Altruism born of suffering among emerging adults in Northern Ireland

Datos Bibliográficos

ID12936751
AutoresLaura K Taylor (0000-0002-2353-2398, Queen's University Belfast, autor de correspondencia), Jeffrey R Hanna (0000-0002-8218-5939, Queen's University Belfast)
Año2017
Volumen10
Número3
Páginas157-169
Fecha de publicación2017-07-31
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaJournal of Aggression Conflict and Peace Research (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1759-6599 • E-ISSN: 2042-8715
EditorialEmerald Publishing Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1108/jacpr-01-2017-0271
OpenAlexW2626347865
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas14
Referencias citadas51

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore altruism born of suffering (ABS), a theory that explains how the experience of suffering within one’s own life may result in the motivation to help others, even outgroup members. Design/methodology/approach Participants were 186 emerging adults (63 per cent female, 37 per cent male; 69 per cent Protestant, 41 per cent Catholic; average age =21.3, SD=2.57 years old) in Northern Ireland, a setting of protracted intergroup conflict. Participants were randomly assigned to an in/outgroup condition, read four types of adversity that occurred to same-sex victim(s), and indicated their empathetic response and how much they would like to help the victims. Findings Moderated mediation analyses revealed that empathy for the victim partially mediated the impact of perceived harm on desire to help; moreover, recent negative life events strengthened the link between harm and empathy. The path between empathy and helping was stronger in the outgroup compared to the ingroup condition. Practical implications These findings support ABS, highlighting empathy as a key factor underlying more constructive intergroup relations in a divided society. Originality/value This paper extends previous research on ABS by focusing on a post-accord context. The value of the current analyses demonstrate the important role of fostering empathy to promote outgroup helping in settings of divisive group identities

Altruism (biology · Context (archaeology · Developmental psychology · Empathy · Harm · Ingroups and outgroups · Mediation · Outgroup · Prosocial behavior · Sociology · Value (mathematics · Nonprofit Sector and Volunteering · Psychology · Religion and Society Interactions · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Psychology