The Predictive Power of Altruism and Prosocial Behavior on Hope: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the extent to which altruism and prosocial behaviors can predict levels of hope among individuals. Drawing from psychological and social frameworks, it hypothesized that both altruistic actions and prosocial behaviors would be significant predictors of an individual's hope. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, this research involved 360 participants selected through convenience and purposive sampling methods. Data were collected via validated self-report measures, including Snyder’s Hope Scale, the Self-Report Altruism Scale (SRA), and the Prosocial Tendencies Measure (PTM). Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted using SPSS-26 to examine the predictive relationship between altruism, prosocial behavior, and hope. The results indicated that both altruism (β = 0.34, p < 0.01) and prosocial behavior (β = 0.35, p < 0.01) significantly predict hope, accounting for approximately 38% of its variance (Adjusted R² = 0.38). These findings underscore the substantial roles that altruism and prosocial behaviors play in fostering hope among individuals. The study confirms that altruism and prosocial behaviors are significant predictors of hope, suggesting that engaging in acts of kindness and social support can enhance individuals' hopeful outlook towards the future. These insights contribute to the psychological literature on hope and prosociality and offer practical implications for fostering hope through altruistic and prosocial interventions.