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. 2025 Jun;93(3):670-682.
doi: 10.1111/jopy.12960. Epub 2024 Jul 4.

Investigating the role of adversity and benevolence beliefs in predicting prosociality

Daniel Lim  1 , Michael J Poulin  2 , C Dale Shaffer-Morrison  3 , Lauren M Ministero  4 , Roxane Cohen Silver  5
Affiliations

Investigating the role of adversity and benevolence beliefs in predicting prosociality

Daniel Lim et al. J Pers. 2025 Jun.

Abstract

Background: Does experiencing adversity engender kindness, and if so, for whom? Two studies tested the hypothesis that adversity predicts increased pro-social outcomes, and that this relationship is strongest for individuals who view others as good and trustworthy, or benevolent.

Method: In Study 1, a cross-sectional survey design was utilized, and in Study 2 a longitudinal survey was conducted.

Results: In Study 1 (N = 359), the number of lifetime adverse life events was associated with increased volunteering, empathic concern, and self-reported altruism. The association of adversity and altruism was stronger for those with greater benevolence beliefs. In Study 2 (N = 1157), benevolence beliefs were assessed, and in subsequent years, adverse life events were reported. The number of past-year adverse life events predicted more volunteering and charitable involvement, but only among people with high benevolence beliefs.

Conclusion: Exposure to adversity may be associated with increased pro-social behavior among those with higher benevolence beliefs. In part, this could be due to benevolence beliefs increasing the expectation that one's efforts will be appreciated and reciprocated.

Keywords: adversity; altruism; benevolence; charity; empathy; pro‐social behavior; suffering; volunteering; worldviews.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
We predict that preexisting beliefs about the benevolence of others may moderate the positive association between adversity and prosociality.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Study 1: Associations between adversity and self‐reported altruism as a function of benevolence beliefs at +1 SD (0.73) above and −1 SD below the mean (3.38). Shaded areas in the graph represent the 95% confidence interval bands of their respective slopes.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Study 2: Associations between recent adversity (between Wave 1 and Wave 2) and volunteering (Wave 2) as a function of benevolence beliefs at +1 SD (0.78) above and −1 SD below the mean (3.62). Shaded areas in the graph represent the 95% confidence interval bands of their respective slopes.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Study 2: Associations between recent adversity (between Wave 1 and Wave 2) and charitable involvement (Wave 2) as a function of benevolence beliefs at +1 SD above and −1 SD below the mean. Shaded areas in the graph represent the 95% confidence interval bands of their respective slopes.
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