Altruistic Social Interest Behaviors Are Associated With Better Mental Health

Schwartz, Carolyn E.; Meisenhelder, Janice Bell; Ma, Yunsheng; Reed, George W.

doi:10.1097/01.psy.0000079378.39062.d4

Cited by 307 publications

(194 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…close relationship or stranger), and the severity of the recipient's problem may all influence the providers' psychological wellbeing in the course of supporting others (Clark & Reis, 1988;Nijboer et al, 1999). For instance, a community-based study of the benefits of helping others suggested that when care tasks overwhelmed the provider, the support appeared to be negatively associated with the helper's mental health (Schwartz et al, 2003). Therefore, future research aimed at stress-specific (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Depressive symptoms and unmitigated communion in support providers

et al. 2010

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In this research, we argue and demonstrate that the association between enacted (un)supportive behaviour and depressive symptoms is a function of the providers' levels of unmitigated communion (UC). UC is characterized by overinvolvement in others' problems, self-neglect and externalized self-evaluation. These characteristics appear to predispose individuals high in UC to experience depressive symptoms. As anticipated, we show that enacted supportive behaviour was negatively associated with depressive symptoms (Study 1 and 2), and enacted unsupportive behaviour was positively associated with depressive symptoms (Study 2), but only among individuals low in UC. Our findings are consistent with the idea that for high UC individuals, enacting supportive behaviour, or not enacting unsupportive behaviour, is insufficient to reduce their high levels of depressive symptoms.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Depressive symptoms and unmitigated communion in support providers

et al. 2010

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“…Social connectedness may play a more important role later in the recovery process, and may be more relevant for mental health outcomes rather than disability outcomes. In past research in adults, such altruistic social interest behaviors were associated with higher levels of mental health [22], and lower mortality [23], and males and females seemed to have different aspects of well-being associated with such behaviors [20].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relevance of Lifestyle and Attitudinal Factors to Spine Surgery Outcomes: Empirical Results on a Heterogeneous Sample

Schwartz¹,

Quaranto²,

Samaha³

et al. 2011

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Background Context: Patient demographic and medical indicators influence the well-being of spine surgery patients. It may, however, be worthwhile to evaluate other lifestyle and attitudinal factors. We hypothesized that such factors would explain at least as much variance in outcome as more commonly considered covariates. Purpose: To compare explained variance in outcome of lifestyle and attitudinal factors as compared to standard demographic and medical covariates. Study Design/Setting: Cross-sectional observational study of patients drawn from an active clinic and internet-based support group. Patient Sample: A heterogeneous sample of 376 patients was recruited, comprised of people with diagnoses of cervical (n = 80), lumbar (n = 228), and scoliosis (n = 68) spine disorders. Outcome Measures: Quality of Life (QOL) outcomes were measured using the Oswestry Disability Index, Neck Disability Index, Rand-36, PROMIS Pain Impact, NRS Back and Leg Pain, Scoliosis Research Society-22r, and Global Health. Methods: This study compared explained variance in QOL outcomes of demographic and medical versus lifestyle and attitudinal factors. Demographic and medical factors included age, gender, body mass index, and co-morbidities. Lifestyle factors included exercise and commuting practice. Attitudinal factors related to social connectedness: giving and receiving emotional support, feeling overwhelmed by others' needs, helping orientation, and general helping behaviors. Regression analyses estimated explained variance. Patient groups differed in most factors evaluated, so the regression analyses were computed separately by group. R2 statistics were characterized as null, small (0.02), medium (0.15), and large (0.35) effect sizes (ES), and proportions were compared for the medical/demographic versus lifestyle/attitudinal factors by group. Results: Similar proportions of variance were explained by demographic/medical and lifestyle/attitudinal covariates across groups, with half of effect sizes being small in magnitude and 6% being medium. Lumbar patients tended to have more small effect sizes among lifestyle and attitudinal covariates than among medical/demographic covariates (z = -1.29, p < 0.10). Similar patterns were found for both generic and disease-specific outcomes. Conclusions: Spine surgery outcome research should investigate lifestyle and attitudinal factors to enhance the personal and salutogenic relevance of the research. Time spent commuting, exercise practice, and social connectedness appear to be relevant factors. A pre-operative evaluation of overweight and smoking status, limited social connectedness, and long daily commutes could alert the surgeon to delay or avoid performing procedures on these patients to avoid poor outcomes.

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“…According to a small body of literature that explores the phenomenon of helping others, engaging in such activities could actually serve to help improve psychological well-being for individuals, regardless of their level of adaptation. It is important to note, however, that helping others may not be appropriate for everyone; that feeling overwhelmed by the demands of others and giving beyond one's resources may have a negative effect [Schwartz, et al, 2003]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The art of coping with a craniofacial difference: Helping others through “Positive Exposure”

Loewenstein

Sutton

Guidotti³

et al. 2008

American J of Med Genetics Pt A

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Finding ways to cope with social stigmatization is an important aspect of achieving adaptation for people living with visible genetic differences. This study describes the way individuals with craniofacial differences use an innovative photography and video experience with Positive Exposure (PE), a non-profit organization based in New York City, as a way to cope with their conditions. Thirty-five individuals between 12 and 61 years of age participated in this study. We administered surveys comprised of open-ended qualitative questions and quantitative measures designed to assess self-esteem, perceived stigma, and hopefulness. Data for this analysis was generated from the written questionnaires and interview transcripts.Most participants reported high levels of self-esteem and hopefulness, suggesting that they were relatively well adapted to their condition. Almost all participants described experiences of stigmatization throughout their lives. However, participants demonstrated their ability to implement a variety of coping strategies to manage stigma. 'Helping others' emerged as a prominent strategy among participants, aiding in the often lifelong process of adapting to their genetic difference. PE was described as an avenue through which participants could reach out to individuals and society at large, helping them adapt further to their condition. 'Helping others' may also benefit individuals with craniofacial differences who do not consider themselves to be well adapted to their condition. Health care providers can collaborate with PE, advocacy groups and other community or support groups to identify additional ways individuals with craniofacial differences can help themselves by reaching out to others.

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Altruistic Social Interest Behaviors Are Associated With Better Mental Health

Cited by 307 publications

References 31 publications

Depressive symptoms and unmitigated communion in support providers

Depressive symptoms and unmitigated communion in support providers

Relevance of Lifestyle and Attitudinal Factors to Spine Surgery Outcomes: Empirical Results on a Heterogeneous Sample

The art of coping with a craniofacial difference: Helping others through “Positive Exposure”

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