Spirituality and Prosocial Behavior: The Influence of Prosocial Media and Empathy

• In Event: Relational and Socio-Emotional Impacts of Spirituality

Abstract

This study aimed to understand the extent to which spirituality predicts prosocial behavior beyond prosocial media use, empathy, gender, and age. We also examined the extent to which empathy mediates the relationship between spirituality and prosocial behavior. By using a hierarchical linear regression and mediation analyses, 489 Nigerian Undergraduates (aged from 18 to 32) completed a digitized questionnaire (google form) that assessed their spirituality, prosocial media use, empathy, and prosocial behavior. Results showed that after controlling for all variables, spirituality had the strongest prediction effect on prosocial behavior, and higher levels of spirituality were associated with higher levels of empathy. This study extends research and our understanding of how spirituality affects prosocial behavior.

Authors

• Dara Abimbade, Clemson University

• Kemi Olurinola

• Adetunmbi Akinyemi, University of Ibadan

• David Adepoju

• Samuel Aina, Washington State University