crucial work, compromising effectiveness and well-being. Participants will learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma, develop effective individual strategies to protect their mental health, and apply organizational strategies to support their teams, ensuring sustained and impactful advocacy.
To learn more about the Mindbridge Institute or connect with us further, you can visit our webpage, or reach out via email to institute@mindbridgecenter.org.
Research Roundup
Welcoming Our Second Research Scientist!
The Mindbridge Research team is pleased to announce the addition of our second Research Scientist, Briana! Joining the team in May, Briana has a background in psychology, neurobiology, and pharmacology. Mindbridge is so excited that she has joined our expanding team, and we look forward to her invaluable expertise and supervision experience as we take on new project initiatives.
Did You Know?
Gratitude Predicts Reduced Feelings of Loneliness, Comprehensive Study Finds
New research conducted by the College of Charleston suggests the significant effect practicing gratitude has on reducing feelings of loneliness. Professor of Psychology, James B Hittner, conducted a meta-analysis of over 26 studies on the topic with his colleagues to better understand the relationship between gratitude and experiencing loneliness.
From PsyPost, June 13th, 2024 (see the article here)
A meta-analysis is a method of quantitative statistical analysis that compiles the findings of multiple research studies of a similar topic and methodology. In the case of the current study, Hittner and colleagues were able to identify trends with a combined dataset of over 9,500 participants. The twenty-six studies used in the meta-analysis had a variety of sample sizes, population demographics, and geographic locations - which further supports the generalizability of their analysis.
Results indicated that individuals who experienced more instances of gratitude were less likely to experience feelings of loneliness. Statistical analysis also supported these findings: participants who had above-average gratitude scores had a 62.5% chance of having a low loneliness score.
“Our results suggest that heightened levels of gratitude are associated with greater interpersonal resiliency, thereby lessening perceived levels of loneliness.”
The full study can be found here: “Meta-analysis of the association between gratitude and loneliness”
