IPPA WC 2023 The devil is in the detail. Why cognitive and affective antecedents matter in wellbeing outcomes associated with prosocial behaviour. (#138)
Background
The majority of prosocial behaviour research assumes the behaviour alone is good for a person’s wellbeing and doesn’t consistently consider the role cognitive and emotional antecedents play in wellbeing outcomes. When antecedents are explored they often focus on negative emotional states, which when properly analysed may not benefit wellbeing as much as first thought.
Aims
This study specifically investigated the role of approach and avoidance goals on the wellbeing and engagement outcomes of volunteers who are undertaking prosocial behaviour.
Method
222 active volunteers from a range of different volunteering roles responded to an online survey that asked questions about goals for their volunteering, engagement in their volunteer role, their intention to quit and their wellbeing
Results
The results of this study discovered the group that had set approach goals for their volunteering had a higher prosocial self-evaluation, were more engaged in their volunteering and had a greater positive wellbeing than the group that set avoidant goals for their volunteering. However, there was no difference recorded between the two groups on their intention to quit their volunteering role.
Conclusion
The outcome of this research has ramifications for organisations that use volunteers, from helping volunteers set and develop approach goals to ramifications for their broad visions, recruitment, and engagement strategies. There may also be further-reaching implications for the use of prosocial behaviour as a psychological intervention to ensure appropriate antecedents for a person’s wellbeing and engagement are established before undertaking prosocial behaviour.
- Please select up to 3 keywords from the following list to best describe your submission content: Achievement, Business and Organizations, Motivation
