Can left-behind experience promote prosocial behavior- Evidence from China family panel studies
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 9405682 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Chunfang Zhou (0000-0003-4994-0207, corresponding author), Zhihao Hu (0000-0002-1669-4559), Chen Liu (0000-0001-6563-7975) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 262 |
| Pages | 106080-106080 |
| Publication date | 2026-01-06 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Acta Psychologica (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0001-6918 • E-ISSN: 1873-6297 |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.106080 |
| PMID | 41500125 |
| OpenAlex | W7119228862 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 50 |
The study examines the relationship between left-behind experience and prosocial behavior, as well as its underlying mechanism Using data from 2010 and 2018 from China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), we find that left-behind experience during early childhood (ages 0 to 3) can improve and promote personal donation behavior and the amount of donated money. The positive impact of left-behind experience during early childhood (ages 0 to 3) on prosocial behavior is through empathy and trust. First, left-behind experience during early childhood (ages 0 to 3) increases personal empathy and the tendency to feel compassion for others in need, consequently promoting prosocial behavior. Second, left-behind experience during early childhood (ages 0 to 3) increases trust in neighbors, townspeople, and relatives. The increase in trust promotes prosocial behavior. Apart from this, we find that the impact of the left-behind experience during middle childhood (ages 4 to 12) on prosocial behavior is unstable and small compared to the impact of the left-behind experience during early childhood (ages 0 to 3) on prosocial behavior. These findings underscore the significance of support in rural areas and trust in neighbors, townspeople, and relatives, thereby advancing the theory of the impact of the left-behind experience on prosocial behavior during adulthood
Compassion · Early childhood · Empathic concern · Empathy · Helping behavior · Personal distress · Prosocial behavior · Cultural Differences and Values · Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior · Social Power and Status Dynamics
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| Highly cited | No |
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