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Do unto others or treat yourself? The effects of prosocial and self-focused behavior on psychological flourishing.

Open access
Nelson, S. Katherine, Layous, Kristin, Cole, Steven W., Lyubomirsky, Sonja·2016·Emotion
DOI 10.1037/emo0000178
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Abstract

When it comes to the pursuit of happiness, popular culture encourages a focus on oneself. By contrast, substantial evidence suggests that what consistently makes people happy is focusing prosocially on others. In the current study, we contrasted the mood- and well-being-boosting effects of prosocial behavior (i.e., doing acts of kindness for others or for the world) and self-oriented behavior (i.e., doing acts of kindness for oneself) in a 6-week longitudinal experiment. Across a diverse sample of participants (N = 473), we found that the 2 types of prosocial behavior led to greater increases in psychological flourishing than did self-focused and neutral behavior. In addition, we provide evidence for mechanisms explaining the relative improvements in flourishing among those prompted to do acts of kindness-namely, increases in positive emotions and decreases in negative emotions. Those assigned to engage in self-focused behavior did not report improved psychological flourishing, positive emotions, or negative emotions relative to controls. The results of this study contribute to a growing literature supporting the benefits of prosocial behavior and challenge the popular perception that focusing on oneself is an optimal strategy to boost one's mood. People striving for happiness may be tempted to treat themselves. Our results, however, suggest that they may be more successful if they opt to treat someone else instead. (PsycINFO Database Record

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

In a 6-week longitudinal experiment, prosocial behavior (acts of kindness for others or for the world) produced greater increases in psychological flourishing than self-focused behavior or a neutral control. Self-focused behavior did not improve flourishing, positive emotions, or negative emotions relative to controls.

Key findings

  • Prosocial behavior led to greater linear changes in psychological flourishing than both self-focused behavior (γ₁₁ = 0.09, SE = 0.05, t(730) = 1.86, p = .06, d = 0.29) and control (γ₁₁ = 0.09, SE = 0.05, t(730) = 1.93, p = .05, d = 0.31). Self-focused behavior did not improve flourishing relative to control (γ₁₂ = 0.01, SE = 0.05, t(730) = 0.09, p = .93, d = 0.02).
  • Prosocial behavior was associated with greater positive emotions than control at posttest (γ₁₀ = 0.39, SE = 0.14, t(466) = 2.73, p = .007) and marginally at 2-week follow-up (γ₁₀ = 0.31, SE = 0.17, t(466) = 1.84, p = .07, d = 0.25). It was also associated with fewer negative emotions than control at posttest (γ₁₀ = −0.36, SE = 0.13, t(466) = −2.82, p = .005, d = −0.36) and follow-up (γ₁₀ = −0.33, SE = 0.14, t(466) = −2.30, p = .02, d = −0.33).
  • Mediation analyses showed that positive emotions, but not negative emotions, explained enduring effects: the bias-corrected 95% CI for the indirect effect through positive emotions was [0.02, 0.19] at posttest and [0.02, 0.21] at follow-up; negative emotions did not predict follow-up flourishing (b = .003, p = .96).
  • Acts of kindness for others and for the world did not significantly differ in their trajectories (γ₁₁ = 0.03, SE = 0.05, t(732) = 0.62, p = .53, d = 0.19).

Methods

  • A 6-week longitudinal experiment randomized participants to other-kindness (n = 120), world-kindness (n = 118), self-kindness (n = 118), or neutral control (n = 116). Participants were recruited from a community sample (n = 154), a diverse public university subject pool (n = 152), and Amazon Mechanical Turk (n = 166); the paper reports N = 472 in Method (abstract says N = 473), 60% female, ages 17–67 (M = 29.95, SD = 11.47). They performed assigned activities weekly for 4 weeks after baseline and completed a 2-week follow-up, yielding six time points.
  • Flourishing was measured with the 14-item Mental Health Continuum–Short Form (0–5 scale; Cronbach’s α = .92–.95). Positive and negative emotions were measured weekly with the nine-item Affect-Adjective Scale (0–6 scale; α = .86–.89 for negative emotions, .91–.93 for positive emotions). Independent judges coded adherence (ICCs > .91) and social orientation of actions (ICCs > .85).
  • Main analyses used multilevel growth curve modeling with linear and quadratic time terms. Mediation used Hayes’ procedures with 5,000 bootstrapped samples, controlling for baseline flourishing and baseline positive and negative emotions. Analyses included participants with at least one time point (n = 464); mediation analyses included posttest n = 360 and follow-up n = 347.

Limitations

  • The paper states that effects were medium in size (d = 0.31), the intervention was relatively minor (about 30–60 min per week), and participants were directly assigned to perform kindness, which may not reflect autonomously motivated prosocial behavior in daily life and may yield conservative estimates.
  • The paper states that emotions were self-reported and averaged into weekly composites, that social relationships were not directly tested, and that the null self-kindness finding may not generalize to trained self-compassion; many self-kindness acts were pleasure-focused and sometimes mildly maladaptive (e.g., skipping class, indulging in desserts).
  • Evident from the text: attrition was present—8 participants were excluded for incomplete baseline measures and 65 did not complete posttest or follow-up measures—and mTurk participants showed slightly higher attrition. The abstract reports N = 473 while the Method reports N = 472, and the sample was diverse but still 41.9% White.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1037/emo0000178

Cites

73 of 73 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 29 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    Prosocial behavior led to greater linear changes in psychological flourishing relative to self-focused behavior (γ11=0.09, SE=0.05, t(730)=1.86, p=.06, d=0.29).

    “Prosocial behavior led to greater linear, but not quadratic, changes in psychological flourishing relative to both self-focused behavior, ␥ 11 ϭ 0.09, SE ϭ 0.05, t(730) ϭ 1.86, p ϭ .06,d ϭ 0.29, and control, ␥ 11 ϭ 0.09, SE ϭ 0.05, t(730) ϭ 1.93, p ϭ .05,d ϭ 0.31.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    In a 6-week longitudinal experiment with a diverse sample (N=473), the two types of prosocial behavior (acts of kindness for others or for the world) led to greater increases in psychological flourishing than did self-focused behavior and neutral behavior.

    “Across a diverse sample of participants (N ϭ 473), we found that the 2 types of prosocial behavior led to greater increases in psychological flourishing than did self-focused and neutral behavior.”
    • Also stated in: § Discussion · plain
      “Across a diverse sample of participants, prosocial actions in this study led to greater increases in psychological flourishing than self-focused actions and neutral behaviors.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Prosocial behavior did not lead to greater linear or quadratic changes in positive emotions relative to self-focused behavior (|γs| < .06, ps > .22).

    “Prosocial behavior did not lead to greater linear or quadratic changes in positive emotions relative to self-focused behavior, |␥s| Ͻ .06,ps Ͼ .22.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Prosocial behavior led to greater linear changes in psychological flourishing relative to control (γ11=0.09, SE=0.05, t(730)=1.93, p=.05, d=0.31).

    “Prosocial behavior led to greater linear, but not quadratic, changes in psychological flourishing relative to both self-focused behavior, ␥ 11 ϭ 0.09, SE ϭ 0.05, t(730) ϭ 1.86, p ϭ .06,d ϭ 0.29, and control, ␥ 11 ϭ 0.09, SE ϭ 0.05, t(730) ϭ 1.93, p ϭ .05,d ϭ 0.31.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Self-focused behavior did not lead to linear improvements in psychological flourishing relative to control (γ12=0.01, SE=0.05, t(730)=0.09, p=.93, d=0.02).

    “By contrast, self-focused behavior did not lead to linear improvements in psychological flourishing relative to control, ␥ 12 ϭ 0.01, SE ϭ 0.05, t(730) ϭ 0.09, p ϭ .93,d ϭ 0.02.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 18
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 15

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Participants who practiced prosocial behavior reported greater positive emotions than control at posttest (γ10=0.39, SE=0.14, t(466)=2.73, p=.007), but only marginally greater positive emotions at the 2-week follow-up (γ10=0.31, SE=0.17, t(466)=1.84, p=.07, d=0.25).

    “In addition, participants who practiced prosocial behavior reported greater positive emotions than control at posttest, ␥ 10 ϭ 0.39, SE ϭ 0.14, t(466) ϭ 2.73, p ϭ .007,but only marginally greater positive emotions at the 2-week follow-up, ␥ 10 ϭ 0.31, SE ϭ 0.17, t(466) ϭ 1.84, p ϭ .07,d ϭ 0.25.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Prosocial behavior led to marginally greater quadratic, but not linear, changes in positive emotions relative to control (γ21=-0.03, SE=0.02, t(1,933)=-1.89, p=.06, d=-0.52).

    “Prosocial behavior led to marginally greater quadratic, but not linear, changes in positive emotions, ␥ 21 ϭ Ϫ0.03, SE ϭ 0.02, t(1,933) ϭ Ϫ1.89, p ϭ .06,d ϭ -0.52, relative to control (see Table 2, Figure 1).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    People who engaged in prosocial behavior reported fewer negative emotions than control at posttest (γ10=-0.36, SE=0.13, t(466)=-2.82, p=.005, d=-0.36) and at the 2-week follow-up (γ10=-0.33, SE=0.14, t(466)=-2.30, p=.02, d=-0.33).

    “but people who engaged in prosocial behavior did report fewer negative emotions than control at posttest, ␥ 10 ϭ Ϫ0.36, SE ϭ 0.13, t(466) ϭ Ϫ2.82, p ϭ .005,d ϭ -0.36, and at the 2-week follow-up, ␥ 10 ϭ Ϫ0.33, SE ϭ 0.14, t(466) ϭ Ϫ2.30, p ϭ .02,d ϭ Ϫ0.33.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Self-focused behavior led to marginally greater quadratic change in psychological flourishing relative to control (γ22=0.14, SE=0.09, t(730)=1.67, p=.096, d=0.35), such that participants who engaged in self-focused behaviors reported a slight decline in psychological flourishing, followed by a return to baseline levels.

    “Self-focused behavior led to marginally greater quadratic change in psychological flourishing relative to control, ␥ 22 ϭ 0.14, SE ϭ 0.09, t(730) ϭ 1.67, p ϭ .096,d ϭ 0.35, such that participants who engaged in self-focused behaviors reported a slight decline in psychological flourishing, followed by a return to baseline levels.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    At each time point, all three conditions differed significantly in social orientation, with other-kindness rated as most social, followed by world-kindness and self-kindness, respectively (Fs > 282.55, ps < .001).

    “At each time point, all three conditions differed significantly from one another, with other-kindness rated as most social, followed by worldkindness and self-kindness, respectively, Fs Ͼ 282.55, ps Ͻ .001(see Supplemental Materials for example behaviors by condition).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Self-focused behavior did not lead to greater linear or quadratic changes in positive emotions or negative emotions relative to control, nor was it associated with differences in positive or negative emotions compared to control at posttest or follow-up.

    “Self-focused behavior did not lead to greater linear or quadratic changes in positive emotions or negative emotions relative to control, nor was it associated with differences in positive or negative emotions compared to control at posttest or follow-up (see Table 2, Figure 1).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Positive emotions (b=0.42, p<.0001) and negative emotions (b=-0.16, p=.003) had significant direct effects on psychological flourishing at posttest.

    “In addition, the direct effects of positive emotions, b ϭ 0.42, p Ͻ .0001,and negative emotions, b ϭ Ϫ0.16, p ϭ .003, on psychological flourishing at posttest were also significant (b paths).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Prosocial behavior had direct effects on positive emotions (b=0.23, p=.02) but not negative emotions (b=-0.13, p=.18).

    “Analyses revealed direct effects of prosocial behavior on positive emotions, b ϭ 0.23 p ϭ .02,but not negative emotions, b ϭ Ϫ0.13, p ϭ .18(a paths).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Prosocial behavior led to greater linear, but not quadratic, improvements in psychological well-being relative to control (γ11=0.13, SE=0.06, t(733)=2.29, p=.02, d=0.36).

    “and greater linear, but not quadratic, improvements in psychological well-being relative to control, ␥ 11 ϭ 0.13, SE ϭ 0.06, t(733) ϭ 2.29, p ϭ .02,d ϭ 0.36.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Only positive emotions predicted enduring effects of the intervention on flourishing at follow-up; negative emotions did not.

    “This indicates that only positive emotions predicted enduring effects of the intervention on flourishing.”
    • Also stated in: § Prosocial Behavior · plain
      “Notably, only higher levels of positive emotions, but not lower levels of negative emotions, predicted greater flourishing at posttest and the 2-week follow-up among participants who engaged in prosocial behavior.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Engaging in self-focused behaviors (acts of self-kindness) neither improved psychological flourishing nor increased positive emotions nor decreased negative emotions relative to a control activity.

    “By contrast, engaging in self-focused behaviors (or acts of selfkindness) neither improved psychological flourishing nor led to increases in positive emotions or decreases in negative emotions, relative to a control activity.”
    • Also stated in: § Methodological Contributions · plain
      “Yet we found that this activity does not actually lead to improvements in well-being.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingcitation

    The effect size found in the current study is comparable to the effect sizes of other positive activity interventions.

    “Finally, the effect size found here is comparable to the effect sizes of other positive activity interventions (Bolier et al., 2013;Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Bolier et al., 2013

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    Prior to data collection, the authors decided to recruit approximately 160 participants from each sample to increase demographic diversity and representativeness, and to maximize power.

    “Prior to data collection, we decided to recruit approximately 160 participants from each sample to increase the demographic diversity and representativeness of the sample, and to maximize power.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The Affect-Adjective Scale assessed positive and negative emotions with Cronbach's alphas ranging from .86 to .89 for negative emotions and .91 to .93 for positive emotions across measurements.

    “Across measurements in this study, Cronbach's ␣s ranged from .86 to .89 for negative emotions, and .91 to .93 for positive emotions.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The four conditions did not differ in baseline flourishing, positive or negative emotions, or in demographic composition, including recruitment sample, sex, ethnicity, and age, Fs < 1.

    “Preliminary analyses revealed that the four conditions did not differ in baseline flourishing, positive or negative emotions, or in demographic composition, including recruitment sample, sex, ethnicity, and age, Fs Ͻ 1.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Self-compassion is linked to greater psychological well-being.

    “Perhaps not surprisingly, studies indicate that self-compassion is linked to greater psychological wellbeing (Neff, Kirkpatrick, & Rude, 2007;Neff & McGehee, 2010;Neff, Rude, & Kirkpatrick, 2007).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Neff, Kirkpatrick, & Rude, 2007

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Neff & McGehee, 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Neff, Rude, & Kirkpatrick, 2007

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    People who reported relatively greater flourishing missed fewer work days and experienced fewer limitations in daily activities.

    “For example, people who reported relatively greater flourishing missed fewer work days and experienced fewer limitations in daily activities (Keyes, 2005).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Keyes, 2005

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The Mental Health Continuum-Short Form assessed psychological flourishing with Cronbach's alphas ranging from .92 to .95 across measurements.

    “Cronbach's ␣s ranged from .92 to .95 across measurements in this study.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Positive activities improve well-being in part by promoting increases in positive emotions and decreases in negative emotions.

    “Recent theory suggests that positive activities (i.e., simple behaviors such as kindness and gratitude) improve well-being in part by promoting increases in positive emotions and decreases in negative emotions (Lyubomirsky & Layous, 2013).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Lyubomirsky & Layous, 2013

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductown data

    Participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions.

    “then were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: to perform acts of kindness for others (i.e., other-kindness; n ϭ 120), to perform acts of kindness for humanity or the world (i.e., worldkindness, n ϭ 118), to perform acts of kindness for themselves (i.e., self-kindness, n ϭ 118), or to complete a neutral control activity (i.e., control, n ϭ 116).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Prosocial behavior can be understood from multiple levels of analysis, including mesolevel prosocial behavior (specific cases in helper-recipient dyads) and macrolevel prosocial behavior (broader context, such as community service).

    “These operationalizations stem from theory suggesting that prosocial behavior can be understood from multiple levels of analysis, including mesolevel prosocial behavior (i.e., specific cases of prosocial behavior in the context of helper-recipient dyads) and macrolevel prosocial behavior (i.e., prosocial behavior that occurs in a broader context, such as community service; Penner et al., 2005).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Penner et al., 2005

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    People high in psychological flourishing experience relatively bigger boosts in positive emotions in response to everyday events, which leads to subsequently greater flourishing over time.

    “In addition, people high in psychological flourishing have been shown to experience relatively bigger boosts in positive emotions in response to everyday events, which leads to subsequently greater flourishing over time (Catalino & Fredrick-son, 2011).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Catalino & Fredrickson, 2011

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    The experience of more positive emotions and fewer negative emotions explained the association between resilience and life satisfaction.

    “In another investigation, the experience of more positive emotions and fewer negative emotions explained the association between resilience and life satisfaction (Liu et al., 2013).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Liu et al., 2013

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    Participants largely adhered to instructions and completed their assigned actions, with the average number of actions ranging from 2.61 to 2.77 across time points.

    “Participants largely adhered to instructions and completed their assigned actions, with the average number of actions ranging from 2.61 to 2.77 across time points.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationcitation

    The findings presented here are consistent with previous evidence suggesting that spending money on others leads to greater happiness than spending money on oneself.

    “The findings presented here are consistent with previous evidence suggesting that spending money on others leads to greater happiness than spending money on oneself (Dunn et al., 2008).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Dunn et al., 2008

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Autonomously motivated prosocial behavior leads to relatively larger well-being gains.

    “Indeed, previous work suggests that autonomously motivated prosocial behavior leads to relatively larger well-being gains (Nelson et al., 2015;Weinstein & Ryan, 2010).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Nelson et al., 2015

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Weinstein & Ryan, 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Self-kindness as conceptualized by self-compassion theorists involves extending kindness and understanding to oneself rather than harsh judgment and self-criticism, representing a pattern of thinking rather than behaving.

    “theories of self-compassion suggest that self-kindness involves”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Neff, 2003, p. 89

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The pattern of results was identical in models excluding sample as a covariate.

    “However, the pattern of results was identical in models excluding sample as a covariate.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    Performing acts of self-kindness requires similar amounts of behavior and planning as performing acts of other-kindness, while also eliciting similar expectations regarding its potential to boost well-being.

    “Notably, performing acts of self-kindness requires similar amounts of behavior and planning as performing acts of otherkindness, while also eliciting similar expectations regarding its potential to boost well-being.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
29 of 29

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The majority of previous studies compare prosocial behavior to a neutral control condition that is not expected to promote well-being.

    “In addition, the majority of previous studies compare prosocial behavior to a neutral control condition (e.g., keeping track of daily activities) that is not expected to promote well-being.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Studies examining prosocial spending and personal spending typically compare their effects to one another and do not include a neutral control condition.

    “Studies examining the influence of prosocial spending and personal spending typically compare their effects to one another and do not include a neutral control condition, so it remains unclear whether focusing on the self (in spending or in behavior) results in shifts in well-being.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Helping specific individuals is more socially oriented and more likely to trigger reciprocal kindness than helping the world.

    “Moreover, these two types of prosocial behavior differ on several dimensions, including that helping specific individuals is more socially oriented and more likely to trigger reciprocal kindness.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The majority of work on self-compassion has been correlational.

    “The majority of work on self-compassion has been correlational, but a small pilot experiment showed that training participants in self-compassion leads to increases in self-reported self-compassion, mindfulness, and well-being, relative to a no-treatment control (Neff & Germer, 2013).”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Popular culture encourages a focus on oneself and on one's needs when pursuing happiness.

    “When it comes to the pursuit of happiness, popular culture encourages a focus on oneself and on one's needs.”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    Prosocial behavior improves positive emotions and psychological flourishing in part because it improves social relationships.

    “Moreover, although we posit that prosocial behavior improves positive emotions and psychological flourishing in part because it improves social relationships, we did not directly test the role of social relationships in the current study.”
6 of 6

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Abstract names an unsupported negative-emotion mechanism

    Major

    The abstract says decreases in negative emotions explain improvements in flourishing, but the reported mediation analysis found no significant effect of prosocial behavior on negative emotions.

  • Discussion overlooks a significant posttest negative-emotion path

    Minor

    The Discussion says lower negative emotions did not predict greater flourishing at posttest, whereas the posttest mediation results report a significant negative-emotion path.

2 of 2

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Coffey, J. K., Wray-Lake, L., Mashek, D., & Branand, B. (in press). A longitudinal examination of a multidimensional well-being model in college and community samples. Journal of Happiness Studies.

Cited by

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Related

Authors
Nelson, S. K., Layous, K., Cole, S. W., & Lyubomirsky, S.
Affiliations
  • Sewanee: The University of the South (US)
  • California State University, East Bay (US)
  • University of California, Riverside (US)
ORCID
Venue
Emotion
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
Published
2016-09
Volume
16
Issue
6
Pages
850-861
ISSN
  • 1528-3542 (ISSN-L)
  • 1931-1516
DOI
10.1037/emo0000178
OpenAlex
W2338654317
Semantic Scholar
3a0a9ba2fd52013369e7ebc0a43aa7faf1983c6d
Cited by
356
References
70
Citations by year
2026: 26 · 2025: 37 · 2024: 37 · 2023: 40 · 2022: 61 · 2021: 42 · 2020: 40 · 2019: 25 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 20 · 2016: 6
FWCI
37.68
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Emotion (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Nonprofit Sector and Volunteering
Keywords
prosocial behavior, acts of kindness, psychological flourishing, well-being, positive emotions, negative emotions, mood, happiness
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Emotions, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Social Behavior, Young Adult

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