Abstract

Helping behavior is generally adaptive. However, optimal usage theory suggests that even helping might be taken to an unhealthy extreme, for example an individual serving someone to the extent that they neglect their own needs. Not a single dedicated measurement tool has been constructed to assess the tendency. Thus, the present study seeks to propose and validate a new measure of compulsive helping by assessing construct, convergent, and divergent validity. Using a sample (N=438) of emerging adults (Mage=20.29, SD=1.04, 51.71% Female) from the Flourishing Families Project, validity evidence supported the proposed measure, as well as convergent validity of the constructs of general prosocial behavior, anxiety, and divergent validity of empathy and self-regulation. Various future directions are proposed in order to improve the rigor and breadth of future measurement attempts of compulsive helping.

Degree

College and Department

Family, Home, and Social Sciences; Family Life

Rights

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