Examining the factor structure and etiology of prosociality.

Abstract

Prosociality is one construct included in the developmental propensity model proposed by Lahey and colleagues to explain the development of conduct problems in childhood and adolescence. Findings from previous literature on two facets of prosociality, dispositional sympathy and respect for rules, suggest that both may have genetic and nonshared environmental influences but only the latter may have shared environmental influence. The goal of the current paper was to explore the structure of the prosociality disposition from a measurement perspective as well as to examine the etiology of this construct. The sample consisted of 686 twin pairs ages 7 to 13. Parents rated their children’s prosociality using the Child and Adolescent Dispositions Scale. The factor structure of the prosociality scale was examined using confirmatory factor analysis to compare a one-factor model with a two-factor model. Twin analyses were used to examine the proportion of variance associated with genetic and environmental effects on the latent factor(s) from the best-fitting model. Results of the current study suggest that prosociality is a disposition that can be conceptualized as two related factors rather than a unitary dimension. These two factors map onto the subscales of the prosociality dimension (dispositional sympathy and respect for rules). Both factors had significant genetic and nonshared environmental influences, but only respect for rules had significant shared environmental influences. Examining the dispositional sympathy and respect for rules facets of prosociality separately allowed for the discovery that shared environmental factors may have more impact on respect for rules than sympathy.

Empatía en la adolescencia. Relaciones con razonamiento moral prosocial, conducta prosocial y agresividad

“…Las relaciones entre ambas variables han inducido a hablar de rasgos prosociales que contribuyen a la personalidad prosocial (Mikolajewski et al, 2014). Se habla de personalidad prosocial como la tendencia a pensar en el bienestar y los derechos de los demás, a sentir preocupación y empatía por ellos y a actuar de forma que les beneficie (Mehrabian y Epstein, 1972).…”

“…La empatía y la conducta prosocial en la infancia y adolescencia pueden ser factores de protección de la persona, dado que pueden inhibir conductas antisociales y promover comportamientos de adaptación personal y social (Carlo et al, 2014;Mikolajewski, Chavarria, Moltisanti, Hart y Taylor, 2014).…”

Vínculos familiares e inclusión social. Variables predictoras de la conducta prosocial en la infancia

“…Resumen: Los objetivos de esta investigación son analizar las relaciones de la conducta prosocial con variables del entorno familiar (apego y abandono del padre y de la madre), variables personales (inestabilidad emocional, agresividad y afrontamiento ante situaciones estresantes) y variables del entorno social próximo (aceptación y rechazo por los pares); además, estudiar las variables predictoras de la conducta prosocial. La conducta prosocial constituye un factor de protección personal que fomenta relaciones positivas entre los pares y promueve comportamientos de adaptación personal y social (Mikolajewski, Chavarria, Moltisanti, Hart & Taylor, 2014). Han participado 1447 niños/as (50.4% varones y 49.6% mujeres).…”

“…Prosocial behaviors are a key factor for personal development (Eisenberg, Fabes, & Spinrad, 2006;Lerner, von Eye, Lerner, & Lewin-Bizan, 2009) because they encourage personal and social adjustment behaviors (Carlo et al, 2014;Mikolajewski et al, 2014). Prosocial children are more accepted by their peers and have better interpersonal relations throughout their development (Asher & McDonald, 2009).…”

“…This study also examined the predictors of prosocial behavior. Prosocial behavior is a personal protective factor that encourages positive relationships between peers and promotes personal and social adjustment behaviors (Mikolajewski, Chavarria, Moltisanti, Hart & Taylor, 2014). A study with a sample of 1,447 children (50.4% male and 49.6% female) aged between 7 and 12 years (M = 9.27; SD = 1.36) was conducted.…”