A prosocial manipulation produces increases in positive affect and prosocial behavior, but not related to borderline traits

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Shannon J. Adcock (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Rosemery Nelson-Gray

Abstract: This study examined the effects—on mood and subsequent prosocial behavior—of a prosocial behavioral manipulation in individuals who varied in levels of borderline personality disorder traits. Female undergraduate participants (final N = 230) were randomly assigned to either write an encouraging letter to a person experiencing hardship (“prosocial” condition) or to write a letter describing their typical day (control condition). Baseline measurements of mood (using the Positive and Negative Affect Scale [PANAS]) were taken and compared with those obtained postmanipulation. Subsequent prosocial behavior was measured in two laboratory tasks that were sequential and in a constant order. As expected, participants in the prosocial condition experienced more positive mood and more prosocial behavior after the manipulation, compared to the control manipulation, but there were no differential effects related to level of borderline traits.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 2019
Keywords
Affect, Borderline Personality Disorder, Distress tolerance, Mood, Prosocial behavior
Subjects
Borderline personality disorder
Affect (Psychology)
Mood (Psychology)
Helping behavior

Email this document to