Prosocial Behavior and Well-Being: An Empirical Review of the Role of Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction

Abstract

Although prosocial behavior is positively associated with one’s well-being, researchers have yet to reach a consensus on the role played by basic psychological need satisfaction (BPNS) in this association. A systematic review of the existing empirical literature is conducted in this article to summarize and synthesize the relationship between prosocial behavior and well-being, with a special emphasis on the multifaceted role of BPNS (i.e. mediation, moderation, and concurrent mediation and moderation). Nineteen articles have been identified that meet the criteria of the research focus, being empirical and peer-reviewed. Results suggest that BPNS can act as a mediator, moderator, and differing mediation and moderation roles. Prosocial behavior can both individually and jointly satisfy the three needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness, thus enhancing well-being. Moreover, the positive correlation between prosocial behavior and well-being can be augmented by a high level of satisfaction of one or multiple needs. Furthermore, those who have higher satisfaction of autonomy, competence, or relatedness display a greater increase in well-being after engaging in prosocial behavior, which can be mediated by BPNS. Drawing on these findings, the current body of work is evaluated in terms of its strengths and weaknesses, and potential future directions are explored.

Keywords:

• Prosocial behavior
• well-being
• basic psychological need satisfaction
• empirical review

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Yunxiang Chen

Yunxiang Chen is a PhD Candidate at the Margaret Warner School of Education and Human Development, University of Rochester. His research is centered around need satisfaction, need frustration, pro-sociality, motivation and well-being.