Keywords

Prosocial behavior, Sympathy, Self-regulation, Values, Moral personality, Moral identity

Abstract

The current study examined bidirectional relations between adolescents' moral personality (prosocial values, self-regulation, and sympathy) and low- and high-cost prosocial behavior toward strangers. Participants included 682 adolescents (M age of child = 14.31, SD = 1.07, 50% female) who participated at two time points, approximately one year apart. Cross-lag analyses suggested that adolescents' values were associated with both low- and high-cost prosocial behavior one year later, self-regulation was associated with high-cost prosocial behavior, and sympathy was associated with low-cost prosocial behavior. Findings also suggested that low-cost prosocial behavior was associated with sympathy one year later, and high-cost prosocial behavior was associated with values. Discussion focuses on reciprocal relations between moral personality and prosocial behavior, and the need to consider a more multidimensional approach to prosocial development during adolescence.

Original Publication Citation

Padilla-Walker, L. M., & *Fraser, A. M. (2014). How much is it going to cost me? Bidirectional relations between adolescents’ moral personality and prosocial behavior Journal of Adolescence, 37, 993-1001.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2014-08-11

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/7739

Publisher

Journal of Adolescence

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

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