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Altruism and Existential Well-Being

Author

Listed:
  • Juan Xi

    (University of Akron)

  • Matthew Lee

    (University of Akron)

  • William LeSuer

    (University of Akron)

  • Peter Barr

    (University of Akron)

  • Katherine Newton

    (University of Akron)

  • Margaret Poloma

    (University of Akron)

Abstract

Recent empirical research has established that a strong purpose in life, what has been called existential well-being, has important implications in many health and behavioral outcomes. However, what factors contribute to a strong purpose in life, and the role of altruistic values and behaviors specifically, has not been well-studied. A body of literature has emphasized having a strong sense of a common bond with all humanity as the “heart” of altruism. Does a strong sense of a common bond lead to a strong purpose in life? If it does, will it do so directly or through altruistic values and behaviors generated by it? Using a national survey of 1207 US adults, this study aims to investigate links between the sense of a common bond, altruism, and existential wellbeing. We elaborate altruism into four levels of extensity, depending on whether it is directed towards family, friends, the local community, or the entire world. Results from structural equation modeling indicated that altruism at different levels of extensity accounted for over half of the variation in existential well-being. Altruistic acts and values that extended beyond family, friends, and local community offered greater benefits for existential well-being than those focusing on the “near and dear”. We also found that the sense of a common bond underlay altruism at all levels of extensity. However, this bond mattered to existential well-being only when it was realized in altruistic attitudes and acts, especially ones toward the whole world.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan Xi & Matthew Lee & William LeSuer & Peter Barr & Katherine Newton & Margaret Poloma, 2017. "Altruism and Existential Well-Being," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 12(1), pages 67-88, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ariqol:v:12:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1007_s11482-016-9453-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s11482-016-9453-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Carolyn Schwartz & Penelope Keyl & John Marcum & Rita Bode, 2009. "Helping Others Shows Differential Benefits on Health and Well-being for Male and Female Teens," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 10(4), pages 431-448, August.
    2. Margaret Poloma & Brian Pendleton, 1990. "Religious domains and general well-being," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 255-276, May.
    3. Unger, Lynette S., 1991. "Altruism as a motivation to volunteer," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 12(1), pages 71-100, March.
    4. Alan C. Acock, 2013. "Discovering Structural Equation Modeling Using Stata," Stata Press books, StataCorp LP, number dsemus.
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    Cited by:

    1. Christian WEISMAYER, 2022. "Applied Research in Quality of Life: A Computational Literature Review," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 17(3), pages 1433-1458, June.
    2. Ariel Gordy & Helen Han Wei Luo & Margo Sidline & Kimberley Brownlee, 2021. "The Missing Measure of Loneliness: A Case for Including Neededness in Loneliness Scales," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-18, December.
    3. Harry Hummels & Matthew T. Lee & Patrick Nullens & Renato Ruffini & Jennifer Hancock, 2021. "The Future on Love and Business Organizing. An Agenda for Growth and Affirmation of People and the Environment (AGAPE)," Humanistic Management Journal, Springer, vol. 6(3), pages 329-353, December.
    4. Yiyi Chen & Jiaqi Lu & Canghai Guan & Shiyang Zhang & Spencer De Li, 2022. "In the Shadow of the Casinos: The Relationship between Religion and Health in Macau," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-18, May.
    5. Yi-Fang Luo & Shu-Ching Yang & Shih-Chieh Hung & Kun-Yi Chou, 2022. "Exploring the Impacts of Preventative Health Behaviors with Respect to COVID-19: An Altruistic Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-14, June.

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