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Altruism, Happiness, and Health: It's Good to Be Good
Abstract
Altruistic (other-regarding) emotions and behaviors are associated with greater well-being, health, and longevity. This article presents a summary and assessment of existing research data on altruism and its relation to mental and physical health. It suggests several complimentary interpretive frameworks, including evolutionary biology, physiological models, and positive psychology. Potential public health implications of this research are discussed, as well as directions for future studies. The article concludes, with some caveats, that a strong correlation exists between the well-being, happiness, health, and longevity of people who are emotionally and behaviorally compassionate, so long as they are not overwhelmed by helping tasks.
... La integración de prácticas éticas y morales en la vida cotidiana también ha demostrado tener efectos positivos en la salud mental. Diversos estudios indican que las personas que participan regularmente en actividades altruistas presentan niveles más bajos de estrés y depresión, y reportan una mayor satisfacción con la vida (Post, 2005). Este fenómeno puede atribuirse a la conexión emocional y social que se establece al ayudar a otros, lo cual refuerza el sentido de pertenencia y propósito. ...
... La integración de prácticas éticas y morales en la vida cotidiana tiene efectos positivos significativos en la salud mental. Diversos estudios indican que las personas que participan regularmente en actividades altruistas presentan niveles más bajos de estrés y depresión, y reportan una mayor satisfacción con la vida (Post, 2005). Este fenómeno puede atribuirse a la conexión emocional y social que se establece al ayudar a otros, lo cual refuerza el sentido de pertenencia y propósito. ...
... Hoffman y et al. (2020) afirman que "Recibir altruismo en la vida real aumenta el optimismo, la confianza en las relaciones sociales y la autoestima, y es más probable que las mujeres reporten una mayor gratitud hacia los demás". Post (2005) señala que "el altruismo, entendido como una preocupación desinteresada por el bienestar de los demás, puede ser una estrategia efectiva para mejorar la salud mental y el bienestar" (p. 70). ...
Introducción: Este estudio presenta una propuesta pragmática del concepto del bien como recurso para el desarrollo personal, enfocándose en cómo los eventos y procesos que forman nuestra realidad y nos construyen como individuos se vuelven conscientes e intencionados. Metodología: La investigación es básica, descriptiva y exploratoria, revisando estudios académicos sobre el bien como herramienta para el crecimiento y evolución personal. Se analizan conceptos como el bien, el mal, el tiempo y el lenguaje, vistos como construcciones intelectuales que ayudan en la formación del ser. Resultados: El estudio confirma que el bien, al igual que otras abstracciones del mundo como las matemáticas o la voz interior, es un proceso involuntario e inadvertido en la vida de las personas. A través de la toma de decisiones, el bien se construye de forma abstracta, influenciando nuestra ética personal. Discusión: El bien se muestra como una construcción intelectual accidental que orienta a las personas desde lo concreto hacia lo abstracto, en el proceso de formación de valores y ética personal. Conclusiones: El bien es una herramienta no intencionada que juega un papel crucial en la construcción de nuestra identidad y valores éticos a lo largo de la vida.
... Thus, wise people demonstrate emotional maturity, including altruism, which fosters a deep concern for other human beings [3]. In addition, positive feelings promote health by pushing out negative feelings [4], and altruism also reduces anxiety and fear, thereby making flight responses disappear and leading to health and happiness [5]. ...
... Actively expressing positive psychology increases perceptions of abundance [40]. In addition, members of successful groups are highly likely to instinctively conduct more considerate behaviors towards others [5]. A perception like that of type 2 coaches can help coaches and clients achieve common coaching goals. ...
Altruism is an important element that enables coaches to achieve their clients’ coaching goals. Using Q methodology, which enables the examination of individuals’ subjectivity, this study investigated South Korean coaches’ perceptions of altruism. Through a literature review, interviews, and surveys, 204 statements were collected from the Q population, and 40 statements were selected to form Q Samples. P samples were organized with 31 coaches registered with the Korea Coach Association, and principal component factor analysis using the Quanl program was applied to assess the data. Based on the results of this study, South Korean coaches’ perceptions of altruism were sorted into four types: type 1, ‘a perception type that considers altruism to lead to respect for the client’s presence’; type 2, ‘a perception type that considers altruism to be meaningful when practiced’; type 3, ‘a perception type that considers altruism is a mindset that leads to the development of happiness’; and type 4, ‘a perception type that considers altruism to be a basic attitude that coaches should have’. The results of this study will further clarify coaches’ perceptions of altruism, enabling them to receive the necessary training, develop their character, and achieve inner maturity. This, in turn, will help them improve their attitudes towards clients and further enhance their ethics and professionalism.
... The vast majority of people have more material wealth today than their parents had; the percentage of these populations that is happy, however, has not increased whereas, depression and anxiety rates have increased dramatically (Post G. , 2005). However, such elevated rates require serious reflection on our social environment. ...
... Early cross-sectional studies showed positive correlations between volunteering and mental health (Sneed, 2013). However, these studies have failed to establish a direct relationship between volunteerism and mental health which can't be generalized to the entire population (Post G. , 2005). ...
In this paper, we examined that whether engaging in voluntary work leads to greater well-being, measured by self-reported mental health and happiness. The primary objective of the research study was to establish a relationship between variables including volunteerism, mental health and happiness. Additionally, we assessed direct implication of volunteerism on mental health among the volunteers and non-volunteers. In order to evaluate, 50 volunteers and 50 non-volunteers were selected through snowball sampling from different areas of Karachi (Men: 56 and Women: 44). Participants filled questionnaire containing Demographic sheet, a Mental Health Questionnaire (Bargar, 1996) and The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (M. Argyle & P Hills, 2002). Pearson correlation test result indicated significant correlation between both variables. Moreover, an independent sample t-test revealed significant difference in the scores of mental health and happiness among volunteers and non-volunteers. Drawing on data, findings suggest that volunteerism lead to good mental health and happiness in volunteers.
... People who are capable of being grateful and kind, turn out to be more optimistic and happier (Watkins et al., 2003), can manage effectively adverse events (Emmons & McCullough, 2003) and are able to establish as well as maintain positive relations with other people (Algoe, 2012). Gratitude may also foster physical health, as it strengthens cardiovascular and immune systems, secures relaxing of the body during sleep, and promotes physical activity (Post, 2005). ...
Following the impact of positive psychology on education, the term well-being has recently received more attention. However, there is not much research devoted to practical aspects of developing well-being. The studies that exist focus on mindset of novice (Dweck, 2014b) or pre-service teachers (Irie, Ryan, & Mercer, 2018; Haukås & Mercer, 2021). Therefore, there is still much to be done as far as teacher training and well-being development (TT&WD) is concerned. Inspired by Maslow’s study (1943) on self-actualised people, the main aim was to present characteristic features of growth mindset teachers. A mixed method study (Cresswell & Cresswell, 2018, p. 304) was applied to analyse statements about pre-service teacher well-being. By focusing on teachers’ beliefs, the distinction was made between fixed and growth mindsets. In the first phase of the study, using Likert-scale, a set of 50 questions was created to capture nuances of positive and negative stance of pre-service teachers. The aim was not to verify the teachers’ “subjective well-being” (SWB) (Mazzucchelli & Purcell, 2015), but to focus on the “psychological well-being” (PWB) based on their beliefs and attitudes (Werbińska, 2011). In the second phase, a qualitative analysis of 15 narrative statements served as an indication of the pre-service teacher well-being. The narratives turned out to be the projections of either success or failure of the participants. Finally, a well-being intervention was used which aimed at influencing teachers’ mindsets by involving them in three tasks. The data also show subtle differences in respondents’ answers concerning the way certain students recognise and show their attitudes to life or the teaching profession, which correspond to fixed and growth mindset (Dweck, 2006). These findings highlight the importance of training pre-service teachers in well-being and offer some implications connected with developing a paradigm framework of teacher well-being.
... We found that users are motivated to assist others to customize by the good feeling of being helpful and by the challenge it represents. Helping others increases happiness [51], improves mood, and reduces stress [42]. We can further raise their motivation and confidence by including gamification mechanisms, particularly to leverage these factors and let them know how many users they have helped [53]. ...
User interface (UI) personalization can improve usability and user experience. However, current systems offer limited opportunities for customization, and third-party solutions often require significant effort and technical skills beyond the reach of most users, impeding the future adoption of interface personalization. In our research, we explore the concept of UI customization for the self and others. We performed a two-week study where nine participants used a custom-designed tool that allows websites' UI customization for oneself and to create and reply to customization assistance requests from others. Results suggest that people enjoy customizing for others more than for themselves. They see requests as challenges to solve and are motivated by the positive feeling of helping others. To customize for themselves, people need help with the creative process. We discuss challenges and opportunities for future research seeking to democratize access to personalized UIs, particularly through community-based approaches.
... Prosocial behaviors are acts that benefit others and often involve some personal costs 43 (Bierhoff, 2002). These actions are crucial for promoting individual physical (Post, 2005) and 44 mental (Raposa et al., 2016) well-being and serve as a powerful force enhancing social 45 cohesiveness and group bonding (Fehr & Fischbacher, 2003). According to the cost-benefit 46 framework (Contreras-Huerta et al., 2020), people help others either because they are highly 47 sensitive to others' welfare or because they are less sensitive to their own costs. ...
Prosocial behavior requires effort, yet people are often reluctant to exert effort for others' benefit. However, the manner in which effort exertion affects subsequent reward evaluation during prosocial acts remains elusive. Here, we leveraged the temporal precision of electroencephalography, along with a paradigm that independently manipulated effort and reward for self and another person, to uncover the neural mechanism underlying the reward after-effect of effort expenditure during prosocial acts. We found a dissociable reward after-effect between self-benefitting and other-benefitting effort. When the beneficiary was oneself, the reward positivity (RewP) became more positive as effort increased, indicating an effort-enhancement effect. In contrast, when the beneficiary was others, the RewP became less positive as effort increased, demonstrating an effort-discounting effect. Moreover, this dissociation occurred only when reward system was activated and was independent of performance evaluation. Our finding provides novel insights into how prior effort expenditure shape reward evaluation during prosocial behavior.
... This prosocial behaviour, according to several authors [60,61], is positively related to subjective happiness to the extent that this subjective happiness conditions human behaviour [29,[62][63][64][65]. The willingness to contribute to society is closely linked to the subjective happiness of each [66,67]. Participation in prosocial behaviour is likely related to the beliefs that a person holds, as various studies have shown [60,[68][69][70][71]. ...
Background
Satisfaction and happiness are two widely studied topics in current literature. Human beings need to find happiness. However, for many authors, satisfaction is a prerequisite for happiness. Satisfaction, in turn, can be approached from different perspectives, such as job satisfaction, health satisfaction, and social life satisfaction. This research analyses the relationship between these variables and their influence on proactive social behaviour.
Methods
The present study utilised the European Social Survey, an academic survey conducted across Europe in its round 10, carried out between 2022 and 2023, with a database of 25,311 valid responses. Structural equation modelling analysis conduct using PLS-SEM with the Smart PLS software.
Results
The results demonstrate a direct and significant relationship between overall satisfaction and happiness and between happiness and prosocial behaviour. Similarly, a solid indirect relationship exists between satisfaction and prosocial behaviour in society. Furthermore, job satisfaction is among the variables influencing overall satisfaction and happiness. However, it is not the most important, with satisfaction with social life being the most influential on satisfaction.
Conclusions and implications
Happiness is one of the main variables that influence people’s lives. As we have observed, this happiness has a direct and solid relationship with the individual’s level of satisfaction, with job satisfaction and satisfaction with social life being the most influential in this relationship between satisfaction and happiness. Therefore, these conclusions must be understood by both workers and employers and public administrations. Additionally, the relationship between happiness and prosocial behaviour is an interesting topic that the governments of countries and regions in Europe should consider.
... We found that users are motivated to assist others to customize by the good feeling of being helpful and by the challenge it represents. Helping others increases happiness [51], improves mood, and reduces stress [42]. We can further raise their motivation and confidence by including gamification mechanisms, particularly to leverage these factors and let them know how many users they have helped [53]. ...
User interface (UI) personalization can improve usability and user experience. However, current systems offer limited opportunities for customization, and third-party solutions often require significant effort and technical skills beyond the reach of most users, impeding the future adoption of interface personalization. In our research, we explore the concept of UI customization for the self and others. We performed a two-week study where nine participants used a custom-designed tool that allows websites' UI customization for oneself and to create and reply to customization assistance requests from others. Results suggest that people enjoy customizing for others more than for themselves. They see requests as challenges to solve and are motivated by the positive feeling of helping others. To customize for themselves, people need help with the creative process. We discuss challenges and opportunities for future research seeking to democratize access to personalized UIs, particularly through community-based approaches.
... At the motivational level, a second difficulty can arise when clients doubt their ability to act for the benefit of the climate or society through their career. In fact, the extent of social and ecological problems and their systemic nature can elicit a feeling that the scale of the threat exceeds the resources available to deal with it and thus lead to an experience of crippling impotence (Post, 2005). Accordingly, it is essential to help clients identify the resources available to lead a sustainable active life (Rochat & Masdonati, 2019). ...
Recently, career practitioners have been encouraged to help clients make career choices that are both environmentally and socially sustainable. However, to date, the career difficulties associated with this “green guidance” process have not been delineated. On the basis of the career development obstacles identified in the relevant literature, this article introduces a nonexhaustive typology of issues specific to the consideration of ecological and human factors in the context of career counseling. For each category of difficulty, examples are provided and practical suggestions are proposed. The contributions and limitations of this exercise are discussed, especially regarding its clarification of the role of career practitioners in promoting sustainability.
... To achieve this, several unique aspects were highlighted in the CSAs studied, such as social behavioral sympathy, conviviality, cooperation, community participation, and responsibility towards nature. Among these, cooperation stands out as a key factor (Rilling et al., 2002;Post, 2005). It is also important to understand the reasons that lead consumers to join or not join the CSA system. ...
Structured in three stages, this study aimed to evaluate the performance of Communities Supported Agriculture (CSAs) in the Southeast region of Brazil by analyzing internal indicators and methodological triangulation of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The main results show that the CSAs are not for profit, but for obtaining income and improving consumers farmers and consumers conditions and quality of life. Even with a family commitment to the productivity of the CSAs, female participation is an aspect that demands incentives; female participation still contributes to the reduction in the number of accidents at work that occur in agricultural practices and other activities of the CSAs. Also, the CSAs that reached the efficiency frontier determined by the DEA had a low number of members in their governance structure. This indicates greater fluidity in leadership and decision-making processes as the governance structure undergoes reductions. Co-producers’ support is a vital aspect of the success of CSAs; however, this can be enhanced by forming a network of key partners. Finally, this study revealed that the expansion of the partnership network can occur with investment in the food distribution process and that CSAs commit to reusing all food that is not distributed.
... The literature supports this finding, indicating that individuals who experience higher subjective well-being are more inclined towards prosocial behaviors, including altruism (Aknin et al., 2018). The positive affect and satisfaction associated with well-being may increase the likelihood of engaging in behaviors that benefit others, potentially due to an enhanced sense of connectedness to others and a broader perspective on social welfare (Post, 2005). Furthermore, self-efficacy emerged as a robust predictor of altruism, with a β = .263 ...
In an era where the emotional and psychological well-being of educators is increasingly spotlighted, understanding the determinants of altruistic behaviors among school teachers becomes paramount. This study investigates the interplay between empathy, well-being, self-efficacy, and their collective impact on fostering altruism within educational settings. Conducted with 322 teachers from the Klang Valley, Malaysia, this research employs utilizing quantitative surveys to gauge the extent of these psychological traits and their correlation with altruistic behavior. Using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index for empathy, the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale for well-being, and the Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale for self-efficacy, alongside Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses, the findings indicate that well-being and self-efficacy significantly predict altruistic behaviors in teachers. Although empathy alone did not directly correlate with altruism, its role in nurturing positive teacher-student relationships and a supportive classroom climate is acknowledged. This study underscores the importance of teacher well-being and self-efficacy in promoting altruism, suggesting that enhancing these aspects could lead to more empathetic and supportive educational environments. The implications of this research could guide teacher training, professional development, and educational policy towards nurturing more altruistic, compassionate educational landscapes.
... Engaging in altruistic behaviors and acts of kindness can enhance well-being and foster a sense of connection and purpose. Positive psychology examines how these actions contribute to personal and collective flourishing (Post, 2005). ...
The effects of positive psychology on enhancing educational work, particularly the work of special education teachers, are significant and multifaceted. Positive psychology focuses on enhancing well-being, happiness, and positive emotions, and its application in the educational context is crucial. This study aimed to examine how hope and optimism affect job satisfaction and teachers' relationships with special education students. The research involved 100 teachers working in educational units across Greece. A four-part questionnaire was constructed using the scales of job satisfaction, teachers' hope and optimism, and relationships with students. The results revealed that hope had a statistically significant positive correlation with satisfaction and student-teacher relationships. Also, results highlighted that hope and optimism significantly predict student-teacher relationships. The study results underscore the importance of fostering hope and optimism in special education settings to enhance educators' professional fulfillment and relational dynamics with students.
... Independent Variables. The 20-item Self-Report Altruism Scale (Rushton et al., 1981) was used to assess participants' altruistic tendencies (i.e., giving without regard for reward; Post, 2005). The scale measures how often participants have engaged in various altruistic actions (e.g., donating goods or clothes to a charity or giving money to a charity). ...
The postdisaster experiences of 167 social work students in the aftermath of the Great Flood of 2016 were examined. Using a cross-sectional survey design and validated self-report measures, the current study examined the association between students’ protective factors (hope, altruism, spiritual support; at 8, 20, and 12 items, respectively) and six adaptive coping mechanisms, and further sought to determine whether such associations varied according to students’ race (white vs. African American). Six hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses were conducted using each of the adaptive coping strategies (acceptance, active coping, positive reframing, self-distraction, planning, and venting). Results showed that students’ race moderated the associations between altruism and active coping, spiritual support and active coping, spiritual support and self-distraction, altruism and planning, spiritual support and planning, and altruism and venting. The decomposition of the significant interactions indicated that the effect of altruism on active coping, planning, and venting was greater among white than among African American participants; the effect of spiritual support on active coping, self-distraction, and planning was greater among African American than among white participants. Recommendations include educating all students about risks incurred when working with traumatized populations. Research examining postdisaster coping responses of social workers can inform culturally responsive supervision approaches.
... In modern world, where ethics are often violated, stoicism can be a valuable tool for finding moral guidance. It also emphasises the significance of continuous self-improvement and learning in modern world, where individual development and self-education are becoming increasingly important (Post, 2020). ...
The issues and principles of stoicism are in demand and relevant in the modern world because of their emphasis on controlling one’s own reactions to events, developing inner strength, and focusing on what is under one’s control. A detailed investigation of the topic of stoicism can not only help understand its application and influence in the modern world, but also put forward new ideas and methods for developing self-regulation strategies and increasing stress resistance, help to reveal new aspects of philosophy, psychology, and psychotherapy based on Stoic principles, which contributes to the improvement of mental health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the basic principles of stoicism, their impact on the quality of life and views of people in the modern period. The main part of the methodological approach in this study was a qualitative combination of philosophical methods, which helped to identify scientific data that could be used to conduct, investigate, and make a more detailed generalisation. The study found what role stoicism plays in human life, what influence it has and can have on people’s lives, psyche, thoughts, thinking, worldview, and inner state in the modern period, the specifics, types, and role it plays in people’s consciousness. The study analysed the approaches and provided a detailed investigation and description of the basic principles of stoicism. The study highlighted the findings and views on stoicism of various researchers who have made a significant contribution to the investigation of this subject. This study and its conclusions provide a framework that may be useful for specialists investigating the influence of stoicism in the modern world. The study may be useful for psychologists, students, philosophers, scientists, authors, and teachers
... As a higher-level prosocial behavior, altruism is significant for both individuals and society. For individuals, altruism is not only conducive to happiness, health, and longevity (Post, 2005), but also brings more interpersonal benefits, such as making individuals look more attractive and having more advantages in partner selection (Farrelly, 2013). In terms of society, Batson (1991) defined altruism as "a motivated state with the ultimate goal of increasing another's welfare, " and altruism has a positive impact on individuals, such as obtaining social rewards (Batson et al., 1988), promoting group trust, and establishing good cooperative relationships (Barclay, 2004). ...
Introduction
This study examined the underlying mechanism of the relationship between downward social comparison (DSC) and altruism through two conceptually important but rarely studied factors: belief in a just world (BJW) and general life satisfaction (GLS).
Methods
The study utilized a two-time-point design, spaced 2 months apart, with a sample of 1,764 college students from China. The study measured DSC, altruism, BJW, and GLS.
Results
The findings revealed a significant positive predictive effect of DSC on college students’ altruism and belief in a just world (BJW). Notably, GLS emerged as a multi-mediating factor in this relationship. The study also revealed that both subscales of BJW, namely personal belief in a just world (PBJW) and general belief in a just world (GBJW), played distinct roles in the mediation model. PBJW exhibited a stronger mediating effect, suggesting that DSC can foster individual altruism and BJW. Particularly, BJW was identified as enhancing GLS, subsequently promoting altruistic behavior.
Conclusion
This study contributes to the existing literature on social comparison by shedding light on the relationship between DSC, altruism, and the mediating role of belief in a just world and GLS. The findings underscore the potential for promoting altruistic behavior among college students through interventions targeting beliefs in a just world, especially at the personal level, and enhancing GLS.
... Fourth, studies have discovered that both physical-world altruistic behaviors [36][37][38] and IABs [5,13] have positive associations with mental health. Altruistic behaviors have been proposed to help individuals recognize their self-worth and experience active emotions, thereby improving their mental health [33]; however, individuals with ADHD have higher risks of comorbid depression [39] and suicidality [40] compared with those without ADHD. ...
This study examined the associations of an attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis, impulsivity, and perceived social support with Internet altruistic behaviors (IABs) in adolescents and the associations of IABs with depression, suicidality, and nonsuicidal self-injury in this group. In total, 176 adolescents aged between 11 and 18 years with ADHD and 173 adolescents without ADHD (matched with the ADHD group by sex and age) participated in this study. The adolescents rated their IABs on the Internet altruistic behavior scale, impulsivity on the Barratt impulsiveness scale version 11, and perceived family and peer support on the family and social relationship domains of the Taiwanese quality of life questionnaire for adolescents. The associations of ADHD, impulsivity, and social support with IABs and the associations of IABs with depression, suicidality, and nonsuicidal self-injury were examined through multivariable linear regression analysis. The present study found that more time spent on the Internet (p < 0.001), greater perceived peer support (p < 0.001), greater impulsiveness characterized by a lack of self-control and perseverance (p < 0.001), poorer ability to plan and look ahead (p < 0.001), and an ADHD diagnosis (p = 0.003) were significantly associated with a higher level of IABs. IABs were not significantly associated with severe depression, suicidality, or nonsuicidal self-injury (all p > 0.05). The results of this study indicated that multiple individual and social factors were associated with IABs in adolescents. IABs were not significantly associated with severe depression, suicidality, or nonsuicidal self-injury in adolescents.
... However, this does not rule out the intrinsic rewards such as the sense of pleasure, satisfaction, and the achievement of self-worth that individuals may experience from doing good deeds (Zheng, 2013). These behaviors not only foster positive psychological traits in adolescents (Zheng et al., 2018) but also bolster their subjective well-being and sense of purpose (Post, 2005). Thus, adolescent online prosocial behaviors benefit individuals, communities, and the society at large, contributing to social harmony and development (Lemmens et al., 2009). ...
As technology has been developing by leaps and bounds, concerns regarding adolescent online behavioral patterns have garnered significant attention. Nevertheless, current research exhibits limitations in both perspective and depth. Consequently, this study introduces a moderated mediation model to investigate whether the mediating effect of self-efficacy and the moderating effect of emotional regulation strategies are valid in the relationship between family communication patterns and adolescent online prosocial behavior. A questionnaire survey encompassing 1183 adolescents across 12 schools in three cities of mainland China was conducted. The findings reveal that conversation orientation contributes to the augmentation of adolescents’ self-efficacy and online prosocial behavior, whereas conformity orientation follows a reversed trend. Furthermore, self-efficacy serves as a mediator in the relationship between conversation orientation and conformity orientation, influencing adolescent online prosocial behavior in both positive and negative manners. Additionally, this study underscores the significance of emotion regulation strategies; cognitive reappraisal not only reinforces the positive effects of conversation orientation, but also mitigates the adverse effects of conformity orientation, while expressive suppression demonstrates the inverse effect. This research yields a comprehensive and insightful understanding of adolescent online prosocial behavior, furnishing a valuable theoretical foundation for future research and practice in family education.
... Anerkennung durch andere oder dem inneren Gefühl der Selbstwirksamkeit resultieren (Post, 2005 (Poulin et al., 2013). Forschungsergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass regelmäßiges Engagement in altruistischen Aktivitäten, wie ehrenamtliche Arbeit, mit einer erhöhten Lebensdauer assoziiert ist. ...
Dieses Buch widmet sich dem jahrtausendealten Mysterium des Altruismus, bei dem Menschen das Wohl anderer über ihre eigenen Interessen stellen. Es untersucht die Vielfalt dieses Phänomens, von kleinen Freundlichkeiten bis zu heroischen Taten, und erforscht seine Auswirkungen auf das tägliche Leben und die soziale Ordnung. Leser werden dazu ermutigt, aktiv über die Bedeutung von Altruismus nachzudenken und moralische Fragen zu diskutieren. Angesichts der zunehmenden Individualisierung der Gesellschaft bietet Altruismus einen Ansatzpunkt für Solidarität und Gemeinschaft. Die interdisziplinäre Herangehensweise trägt zur aktuellen Forschung bei, indem sie die Verbindung zwischen individuellen Motiven und gesellschaftlichen Strukturen beleuchtet und Altruismus als integralen Bestandteil der menschlichen Natur und als Schlüssel für die Zukunftsfähigkeit der Gesellschaften darstellt.
... Acts of kindness may be extraordinary but more often they are unremarkable and even banal (Ware and Ware 2022). Kindness can be beneficial for the wellbeing of the recipient and the actor (Curry et al. 2018;Post 2005). Recipients may experience kindness as dignifying (Gallagher 2012). ...
... For instance, Froh et al. (2010) found that school-based gratitude interventions led to increased subsequent prosocial behaviour among adolescents. Post (2005) suggested that when individuals engage in actions that positively affect others, they experience increased positive emotions, a sense of purpose and meaning, and improved social connections to others. Existing studies have established positive links between optimism, prosocial behaviour and life satisfaction (Froh et al., 2009). ...
Existing studies have revealed associations of positive psychological traits with human thriving and flourishing. However, how these traits co-occur—known as covitality—and how it relates to flourishing remain relatively unexplored. This study aimed to investigate how student covitality as a second-order construct of four school experience-grounded positive psychological traits, namely gratitude, optimism, zest and persistence, predicts flourishing among primary school students. Participants were fourth to sixth graders (N = 1,107, 36.2% Grade 4, 32.8% Grade 5, and 31.0% Grade 6; 50.4% female) from 34 primary schools in Hong Kong (7.1% Hong Kong Island, 36.4% Kowloon, and 56.5% New Territories). In this study, structural equation modelling showed that student covitality as a second-order construct predicted flourishing directly (β = .594), and also indirectly through resilience (β = .111) and prosocial behaviour (β = .062). The findings suggest that student covitality as a latent construct better captures the mechanisms that drive student flourishing than the four individual first-order constructs of positive psychological traits. This study sheds light on future efforts in the field of children’s flourishing to consider school-related covitality as a critical variable in research and to develop school-based strategies that promote covitality in practice.
... Examples of altruism include giving time (e.g., volunteering), holding the door open for a stranger, donating money, complimenting someone, caring for an ill friend/family member, comforting someone, and returning a lost item (Aknin et al. 2019). Altruistic behaviour is also strongly positively correlated to one's wellbeing, health, happiness, and longevity (Post 2005); however, literature on the relationship between altruism and IPV is scarce. It is possible that engagement in altruistic behaviour might provide positive health outcomes for women who have experienced IPV. ...
This study explored resilience and altruism in rural Ontario in the context of intimate partner violence (IPV). A total of 14 women who experienced IPV and 12 service providers participated in the study, which included two rounds of semi-structured interviews. Interview transcripts were organized using Quirkos qualitative analysis software and Thorne’s interpretive description guided analysis. Two themes and five subthemes emerged: (1) relational resilience (subthemes: importance of having a network of supportive women; and resilience in shared experiences); and (2) engagement in altruism (subthemes: meaning-making of abuse through helping behaviours; altruism towards women as a form of healing; and going into careers to help other women). It was evident through their interviews, that women believed relationships with other women, whether as the receiver or the giver of altruism, helped foster their resilience. As such, providing women with mentorship opportunities allows for meaning-making, which can bolster their resilience.
... Communal sharing and altruistic relations have been demonstrated to positively influence people's wellbeing within their group (Post, 2005). As mentioned in Section 4.1.1, ...
Investigating the optimal nature of social interactions among generic actors (e.g., people or firms), aiming to achieve specifically-agreed objectives, has been the subject of extensive academic research. Using the relational models theory-a seminal theoretical work comprehensively describing all social interactions among actors as combinations of only four forms of sociality: communal sharing, authority ranking, equality matching, and market pricing-the common approach within the literature revolves around qualitative assessments of the sociality models' configurations most effective in realizing predefined purposes, at times supplemented by empirical data. In this treatment, we formulate this question as a mathematical optimization problem, in order to quantitatively determine the best possible configurations of sociality forms between dyadic actors which would optimize their mutually-agreed objectives. For this purpose, we develop an analytical framework for quantifying the (meta)relational models theory, and mathematically demonstrate that combining the four sociality forms within a specific meaningful social interaction inevitably prompts an inherent tension among them, through a single elementary and universal metare-lation. In analogy with financial portfolio management, we subsequently introduce the concept of Social Relations Portfolio (SRP) management, and propose a generalizable procedural methodology capable of quantitatively identifying the efficient SRP for any objective involving meaningful social relations. As an important illustration, the methodology is applied to the Triple Bottom Line paradigm to derive its efficient SRP, guiding practitioners in precisely measuring, monitoring, reporting and (proactively) steering stakeholder management efforts regarding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) within and / or across organizations.
... During this period, adolescents who engage in more altruistic behaviors are better able to understand the feelings and experiences of others, cultivate empathy and compassion tendencies, and develop positive interpersonal relationships for better social adaptation (Leontopoulou, 2010). Additionally, the experience of successfully helping others can enhance adolescents' sense of self-worth, boost their self-confidence, and increase their subjective happiness (Post, 2005). As an extension of altruistic behavior in real life to cyberspace, Internet altruistic behavior not only represents a prosocial inclination to reach out to others but also holds significant importance for adolescents' adaptive development. ...
As a double-edged sword, the Internet is prone to breed cyber violence and bullying on the one hand, on the other hand, it can promote the expansion of altruistic behavior in cyberspace. Exploring the mechanism of generating Internet altruistic behaviors can help improve adolescents’ adaptive development and build a harmonious online environment. In light of this, this study constructed a hypothetical model of parental emotional warmth and adolescents’ Internet altruistic behaviors with gratitude trait as the mediating variable and belief in a just world as the moderating variable, in order to investigate how personal experiences, personality, and social cognition affect the practice of Internet altruistic behavior. A total of 1004 adolescents from two middle schools in China were selected for the survey. The results showed that parental emotional warmth significantly and positively affects adolescents’ Internet altruistic behaviors, while gratitude mediated this path between the two, with the mediating effect accounting for 27.07% and 24.27% of the total effect in the model of paternal and maternal emotional warmth, respectively. Moreover, in the paternal emotional warmth model, this indirect effect was moderated by belief in a just world, and the indirect effect was stronger for adolescents with lower beliefs in a just world relative to those with higher beliefs. Relative to paternal emotional warmth, belief in a just world was not significant in moderating the indirect effects of maternal emotional warmth on Internet altruistic behavior through gratitude. This research aims to provide more empirical research on the mechanisms of adolescents’ Internet altruistic behaviors and to provide more insights into the promotion of responsible and appropriate Internet use among adolescents.
... (Peres, 2007;Tedeschi& Calhoun, 1996) . (Borgonovi, 2008;Kalish, 2007;Langhout, 1994;Post, 2005) . (Ardelt, 1994;Collings, 2001;Fitzgerald, 2004) . ...
This study aims to discover the roll of wisdom, religiousness behavior, happiness, self-esteem, love of life and depression as predictors of the cumulative trauma disorder. In order to verify the hypotheses of study, a battery of questionnaires including the demographic questionnaire, The cumulative trauma disorder scale, The self-assessed wisdom scale (SAWS), religiousness behavior scale, Oxford happiness inventory, The Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSES), Love of life scale and Beck depression inventory have been used. After fulfilling the psychometric requirements of the battery, the data were collected from a sample (n=444) persons, there ages ranged from 22-55 years, with a mean of 30.07 (SD =9.45). The findings of the study were as follows: (1) There were statistically significant relationships between cumulative trauma disorder and all of religiousness behavior, happiness, self-esteem, love of life, depression. (2) These factors have the most effect on decreasing cumulative trauma disorder except wisdom. (3) All of these factors: age, vocational status, wisdom, religiousness behavior, happiness, self-esteem, love of life, depression are a significant predictor of cumulative trauma disorder.
Keywords: Wisdom, Religiousness Behavior, Happiness, Self-esteem, Love of life, Depression, The Cumulative Trauma Disorder
... The evidence for the benefits of compassion for the actor are undisputable and operate at the biological, interpersonal, and societal levels (see Post 2005). Compassion is seen as an important human strength that can be exercised and increased to overcome cultural divisions (see Zaki 2019). ...
... Thus, physical health can influence mental health, which, in turn, can impact subjective well-being. By fostering an overall improvement in the mental health of older individuals, negative emotions due to physical health problems can be reduced, thereby improving subjective well-being (50,51). The findings emphasize the importance of mental health among older adults, a finding that may have multiple implications at the individual, societal, and policy levels. ...
Objectives
This study aims to investigate the impact of health status and social support on the subjective well-being of older individuals.
Methods
Using data from the China General Social Survey 2017, this research analyzed 5,187 Chinese citizens aged 60 years and older. The predicted effect of each variable on subjective well-being was evaluated through hierarchical regression analysis. The direct and indirect effects of social support and health status on subjective well-being are examined based on a structural equation model.
Results
The mental health and social support positively impact subjective well-being. Mental health mediates the effect of physical health on subjective well-being, and social support mediates the relationship between physical and mental health and subjective well-being.
Conclusion
The findings provide strong evidence for the interrelationship mechanisms among the factors influencing subjective well-being. Consequently, improving mental health services and social support systems is advantageous for enhancing the well-being of Chinese seniors.
... Post Stephen (2005), in his article entitled, "Altruism, Happiness, and Health: It's good to be good" in the International Journal of Behavioural Medicine, concludes that A strong correlation exists between the well-being, happiness, health, and longevity of people who are emotionally kind and compassionate in their charitable helping activities-as long as they are not overwhelmed, and here world view may come into play. Of course, this is a population generalisation that provides no guarantees for the individual. ...
This book brings together science, research, and a blend of
indigenous and contemporary wisdom traditions to guide teachers in
their own self-transformation journey with practices to reduce anxiety and stress so that they become healthier and whole as they tend to the cognitive, physical, and socio-emotional needs of their students.This unique teacher education program is an offering that we hope will guide teachers through the process of their own journey of self-transformation and provide tools to enhance their curriculum and deepen their relationships with their students, which we believe will not only serve as a powerful influence in the classroom, but has the potential to contribute to the transformation of society as a whole.
... They also demonstrate markedly reduced engagement in prosocial behaviour, or behaviours that voluntarily help others, relative to typically developing (TD) peers (Memmott-Elison, Holmgren, Padilla-Walker, & Hawkins, 2020). This is important, as engagement in prosocial behaviour is considered essential for human social and moral development, as well as both physical and mental wellbeing (Markiewicz, Doyle, & Brendgen, 2001;Post, 2005). However, prosocial and antisocial behaviour are not two ends of a single behavioural continuum and there is evidence for heterogeneity in prosocial behaviours among adolescents with CP (Hawley, 2003;Kokko, Tremblay, Lacourse, Nagin, & Vitaro, 2006). ...
Background
Prosocial behaviours – acts that benefit others – are of crucial importance for many species including humans. However, adolescents with conduct problems (CP), unlike their typically developing (TD) peers, demonstrate markedly reduced engagement in prosocial behaviours. This pattern is particularly pronounced in adolescents with CP and high levels of callous‐unemotional traits (CP/HCU) who are at increased risk of developing psychopathy in adulthood. While a substantial amount of research has investigated the cognitive‐affective mechanisms thought to underlie antisocial behaviour, much less is known about the mechanisms that could explain reduced prosocial behaviours in adolescents with CP.
Methods
Here we examined the willingness to exert effort to benefit oneself (self) and another person (other, prosocial condition) in children with CP/HCU, CP and lower levels of CU traits (CP/LCU) and their TD peers. The task captured both prosocial choices, and actual effort exerted following prosocial choices, in adolescent boys aged 11–16 (27 CP/HCU; 34 CP/LCU; 33 TD). We used computational modelling to reveal the mechanistic processes involved when choosing prosocial acts.
Results
We found that both CP/HCU and CP/LCU groups were more averse to initiating effortful prosocial acts than TD adolescents – both at a cognitive and at a behavioural level. Strikingly, even if they chose to initiate a prosocial act, the CP/HCU group exerted less effort following this prosocial choice than other groups.
Conclusions
Our findings indicate that reduced exertion of effort to benefit others may be an important factor that differentiates adolescents with CP/HCU from their peers with CP/LCU. They offer new insights into what might drive low prosocial behaviour in adolescents with CP, including vulnerabilities that may particularly characterise those with high levels of CU traits.
Numerous studies have been conducted on organic farming motives, however, less focus has been directed to warm-glow motives—the novelty of this study. This study aims to elaborate on the impact of the warm glow in addition to economic, environmental, and health motives on farmers’ satisfaction in practicing organic farming. This study was conducted in Sleman Regency of Yogyakarta Province as well as Magelang and Semarang Regencies of Central Java Province, Indonesia. By using a structured questionnaire, 259 certified organic farmers were interviewed. A 5-point Likert scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree was employed. A structural equation model (SEM) was utilized to analyze the relationship between the four motives and their influences on farmers’ satisfaction in practicing organic farming. The results revealed that warm-glow motives demonstrated a significant positive effect on the satisfaction of farmers in practicing organic farming concurrently with economic, health, and environmental motives. The significant effect of warm-glow motives has provided a new perspective in understanding their role in organic farming. The study discovered that warm-glow motives corresponded to the noble values of local society and were suitable for developing the organic farming system. The study also disclosed that by encouraging warm-glow motives, farmers could enhance their satisfaction by achieving their goals in economic, health, and environmental aspects. In other words, improving farmers’ satisfaction in organic farming by reinforcing their warm-glow motives was crucial.
Gönüllülük ve Afetlerde Gönüllülük Ömer DEMİRBİLEK Türkiye’de Afetlerde Gönüllük ve Tarihçesi Enes ARSLAN Uluslararası Alanda Afetlerde Gönüllülük ve Tarihçesi Kemal BAŞ BÖLÜM 4 Afetlerde Gönüllülük Türleri Ömer DEMİRBİLEK Afetlerde Gönüllülüğün Gerekliliği ve Önemi Salih DOĞRU Afetlerde Gönüllülük Mevzuatı Mehmet Metehan ÇETİNTAŞ Afet Gönüllülüğüne Katılım ve Motivasyon Şeyhmus AKSOY Ulusal Düzeyde Afet Gönüllülüğü: Kurumlar ve Uygulamalar Emrah GÖKKAYA Uluslararası Düzeyde Afet Gönüllülüğü: Kurumlar ve Uygulamalar Emrah GÖKKAYA Afetlerde Arama Kurtarma Gönüllülüğü: Saha Deneyimleri Musab Süleyman KÖÇER İbrahim Mete KAPLAN Afetlerde Gönüllü Yönetimi Jale YAZGAN Afad ve Sivil Toplum Kuruluşlarının Gönüllülük Uygulamalarının Değerlendirilmesi ve Literatür Kapsamında Model Önerisi Salih DOĞRU Türkiye’deki Son 15 Yıllık Afet Gönüllülüğü Araştırmaları: Sistematik Bir Literatür İncelemesi Musab Süleyman KÖÇER
Humanitarian agencies aid millions of people in need, and global mental health (GMH) professionals play an increasingly important role in supporting and advancing the humanitarian agenda.
When responding to humanitarian crises, mental health (MH) providers join a larger system of multidisciplinary humanitarian action united by a common goal of saving lives and alleviating suffering. In contrast to individual and spontaneous acts of kindness, humanitarian work is an organized and coordinated helping activity that brings together international and local organizations and actors.
The chapter offers insight into the evolutionary, spiritual, and cultural roots of helping behavior. It orients MH professionals to the history, theory, and practice of humanitarianism, as well as the contemporary trends and challenges that humanitarian action faces.
Over the past several decades, the humanitarian sector has grown, diversified, and become an industry striding toward improving the effectiveness of aid delivery, and increasing professionalization and accountability. Concerns over the well-being of aid workers, controversies surrounding military humanitarians, and the politicization and misuse of humanitarian aid demonstrate the complexity of the changing humanitarian landscape.
Amid reports of unethical practices committed by international aid workers, the international humanitarian community developed regulations and asserted commitment to humanitarian principles, professional integrity, and ethical standards.
The biggest management dilemma of rural libraries stems from the shortage of librarians. This study draws upon the case analysis of Qiluo Library in China to investigate the volunteering motivation of the elderly as well as the feasibility of the model of a rural library run entirely by elderly volunteers. Through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, it was found that the elderly had four types of motivation for volunteering at rural libraries: endogenous egoism, exogenous egoism, endogenous altruism, and exogenous altruism. Connecting motivation with rural libraries’ dilemma of personnel shortages is of great significance. Despite some challenges, the Qiluo model of library operations provides an innovative and effective way of managing rural libraries in the context of librarian shortages and an aging population, especially in areas with low elderly mobility and less-developed economies. The construction of a motivational framework of elderly volunteers also provides new ideas for addressing the library dilemma.
It has been suggested that having a reputation for being prosocial is a critical part of social status across all human societies. It has also been argued that prosocial behavior confers benefits, whether physiological, such as stress reduction, or social, such as building allies or becoming more popular. Here, we investigate the relationship between helping reputation (being named as someone others would go to for help), and hair-derived chronic stress (hair cortisol concentration). In a sample of 77 women and 62 men, we found that perceived helping reputation was not related to chronic stress. Overall, the results of our study suggest that, in an egalitarian society with fluid camp membership and widely practiced generosity such as the Hadza, helping reputation does not necessarily boost stress-related health benefits through prestige-signaling mechanisms observed in hierarchical, large-scale societies.
Emotions can influence online teaching and learning, according to existing studies. PERMA theory enjoys great fame in both positive psychology field and English foreign language context since it was proposed by Seligman, which includes five domains, namely positive emotions, engagement, relationship, meaning, and achievement. Although there is a wealth of knowledge about the impact of positive emotion on teaching and learning, there is little research on the PERMA model within positive psychology and online EFL teaching and learning, particularly examining the specific framework that can effectively guide online teaching and learning. In this article, based on the community of inquiry theoretical framework, we provide empirical evidence that emotional presence (PERMA) may exist as an essential and distinct part of online critical inquiry. Results also supported PERMA mediated the linear relationship between social presence and cognitive presence; also, mediated the linear relationship between teaching presence and cognitive presence. The current research provides evidence for the association between the PERMA model in positive psychology and online critical inquiry; as well as contributes to uncovering the underlying mechanisms of the relationship between the PERMA model and community of inquiry theoretical framework.
This chapter is anchored in a multidisciplinary paradigm (POZE) which describes and analyzes individual human behavior as well as social interaction. The POZE paradigm is used in two converging lines of thought. First, to analyze the components that distinguish equitable human settlements. At the level of individual behavior, the aspirational, emotional, intellectual, and social aspects of equitable cohabitation will be looked at. Complementarily, we look at the interplays among micro (individual), meso (community/institution), macro (country), and meta levels. Secondly, that multidimensional perspective is used to explore how certain applications of artificial intelligence (AI) can serve to design policy solutions that are conducive to quality of life in the urban space. Both streams of attention are pursued in view of identifying factors that serve the optimization, or a dynamic of constant improvements, of quality of life in a setting of equitable cohabitation. Based on the understanding that the individual quest for meaning and cooperation is the trigger to move from inequality to inclusion, it will be argued that human choices can transform the urban space from inequitable to fair. Without being a chapter about technology, this text looks at the potential of leveraging AI for enhanced quality of life. In short, we argue that individual aspirations (IA) and artificial intelligence (AI) can be consciously curated as a symbiosis that leads to inspired action.
The worsening climate conditions in Indonesia has pushed numerous companies to transform themselves to become a green company that aims to preserve the environment through their daily operations. Through Social Exchange Theory, employee green behavior is found to increase employee self-satisfaction, which in turn will enhance their well-being. This research is done to examine the relationship between employee green behavior (EGB) and employee well-being (EWB) among one of green company employees. This quantitative, non-experimental research involved 104 employees from one of the green company. This research utilized the Employee Green Behavior questionnaire developed based on The Green Five Taxonomy to measure EGB, as well as the Employee Well-Being questionnaire to measure EWB. Both are self-report questionnaires. The results of this research indicate a significant positive relationship between employee green behavior (p=0.01, r=0.300) and employee well-being among employees. Additionally, the study also reveals significant differences in employee green behavior and employee well-being between gender groups. This suggests the need for more comprehensive research to further two related variables.Kondisi iklim yang kian memburuk telah direspon oleh berbagai macam perusahaan di Indonesia sebagai suatu panggilan untuk melakukan perubahan, yaitu dengan bertransformasi menjadi sebuah green company yang memang bertujuan melestarikan lingkungan melalui aktivitas operasionalnya sehari-hari. Melalui teori pertukaran sosial, perilaku ramah lingkungan ditemukan dapat meningkatkan kesejahteraan karyawan tersebut. Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan tujuan mengetahui hubungan antara employee green behavior (EGB) dan employee well-being (EWB) pada karyawan. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode penelitian kuantitatif non-eksperimental dan melibatkan 104 salah satu perusahaan yang mengusung green company. Peneliti menggunakan alat ukur Employee Green Behavior yang dikembangkan berdasarkan The Green Five Taxonomy untuk mengukur EGB, serta alat ukur Employee Well-Being untuk mengukur EWB. Kedua penelitian bersifat self-report questionnaire. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan adanya hubungan positif yang signifikan antara EGB (p=0,01, r=0,300) dengan EWB pada karyawan. Penelitian ini juga menunjukkan adanya perbedaan EGB dan EWB yang signifikan antara kelompok jenis kelamin. Artinya, dibutuhkan adanya penelitian lebih komprehensif untuk melihat lebih dalam kedua variabel ini.
Postmaterial spiritual psychology posits that consciousness can contribute to the unfolding of material events and that the human brain can detect broad, non-material communications. In this regard, this emerging field of postmaterial psychology marks a stark departure from psychology's traditional quantum measurements and tenets. The Oxford Handbook of Psychology and Spirituality codifies the leading empirical evidence in the support and application of postmaterial psychological science. Sections in this volume include: personality and social psychology factors and implications; spiritual development and culture; spiritual dialogue, prayer, and intention in Western mental health; Eastern traditions and psychology; physical health and spirituality; positive psychology; and scientific advances and applications related to spiritual psychology. With articles from leading scholars in psychology, medicine, physics, and biology, this text is an interdisciplinary reference for a rapidly emerging approach to contemporary science.
A ideia de habilidade social se origina do interacionismo simbólico e é definida como a habilidade de induzir a cooperação dos outros, a atitude do indivíduo deve permitir sua inclusão ao meio, e seu desenvolvimento como um adulto confiante e seguro com maiores probabilidades de uma boa saúde mental. Para Caballo (1996), “o comportamento socialmente habilidoso é o conjunto de comportamentos emitidos por um indivíduo em uma situação interpessoal que expressa seus sentimentos, atitudes, desejos, opiniões ou seus direitos, de um modo adequado ao contexto em que estiver inserido, respeitando o direito do outro e resolvendo e minimizando problemas ou a probabilidade futura dos mesmos”. A solidariedade é uma habilidade social que envolve a capacidade de se preocupar com os outros, demonstrar empatia, agir em prol do bem-estar coletivo e oferecer suporte emocional e prático aos que necessitam. A etiologia da solidariedade é multifatorial, envolvendo fatores biológicos, psicológicos e sociais. A nível biológico, estudos têm sugerido que a solidariedade pode estar relacionada à liberação de hormônios como a oxitocina, que estão associados a vínculos sociais e comportamentos altruístas. A nível psicológico, a solidariedade é influenciada pelo desenvolvimento de habilidades socio emocionais, como a empatia e a capacidade de tomar perspetiva do outro. A nível social, a origem da solidariedade está intrinsecamente relacionada à evolução da sociedade humana e à necessidade de cooperação e apoio mútuo para a sobrevivência e o bem-estar do grupo. A bíblia traz alguns versículos que explicam o que seria a solidariedade, um dos versos mais conhecidos se encontra em Mateus 25,40 - “Em verdade vos afirmo que, sempre que o fizestes a um destes meus pequeninos irmãos, a mim o fizestes.” Nessa perspetiva a solidariedade pode ser entendida como aquela que nada mais é do que a condição de quem carrega uma responsabilidade recíproca para com o outro. Jesus deixa isso claro ao mostrar que aquilo feito para com os seus filhos seria recebido como para Ele mesmo. Visto o que foi apresentado é evidente que é necessário estar de olhos e coração abertos para com o próximo pois é isso que desperta a solidariedade em nosso caráter, assim como os exemplos apresentados por Jesus, seguir seu caminho e seus ensinamentos é o melhor a se fazer. Ajudar a quem precisa deixando de lado preconceitos e visões distorcidas para com o outro, não só com palavras, mas com atitudes visando sempre o que de fato é real e nos preparando para uma nova vida no céu com Ele.
Publikacja została przygotowana z myślą o osobach zaangażowanych w wychowanie i edukację młodzieży. Problematyka monografii zatytułowanej Współczesne przestrzenie aktywności młodzieży wpisuje się w toczący się na gruncie pedagogiki młodzieży dyskurs dotyczący znaczenia aktywności młodzieży we współczesnym krajobrazie wychowawczo-edukacyjnym, rodzinnym, rówieśniczym i społecznym. Autorzy wyrażają przekonanie i nadzieję, że lektura niniejszej monografii stanie się dla czytelnika użyteczną zachętą i inspiracją dla podjęcia dalszych eksploracji, badań i analiz podjętego przez nich tematu.
This study examines the influence of work-life balance on the job satisfaction and overall well
being of teachers in the basic education department. A mixed-methods approach was employed, involving
surveys and qualitative interviews. The quantitative analysis revealed a significant correlation between
perceived work-life balance and teacher job satisfaction. Teachers who reported a better balance between
their professional responsibilities and personal life displayed higher levels of job satisfaction. The
qualitative data further illuminated the strategies and challenges faced by teachers in achieving work-life
balance. Key findings include the importance of supportive relationships with colleagues, administrators,
and parents in enhancing work-life balance. Teachers who felt valued and recognized for their efforts
reported better work-life balance and overall well-being. Effective time management and setting
boundaries between work and personal life were identified as essential strategies. The study highlights the
need for educational institutions and policymakers to prioritize work-life balance for teachers.
Implementing flexible policies, providing resources for effective time management, and fostering a
supportive work culture are recommended to improve teacher job satisfaction and well-being. These
findings contribute valuable insights to the field of education and offer practical recommendations for
creating an environment where teachers can thrive both professionally and personally, ultimately
benefiting the entire education system.
Handwritten autobiographies from 180 Catholic nuns, composed when participants were a mean age of 22 years, were scored for emotional content and related to survival during ages 75 to 95. A strong inverse association was found between positive emotional content in these writings and risk of mortality in late life (p < .001). As the quartile ranking of positive emotion in early life increased, there was a stepwise decrease in risk of mortality resulting in a 2.5-fold difference between the lowest and highest quartiles. Positive emotional content in early-life autobiographies was strongly associated with longevity 6 decades later. Underlying mechanisms of balanced emotional states are discussed.
The hypothesis of group selection fell victim to a seemingly devastating critique in 1960s evolutionary biology. In Unto Others (1998), we argue to the contrary, that group selection is a conceptually coherent and empirically well documented cause of evolution. We suggest, in addition, that it has been especially important in human evolution. In the second part of Unto Others, we consider the issue of psychological egoism and altruism - do human beings have ultimate motives concerning the well-being of others? We argue that previous psychological and philosophical work on this question has been inconclusive. We propose an evolutionary argument for the claim that human beings have altruistic ultimate motives.
Emphasizes the subjective experience of the person attempting to express compassionate love through a discussion of empirical research. It is concluded that one goal of research on compassionate love is ultimately to give additional insight into how compassionate love might be fostered in individuals and societies. It is argued that in order to do this well, it is important to understand the key features of compassionate love, the substrate of conditions that influence the expression, and the motives that detract from the quality of loving compassion. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)(chapter)
Infant monkeys were reared with the aid of a laboratory constructed mother-substitute. "We produced a perfectly proportioned streamlined body stripped of unnecessary bulges and appendices. Redundancy in the surrogate mother's system was avoided by reducing the number of breasts from two to one and placing this unibreast in an upper-thoracic, sagittal position, thus maximizing the natural and known perceptual-motor capabilities of the infant operator. The surrogate was made from a block of wood, covered with sponge rubber, and sheathed in tan cotton terry cloth. A light bulb behind her radiated heat. The result was a mother, soft, warm, and tender, a mother with infinite patience, a mother available twenty-four hours a day, a mother that never scolded her infant and never struck or bit her baby in anger." The data obtained "make it obvious that contact comfort is a variable of overwhelming importance in the development of affectional responses, whereas lactation is a variable of negligible importance." It is suggested that the primary function of nursing "is that of insuring frequent and intimate body contact of infant with mother." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Previous work by the authors and colleagues (1984) extended J. A. Lee's (1973/1976) theory of 6 basic love styles: eros (passionate love); ludus (game-playing love); storge (friendship love); pragma (logical, "shopping list" love); mania (possessive, dependent love); and agape (all-giving, selfless love). In Study 1, 807 undergraduates completed a 42-item rating questionnaire, with 7 items measuring each of the love styles. Six love style scales emerged clearly from factor analysis. Internal reliability was shown for each scale, and the scales had low intercorrelations with each other. Significant relationships were found between love attitudes and several background variables, including gender, ethnicity, previous love experiences, current love status, and self-esteem. Study 2, with 567 Ss, replicated the factor structure, factor loadings, and reliability analyses of the 1st study. The significant relationships between love attitudes and gender, previous love experiences, current love status, and self-esteem were also consistent with the results of Study 1. (30 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Older residents (N 5 1972) in California were investigated prospectively for association of volunteering service to others and all-cause mortality. Potential confounding factors were studied: demographics, health status, physical functioning, health habits, social support, religious involvement, and emotional states. Possible interaction effects of volunteering with religious involvement and social support were also explored. Results showed that 31 percent (n 5 630) of respondents volunteered, about half (n5289) for more than one organization. High volunteers ([.greaterequal]2 organizations) had 63 percent lower mortality than nonvolunteers (age and sex-adjusted) with relative hazard (RH) 5 0.37, confidence interval (CI) 5 0.24, 0.58. Multivariate adjustment moderately reduced difference to 44 percent (RH 5 0.56, CI 5 0.35, 0.89), mostly due to physical functioning, health habits, and social support. Unexpectedly, volunteering was slightly more protective for those with high religious involvement and perceived social support. After multivariate adjustment, any level of volunteering reduced mortality by 60 percent among weekly attenders at religious services (RH 5 0.40; CI 5 0.21,0.74). Lower mortality rates for community service volunteers were only partly explained by health habits, physical functioning, religious attendance, and social support.
Many advances in medical technology have brought with them ethical dilemmas for which our society and philosophy provide no satisfactory answers. However, these dilemmas ought not to completely obscure the positive social impacts of technical advances. Since the development of safe blood transfusions, medical treatments have come into common use that require products only obtainable from human bodies. Writing about the donation of blood, Richard Titmuss and others have examined why people give this lifesaving gift to strangers and what are the circumstances contributing to or impeding such gift giving. Today, scholars are examining how the donation of human organs also may establish the Titmuss called 'the gift relationship' in contemporary society. However, no large-scale systematic research into the characteristics and motivations of families of organ donors has yet been done. This article begins to address these issues.
A conceptual framework that identifies psychological and behavioral features associated with antecedents, experiences, and consequences of volunteerism is presented, and an inventory that measures 5 specific motivations for AIDS volunteerism is developed and cross-validated. Then a field study of 116 AIDS volunteers is presented in which a helping disposition, volunteer motivations, and social support (as antecedents), and personal satisfaction and organizational integration (as experiences) are used to predict duration of service over 2 1/2 years. Structural equation analyses indicate that dispositional helping influences satisfaction and integration but not duration of service, whereas greater motivation and less social support predict longer active volunteer service. The model is generalized to the prediction of perceived attitude change. Implications for conceptualizations of motivation, theoretical issues in helping, and practical concerns of volunteer organizations are discussed.
A wide variety of ambitions and measures to slow, stop, and reverse phenomena associated with ageing have been part of human culture since early civilization. From alchemy to cell injections to dietary supplements, the list of techniques aimed at altering the processes of ageing continues to expand. Charlatans, quacks and entrepreneurs proffering anti-ageing products and practices have always exploited uniformed customers and instilled doubt and apprehension toward practices intended to extend life. Recently, however, the pursuit of longevity has developed into a respectable scientific activity. Many biologists are substantially funded by the government and the private sector to conduct research that they believe will lead to effective anti-ageing interventions. While many embrace this quest for “prolongevity” - extended youth and long life - others fear its consequences. If effective anti-ageing interventions were achieved, they would likely bring about profound alterations in the experiences of individual and collective life. What if ageing could be decelerated to the extent that both average life expectancy and maximum life span would increase by forty percent? What if all humans could live to be centenarians, free of the chronic diseases and disabilities now commonly associated with old age? What if modern scientists could find the modern equivalent to the Fountain of Youth that Ponce de León sought? This book addresses these questions by exploring the ramifications of possible anti-ageing interventions on both individual and collective life. Through a series of essays, it examines the biomedical goal of prolongevity from cultural, scientific, religious and ethical perspectives, offering a sweeping view into the future of ageing.
From the mass weddings of Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church to the ritual suicides at Heaven’s Gate, charismatic cults and their devotees have become facts of American life. Using material gleaned from twenty-five years of direct encounters with cults and their detractors, as well as extensive research, Marc Galanter offers the most extensive psychological analysis of these organizations available. Cults explores not only how members feel and think at all stages of their involvement, but also how larger social and psychological forces reinforce individual commitment within the cults. For this revised and newly-illustrated second edition, Galanter has added three new chapters on cult development in the 1990s, spiritual recovery movements, and alternative medicine.
This chapter examines some of the literature demonstrating an impact of affect on social behavior. It will consider the influence of affect on cognition in an attempt to further understand on the way cognitive processes may mediate the effect of feelings on social behavior. The chapter describes the recent works suggesting an influence of positive affect on flexibility in cognitive organization (that is, in the perceived relatedness of ideas) and the implications of this effect for social interaction. The goal of this research is to expand the understanding of social behavior and the factors, such as affect, that influence interaction among people. Another has been to extend the knowledge of affect, both as one of these determinants of social behavior and in its own right. And a third has been to increase the understanding of cognitive processes, especially as they play a role in social interaction. Most recently, cognitive and social psychologists have investigated ways in which affective factors may participate in cognitive processes (not just interrupt them) and have begun to include affect as a factor in more comprehensive models of cognition. The research described in the chapter has focused primarily on feelings rather than intense emotion, because feelings are probably the most frequent affective experiences. The chapter focuses primarily on positive affect.
The major independent role played by anxiety and severe psychosocial problems (especially family ones) is demonstrated by this multivariate analysis of a five year prospective study of the development of new angina pectoris among almost 10,000 adult men (average annual incidence = ).
Love is analyzed as an element of social action and therefore of social structure. Although the romantic complex is rare, a "love pattern" is found in a wide range of societies. Since love is potentially disruptive of lineages and class strata, it must be controlled. Since its meaning is different within different social structures, it is controlled by various measures. The five principal types of "love control" are described. Disruptions are more important to the upper social strata who possess the means for control. Therefore these strata achieve a higher degree of control over both the occurrence of love relationships and the influence of love upon action.
A virtue is defined as any psychological process that enables a person to think and act so as to benefit both him- or herself and society. Character is a higher-order construct reflecting the possession of several of the component virtues. The process by which the topics of virtue and character fell out of favor in psychology is reviewed, with a call for a rebirth of interest in these concepts in the interface of clinical, counseling, social, and personality psychology.
Existing research and writing on the topic of love is explored in order to encourage study of the epidemiology of love. Theoretical work in the psychology of love is reviewed, followed by a profile of measurement instruments developed to assess love. Next, existing empirical findings linking love-related constructs to health and healing are summarized. Finally, an outline is provided of pertinent questions in the epidemiology of love. The possibility is raised that love may not be just a host factor, similar to other psychosocial constructs, but also an agent of salutogenesis.
Panel data from a sample of 313 women who were wives and mothers in 1956 and were interviewed both in 1956 and in 1986 are used to consider the pathways that lead to health and social integration. Possible relationships were explored between the number, duration, timing, and episodes of various nonfamily roles throughout adulthood and subsequent health and multiple-role occupancy. It was found that occupying multiple roles in 1956, participating in volunteer work on an intermittent basis, and belonging to a club or organization were positively related to various measures of health and that occupying multiple roles in 1956, as well as doing volunteer work, was positively related to occupying multiple roles in 1986.
One-hundred and thirty-two college students were exposed in small groups to two films which contrasted in the extent to which they aroused either power or affiliation motivation. In previous studies high power motivation, if it is inhibited, has been associated with lower levels of salivary immunoglobulin A (S-Ig A), and high affiliation motivation, if it is not inhibited, is associated with higher concentrations of S-Ig A. The film which aroused power motivation more was not followed by a decrease in S-Ig A concentrations as predicted, but the film was followed by a significant reduction in S-Ig A concentrations for those individuals with the inhibited power motive syndrome at baseline as compared to individuals characterized by other motive syndromes. The film which aroused affiliation motivation more was followed by an increase in S-Ig A concentrations immediately afterwards, and this increase was sustained an hour later when subjects continued to dwell on the loving relationships that characterized the film. Subjects characterized by the relaxed affiliative syndrome at baseline showed greater gains in S-Ig A in response to the film which aroused affiliative concerns. Although higher S-Ig A levels at baseline are associated with reports of less severe illness in the past among males, neither males nor females who showed consistent gains in S-Ig A after the affiliative film reported less severe illness in the past.
This exploratory within-subjects study compared the effects of elder retired volunteers giving massage to infants with receiving massage themselves. Three times a week for 3 weeks, 10 elder volunteers (8 females, mean age = 70 years) received Swedish massage sessions. For another 3 weeks, three times per week, the same elderly volunteers massaged infants at a nursery school. Receiving massage first versus giving massage first was counterbalanced across subjects. Immediately after the first- and last-day sessions of giving massages, the elder retired volunteers had less anxiety and depression and lower stress hormones (salivary cortisol) levels. Over the 3-week period, depression and catecholamines (norepinephrine and epinephrine) decreased and lifestyle and health improved. These effects were not as strong for the 3-week period when they received massage, possibly because the elder retired volunteers initially felt awkward about being massaged and because they derived more satisfaction massaging the infants.
Ethological attachment theory is a landmark of 20th century social and behavioral sciences theory and research. This new paradigm for understanding primary relationships across the lifespan evolved from John Bowlby's critique of psychoanalytic drive theory and his own clinical observations, supplemented by his knowledge of fields as diverse as primate ethology, control systems theory, and cognitive psychology. By the time he had written the first volume of his classic Attachment and Loss trilogy, Mary D. Salter Ainsworth's naturalistic observations in Uganda and Baltimore, and her theoretical and descriptive insights about maternal care and the secure base phenomenon had become integral to attachment theory. Patterns of Attachment reports the methods and key results of Ainsworth's landmark Baltimore Longitudinal Study. Following upon her naturalistic home observations in Uganda, the Baltimore project yielded a wealth of enduring, benchmark results on the nature of the child's tie to its primary caregiver and the importance of early experience. It also addressed a wide range of conceptual and methodological issues common to many developmental and longitudinal projects, especially issues of age appropriate assessment, quantifying behavior, and comprehending individual differences. In addition, Ainsworth and her students broke new ground, clarifying and defining new concepts, demonstrating the value of the ethological methods and insights about behavior. Today, as we enter the fourth generation of attachment study, we have a rich and growing catalogue of behavioral and narrative approaches to measuring attachment from infancy to adulthood. Each of them has roots in the Strange Situation and the secure base concept presented in Patterns of Attachment. It inclusion in the Psychology Press Classic Editions series reflects Patterns of Attachment's continuing significance and insures its availability to new generations of students, researchers, and clinicians.
The importance of participation in voluntary formal associations for enhancing health is supported by four kinds of evidence. (1) Seven prospective studies of social relations and mortality show the independent effect of formal social participation, net of informal ties. (2) Conceptual analysis demonstrates that voluntary formal associations constitute a separate class of social causation. (3) Our factor analysis of data from a sample of 629 nonmetropolitan elderly identified two types of formal social participation: 'instrumental,' as in associations that are community oriented, and 'expressive,' as in those that exist for the benefit of the members. (4) Regression analysis showed that the instrumental participation factor is linked, net of controls, to the perceived health of both men and women, whereas the expressive factor predicts for women only.
ack in the 1930s some young Catholic nuns were asked to write short, personal essays about their lives. They described edifying events in their childhood, the schools they attended, their religious experiences and the in- fluences that led them to the convent. Although the essays may have been initially used to assess each nun's ca- reer path, the documents were eventu- ally archived and largely forgotten. More than 60 years later the nuns' writ- ings surfaced again when three psy- chologists at the University of Ken- tucky reviewed the essays as part of a larger study on aging and Alzheimer's disease. Deborah Danner, David Snow- don and Wallace Friesen read the nun's biographical sketches and scored them for positive emotional content, record- ing instances of happiness, interest, love and hope. What they found was remarkable: The nuns who expressed the most positive emotions lived up to 10 years longer than those who ex- pressed the fewest. This gain in life ex- pectancy is considerably larger than the gain achieved by those who quit smoking.
Loving is a fundamental aspect of being human. Freud himself argued that the inability to love leads to illness, and some empirical research appears to support his view. Yet our knowledge of the nature of love remains primitive, because until recently it was not considered scientifically respectable to investigate love phenomena. This study used confirmatory factor analytic methods to test the fit of various models to data provided by 499 subjects on the 1990 version of the Hendrick and Hendrick Love Attitudes Scale. The results suggest that counselors and researchers should not treat the love styles delineated by Lee as discrete or uncorrelated entities. The results also suggest that the traditional model regarding this measure, positing (a) six factors (b) that are uncorrelated, may not provide a very good fit to data from the Love Attitudes Scale.
Longevity and health are determined by a diverse--and surprising--set of factors.
Emotional Longevity explores them all, providing nothing less than a new definition of what it means to be healthy. Drawing on the findings of the most important scientific studies, leading behavioral scientist Dr. Norman Anderson, along with his coauthor and spouse, health journalist P. Elizabeth Anderson, identifies the combination of links between biology and social environment, beliefs, and emotions that influence our vulnerability to everything from the common cold to heart disease, high blood pressure, and the speed of recovery from illness. These include: your expectations about the future, how you explain events that happened in your past, your friendships and social ties, your education and income, traumatic experiences that you never disclosed to anyone, and your ability to find meaning following adversity. Through the stories of many prominent figures, including Maya Angelou, Reynolds Price, and Linda Ellerbee, the authors underscore the reality of these scientific findings, and Dr. Anderson's conclusions show us how to enhance the quality of our lives. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Objectives. To assess health habits, and their relationship with psychological wellbeing, among Australian women; in particular to examine the relationship between health habits and the Women's Health Questionnaire (WHQ; Hunter, 1992). Design. A cross-sectional postal survey of women in three age groups was carried out. Methods. Questionnaire responses from a representative sample of 612 women from three age groups (18-23, 45-50 and 70-75) were analysed. Data included the WHQ, 12-item General Health Questionnaire, Medical Outcomes Study SF-12 and self-reports of smoking, height and weight, alcohol use and exercise status. Results. Young women had the highest rates of smoking and drinking and were most likely to be underweight, while middle-aged and older women were most likely to be overweight or obese. Psychological distress was highest in the youngest group; the middle-aged group were most likely to report vasomotor symptoms and difficulties with memory and concentration; and the older women difficulty in sleeping. Health habits were related to psychological well-being; smoking, unhealthy body weight and lack of exercise were most closely related to the depression subscale of the WHQ. Conclusions. Young adulthood appears the time of greatest distress for women. Distress, particularly depression, is associated with behaviours which predispose to later disease, suggesting that psychological interventions with young women may be particularly important for long-term physical health. The WHQ appears a useful measure of well-being and a good predictor of health-related behaviour across a range of ages.
Video-based media spaces are designed to support casual interaction between intimate collaborators. Yet transmitting video is fraught with privacy concerns. Some researchers suggest that the video stream be filtered to mask out potentially sensitive ...
The interpretation of religion in DSM-III-R contains considerable negative bias and contributes to unfair stereotypes of religious persons. Particularly new religious movements and religious conversion are unfairly interpreted under the DSM-III-R heading, 'Dissociative Disorder Not Otherwise Specified'. It is suggested that a more balanced and respectful interpretation of religion is needed in DSM-III-R, since psychiatry through its official nomenclature should not contribute to social intolerance of religious nonconformity.
During 1975 twenty-six bereaved spouses took part in a detailed prospective investigation of the effects of severe stress on the immune system. T and B cell numbers and function, and hormone concentrations were studied approximately 2 weeks after bereavement and 6 weeks thereafter. The response to phytohaemagglutinin was significantly depressed in the bereaved group on the second occasion, as was the response to concanavalin A at 6 weeks. There was no difference in T and B cell numbers, protein concentrations, the presence of autoantibodies and delayed hypersensitivity, and in cortisol, prolactin, growth hormone, and thyroid hormone assays between the bereaved group and the controls. This is the first time severe psychological stress has been shown to produce a measurable abnormality in immune function which is not obviously caused by hormonal changes.
The major independent role played by anxiety and severe psychosocial problems (especially family ones) is demonstrated by this multivariate analysis of a five year prospective study of the development of new angina pectoris among almost 10,000 adult men (average annual incidence = 5.7/1,000). The independent effect of these two variables is considerably augmented by the other significant risk factors of age, total serum cholesterol, systolic or diastolic blood pressure, certain electrocardiographic abnormalities and diabetes mellitus. The presence of all seven risk factors (at a high level) increases the probability of angina pectoris developing within five years to 289/1,000 from 14/1,000, when these factors are low or absent. The wife's love and support is an important balancing factor, which apparently reduces the risk of angina pectoris even in the presence of high risk factors. The implications of these findings to the pathophysiology and prevention of angina are stressed.
This study prospectively evaluated psychosocial as well as biologic, behavioral, and demographic factors in the development of duodenal ulcer. Baseline data were collected in 1963 on 8,458 Israeli men over age 40 years who had no history of duodenal ulcer. The subjects were followed for 5 years, and 254 reported the development of radiographically proven duodenal ulcer. The average annual incidence was six per 1,000 subjects. Multivariable logistic regression analysis confirmed several previously reported risk factors: smoking (odds ratio (OR) = 1.64, 95% confidence interval (Cl) 1.25-2.16), greater age (60 years and over) (OR = 1.85, 95% Cl 1.25-2.74), lower salary (OR = 1.50, 95% Cl 1.14-1.96), and lower systolic blood pressure (less than 140 mmHg) (OR = 1.58, 95% Cl 1.16-2.15). In addition, logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association of duodenal ulcer incidence with preceding measures of family stress, emotional support, and coping style. These were: increased family problems (OR = 1.60, 95% Cl 1.19-2.16), low level of perceived love and support from subject's wife (OR = 2.06, 95% Cl 1.05-4.05), and restraining retaliation when hurt by coworkers (OR = 1.89, 95% Cl 1.19-3.00). This study confirms several previously reported risk factors and underlines the importance of stress, lack of social support, and coping style in the development of duodenal ulcer.
While much research has focused on the impacts of negative psychological states, such as stress, on physical health, relatively little research has examined the effects of positive psychological states. We suggest this imbalance is attributable to inadequate theoretical and methodological development regarding the impacts of positive psychological states on health. This paper presents a framework by which positive psychological states may influence physical health. Following this, we review evidence pertaining to this framework. We conclude by discussing methodological issues associated with this relatively new area of inquiry.
The prospective association of social relationships and activities reported during a round of interviews and medical examinations in 1967-1969 with mortality over the succeeding nine to 12 years was examined for a cohort of 2754 adult (aged 35-69 years as of 1967-1969) men and women in the Tecumseh Community Health Study. After adjustments for age and a variety of risk factors for mortality, men reporting a higher levels of social relationships and activities in 1967-1969 were significantly less likely to die during the follow-up period. Trends for women were similar, but generally nonsignificant once age and other risk factors were controlled. These results were invariant across age, occupational, and health status groups. No association was observed between mortality and satisfaction with social relationships or activities. How and why social relationships and activities predict mortality are discussed and identified as important foci for future research.
Volunteer workers over age sixty-five were compared to retired elderly who did not engage in any type of work activity. Volunteers were found to have significantly higher degree of life satisfaction, stronger will to live, and fewer symptoms of depression, anxiety, and somatization. Since no differences were found on most demographic or background variables, participation in volunteer work appears to be the salient factor in explaining psychosocial differences between volunteers and non-volunteers.
Rabbits on a 2 percent cholesterol diet were individually petted, held, talked to, and played with on a regular basis. Measurements
of aortic affinity for a Sudan stain, serum cholesterol levels, heart rate, and blood pressure were made at the end of the
experimental period. Compared to control groups, which were given the same diet and normal laboratory animal care, the experimental
groups showed more than a 60 percent reduction in the percentage of aortic surface area exhibiting sudanophilic lesions, even
though serum cholesterol levels, heart rate, and blood pressure were comparable.
In the early 1950s, multiple-choice scores reflecting feelings of warmth and closeness with parents were obtained from a sample of healthy, undergraduate Harvard men who participated in the Harvard Mastery of Stress Study. Thirty-five years later, detailed medical and psychological histories and medical records were obtained. Ninety-one percent of participants who did not perceive themselves to have had a warm relationship with their mothers (assessed during college) had diagnosed diseases in midlife (including coronary artery disease, hypertension, duodenal ulcer, and alcoholism), as compared to 45% of participants who perceived themselves to have had a warm relationship with their mothers. A similar association between perceived warmth and closeness and future illness was obtained for fathers. Since parents are usually the most meaningful source of social support in early life, the perception of parental love and caring may have important effects on biological and psychological health and illness throughout life.
This study examined how the perception of parental caring, obtained from undergraduates, relates to subsequent health over the ensuing 35 years.
In the early 1950s, initial ratings of parental caring were obtained from a sample of healthy, Harvard undergraduate men who participated in the Harvard Mastery of Stress Study. In a 35 year prospective, follow-up investigation, detailed medical and psychological histories and medical records were obtained.
Subjects identified in midlife as suffering from illnesses such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, duodenal ulcer, and alcoholism, gave their parents significantly lower ratings (p < .00003) on perceived parental caring items (loving, just, fair, hardworking, clever, strong) while in college. This effect was independent of subject's age, family history of illness, smoking behavior, the death and/or divorce of parents, and marital history of subjects. Furthermore, 87% of subjects who rated both their mothers and fathers low in parental caring had diagnosed diseases in midlife, whereas only 25% of subjects who rated both their mothers and fathers high in parental caring had diagnosed diseases in midlife.
Since parents are usually the most meaningful source of social support for much of early life, the perception of parental caring, and parental loving itself, may have important regulatory and predictive effects on biological and psychological health and illness.