Religiosity and prosocial behaviours in adolescence: the mediating role of prosocial values

Abstract

This study examined the hypothesis that religiosity would be differentially related to six types of adolescent prosocial behaviour, and that these relations would be mediated by the prosocial value of kindness. Self-report data were collected from 142 high school students (63 per cent female; 91 per cent White; M age = 16.8, S =.80). Religiosity was a signifi cant positive predictor of kindness, as well as compliant, anonymous and altruistic prosocial behaviour, but not public, dire and emotional prosocial behaviour. Associations between religiosity and both compliant and altruistic prosocial behaviours were mediated by kindness. Direct and indirect paths were found between religiosity and anonymous prosocial behaviour. Thus, partial support was found for the mediational hypothesis. Discussion focused on the utility of distinguishing among different types of prosocial behaviours and on the role of religion and values in promoting moral education.Increasing concern among parents, schools, community leaders and policy makers regarding youth violence means that efforts to promote positive behaviours in teens are being welcomed (The Consortium on the Promotion of Social Competence, 1994). Given that most religions have teachings that emphasize care and compassion for others, religiosity (defi ned here as commitment to, identifi cation with and involvement in a religion or system of religious beliefs) is a potential positive infl uence on adolescent prosocial behaviour. However, relatively little research has examined relations between religiosity and prosocial behaviour, and it has been almost solely conducted using college-age or adult samples (e.g., Darley & Batson, 1973); hence, little is known about links between religiosity and prosocial behaviour, particularly among adolescents.Scholars have proposed several reasons why religiosity might have an impact on adolescent prosocial behaviour (Regnerus, 2003;Smith, 2003). For example, it has been suggested that religion is a form of social capital (Smith, 1999; King & Furrow, in press), provides opportunities for helping (Donahue & Benson, 1995;Youniss et al., 1999;Mattis et al., 2000;Bridges & Moore, 2002), acts as a source of social control (Annis, 1976;Batson et al., 1989) prosocial behaviours (Ritzema, 1979; Ellison, 1992). However, the most widely recognized mechanism by which religiosity might infl uence prosocial behaviour is through socialization of prosocial values (Ritzema, 1979;Batson et al., 1985;Benson et al., 1989; Bernt, 1989; Ellison, 1992; Wilson & Janoski, 1995;Smith, 1999;Youniss et al., 1999;Mattis et al., 2000). Specifi cally, religious texts (e.g., the Holy Bible, the Koran and the Talmud) and teachings (e.g., 'The golden rule') typically have a strong focus on doing good to others (Ritzema, 1979;Wuthnow, 1991). Firstly, the Holy Bible (1989 edition) makes mention of rewards associated with various caring behaviours such as giving alms (see Matthew 6: 3-4) and feeding the hungry (see , as well as punishments that follow lack of altruism (see ....

Pro-Social Behavior: Contributions of Religiosity, Empathic Concern, and Spirituality

“…These results are in line with the contributions of Batson et al (1993) and Batson (1998). Also, the results of the present research replicated only partially the findings of Yodrabum (2005) and of Hardy and Carlo (2005), which supported the assumption that religiosity directly or indirectly enhances or favors the pro-social behavior, identifying religiosity as a reliable predictor of pro-sociality. In the present study, the influence of the religiosity variable seems to be very small and irrelevant.…”

“…On the other hand, there are reasons to believe that individuals are usually generous, cooperative, concerned, and trustworthy, and it is assumed that religious people are more likely to show such attributes. Therefore, religiosity could be considered as a predictor of kindness and understanding as well as emotional pro-social altruism (Hardy and Carlo 2005).However, a growing number of studies question the relationship between religious practices and pro-social behavior, making it necessary to deepen its analysis and review its underlying theoretical assumptions. The existing scientific literature related to this topic is far from having achieved a full agreement on the existence of evidence for such a relationship and, rather, reveals contradictions regarding the influence of religiosity on pro-social behavior.…”

“…Religiosity . Spirituality Statements such as BDon't do unto others what you don't want others to do unto you^, attributed to Buddha, or BLove your neighbor as yourself^of the Christian gospels 1 , or BDo good to others without expecting anything in return^, and many other similar expressions shared by different religions tell us much about the importance that sacred Int J Lat Am Relig (2017) Batson et al 1993;Yodrabum 2005;Hardy and Carlo 2005) consider the religious experience, the practice of faith, instilling moral thinking, sharing, cooperating, and promoting pro-social behavior as a wide range of actions that seek to benefit one or more people (Batson 1998). On the other hand, there are reasons to believe that individuals are usually generous, cooperative, concerned, and trustworthy, and it is assumed that religious people are more likely to show such attributes.…”

“…On the other hand, there are reasons to believe that individuals are usually generous, cooperative, concerned, and trustworthy, and it is assumed that religious people are more likely to show such attributes. Therefore, religiosity could be considered as a predictor of kindness and understanding as well as emotional pro-social altruism (Hardy and Carlo 2005).…”

“…For this reason, many researchers (Batson et al 1993;Yodrabum 2005;Hardy and Carlo 2005) consider the religious experience, the practice of faith, instilling moral thinking, sharing, cooperating, and promoting pro-social behavior as a wide range of actions that seek to benefit one or more people (Batson 1998). On the other hand, there are reasons to believe that individuals are usually generous, cooperative, concerned, and trustworthy, and it is assumed that religious people are more likely to show such attributes.…”