Altruism born of suffering: The roots of caring and helping after victimization and other trauma.

Abstract

Research on altruism has focused on its positive roots, whereas research on the effects of victimization and suffering has focused on aggression and difficulties in functioning. However, anecdotal evidence, case studies, and some empirical research indicate that victimization and suffering can also lead people to care about and help others. This article examines the relation of "altruism born of suffering" to resilience and posttraumatic growth, and proposes potentially facilitating influences on altruism born of suffering during, after, and preceding victimization and trauma. These include experiences that promote healing, understanding what led harm doers to their actions, having received help and having helped oneself or others at the time of one's suffering, caring by others, and prosocial role models. We suggest psychological changes that may result from these influences and lead to altruistic action: strengthening of the self, a more positive orientation toward people, empathy and belief in one's personal responsibility for others' welfare. The article critically reviews relevant research, and suggests future research directions and interventions to promote altruism born of suffering. Given the amount of violence between individuals and groups, understanding how victims become caring rather than aggressive is important for promoting a more peaceful world.

Sink or swim: Adversity- and growth-related experiences in Olympic swimming champions

“…This hypothesis was not, however, supported in the 743 swimmers' highly individualistic accounts but an alternative explanation may be that they 744 experienced an increased awareness of pain and suffering, which stimulated feelings of empathy 745 and responsibility, and resulted in a commitment to helping others (cf. Staub & Vollhardt, 2008 A noteworthy strength of this study is the use of autobiographies that span top sport 767 performers' lives and provide valuable and privileged insights into psychosocial processes and 768 changes. Notwithstanding this strength, these accounts are influenced by the writers' motives and 769 biases, their ability to recall events and experiences, and others' expectations and potential 770 judgments.…”

Stress and the social brain: behavioural effects and neurobiological mechanisms

“…Recently, the prosocial effects of stress have also been underscored through a series of studies that identified the phenomenon termed "altruism born of suffering" 191 . Specifically, these studies revealed increased motivation in former victims of suffering (whether from natural causes or inflicted by other human beings) to help others -particularly in-group members -and prevent further suffering 172,191 .…”

The Influence of Suffering, Social Class, and Social Power on Prosociality: An Empirical Review

“…Therefore, it is expected that the links between social class and prosocial orientation are in line with the notion that experiencing adversity fosters prosociality [19,20].…”

“…That is, those who sufered may often choose to provide social or informational support instead of tangible material support. Moreover, the driving force behind such preferences for prosociality may not be driven by empathy but instead by other mechanisms such as self-other similarity or communal orientation [16,20].…”