Purchase instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):
The aim of this study was to examine the relations between prosocial behavior, spirituality, religiousness, and purpose in life. Participants were Argentinians aged 18 years and over (N = 291; M Age = 38.45 years; SD = 12.09 years; range = 18 to 76). Prosocial behavior was understood and measured as a bi-dimensional construct comprised of helping and comforting. Findings showed that prosocial behavior in one of its dimensions – helping – was associated with religiousness, spirituality, and purpose in life, while its other dimension – comforting – was associated with spirituality and purpose in life. Additionally, two components of spirituality – universality and prayer fulfillment – were also associated with both dimensions of prosocial behavior. Results from regression analyses indicated that religiousness predicted helping, while spirituality and one of its components, universality, predicted both helping and comforting. In contrast to some of the posited limitations to prosociality among the religious population, such as religious in-group favoritism, this facet of spirituality could account for some of the differences with religiousness and appears to be key in promoting prosocial behaviors.