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Happy Helpers: A Multidimensional and Mixed-Method Approach to Prosocial Behavior and Its Effects on Friendship Quality, Mental Health, and Well-Being During Adolescence

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  • Daye Son

    (Arizona State University)

  • Laura M. Padilla-Walker

    (Brigham Young University)

Abstract

The current study used a multidimensional approach to prosocial behavior by (a) exploring various types of adolescent prosocial behavior toward friends (physical helping, sharing, defending, emotional support, including), and (b) examining longitudinal associations among prosocial behavior toward friends, friendship quality, and mental health and well-being outcomes during adolescence (anxiety, life satisfaction, depression). The data were taken from Waves 8, 9, and 10 of the [project name masked for review]. Participants at Wave 8 consisted of 470 adolescents (M age = 18.4 years, SD = 1.04, 49% male, 33% single-parent families) from the United States. Results revealed that overall prosocial behavior for boys and emotional support for girls were positively associated with friendship quality over time. Overall prosocial behavior was also associated with increased life satisfaction 2 years later. Discussion focuses on the multidimensionality of prosocial behavior and implications regarding friendships and mental health and well-being during adolescence.

Suggested Citation

  • Daye Son & Laura M. Padilla-Walker, 2020. "Happy Helpers: A Multidimensional and Mixed-Method Approach to Prosocial Behavior and Its Effects on Friendship Quality, Mental Health, and Well-Being During Adolescence," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(5), pages 1705-1723, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:21:y:2020:i:5:d:10.1007_s10902-019-00154-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-019-00154-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mònica González-Carrasco & Ferran Casas & Sara Malo & Ferran Viñas & Tamar Dinisman, 2017. "Changes with Age in Subjective Well-Being Through the Adolescent Years: Differences by Gender," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 63-88, February.
    2. Melikşah Demir & Metin Özdemir, 2010. "Friendship, Need Satisfaction and Happiness," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 11(2), pages 243-259, April.
    3. Ying Yang & Peipei Li & Yu Kou, 2017. "Orientations to Happiness and Subjective Well-Being in Chinese Adolescents," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 10(4), pages 881-897, December.
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    5. Ying Yang & Peipei Li & Xinyuan Fu & Yu Kou, 2017. "Orientations to Happiness and Subjective Well-Being in Chinese Adolescents: The Roles of Prosocial Behavior and Internet Addictive Behavior," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(6), pages 1747-1762, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bryant Pui Hung Hui & Algae Kit Yee Au & Jacky Chi Kit Ng & Xinmiao Song, 2022. "From Social Networking Site Use to Subjective Well-Being: The Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Mediating Pathways of Prosocial Behavior among Vocational College Students in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-16, December.
    2. Esther Yuet Ying Lau & Xingzhou Zhang & Rong-wei Sun & John Chi-Kin Lee, 2024. "“The Sum Is Greater Than the Parts?”—The Role of Student Covitality in Flourishing," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 25(5), pages 1-22, June.
    3. Jason D. E. Proulx & Julia W. Van de Vondervoort & J. Kiley Hamlin & John F. Helliwell & Lara B. Aknin, 2023. "Are Real-World Prosociality Programs Associated with Greater Psychological Well-Being in Primary School-Aged Children?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-22, March.
    4. Mercedes Gómez-López & Carmen Viejo & Eva M. Romera & Rosario Ortega-Ruiz, 2022. "Psychological Well-Being and Social Competence During Adolescence: Longitudinal Association Between the Two Phenomena," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 15(3), pages 1043-1061, June.

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