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Psychological capital mediates the influence of meaning in life on prosocial behavior of university students: A longitudinal study

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  • Zhang, Shuyue
  • Fu, Ya-Nan
  • Liu, Qun
  • Turel, Ofir
  • He, Qinghua

Abstract

Meaning in life is a summative cognition of valuable goals, life purpose, and relationships among things and people. A central feature of meaning in life is the broad consideration of more than oneself. We extend this logic to suggest that people higher in meaning in life will engage in more prosocial behaviors, compared to others. Further extending this idea, we hypothesized and longitudinally tested the assertion that one of the potentials, yet overlooked and important mechanisms that mediates the association between current meaning in life and prosocial behavior among university students six-months later is psychological capital (PsyCap). A total of 913 Chinese university students (25.6% males; 70.3% females; Mage = 19.63, SDage = 1.04) completed a Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ), a Prosocial Tendencies Measure (PTM), and a Positive Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PPQ) at three different times. The results showed that the association between T1 meaning in life and T3 prosocial behavior was significant before adding the mediator variables into the model (β = 0.10, p < 0.001). T2 PsyCap significantly mediated the influence of T1 meaning in life on T3 prosocial behavior (indirect effect = 0.10; 95% CI [0.06, 0.14]). We concluded that meaning in life in university students can influence subsequent prosocial behaviors, directly, as well as through PsyCap.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, Shuyue & Fu, Ya-Nan & Liu, Qun & Turel, Ofir & He, Qinghua, 2022. "Psychological capital mediates the influence of meaning in life on prosocial behavior of university students: A longitudinal study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:140:y:2022:i:c:s0190740922002365
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2022.106600
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cheng, Tien-Ming & Hong, Ci-Yao & Yang, Bo-Cheng, 2018. "Examining the moderating effects of service climate on psychological capital, work engagement, and service behavior among flight attendants," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 94-102.
    2. Luthans, Fred & Avolio, Bruce J. & Walumbwa, Fred O. & Li, Weixing, 2005. "The Psychological Capital of Chinese Workers: Exploring the Relationship with Performance," Management and Organization Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 1(2), pages 249-271, July.
    3. Michael Steger & Arissa Fitch-Martin & Jena Donnelly & Kathryn Rickard, 2015. "Meaning in Life and Health: Proactive Health Orientation Links Meaning in Life to Health Variables Among American Undergraduates," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 16(3), pages 583-597, June.
    4. Fred Luthans & Bruce J. Avolio & Fred O. Walumbwa & Weixing Li, 2005. "The Psychological Capital of Chinese Workers: Exploring the Relationship with Performance," Management and Organization Review, International Association of Chinese Management Research, vol. 1(2), pages 249-271, July.
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