AI Insight
This study examined how self-connection relates to online prosocial behavior among 1,303 college students, finding that self-connection directly promotes helpful online behavior and also works indirectly through two pathways: belief in a just world and sense of meaning in life. The research demonstrates that these factors can work both independently and in sequence, with self-connection influencing just world beliefs, which then affects meaning in life, ultimately promoting prosocial online actions.
Why it matters
These findings provide educational institutions and mental health professionals with specific psychological factors to target when designing interventions to encourage positive online behavior among college students. Understanding these mediating pathways offers practical strategies for cultivating digital citizenship and reducing harmful online conduct.
Understand the Science
ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the relationship between self-connection and online prosocial behavior among college students, and to examine the mediating roles of belief in a just world and meaning in life.MethodsA total of 1,303 college students completed the Self-Connection Scale, the Online Prosocial Behavior Scale, the Belief in a Just World Scale, and the Meaning in Life Scale.Results(1) Self-connection positively predicted online prosocial behavior; (2) belief in a just world played a mediating role in the relationship between self-connection and online prosocial behavior; (3) meaning in life played a mediating role in the relationship between self-connection and online prosocial behavior; (4) belief in a just world and meaning in life played a serial mediating role in the relationship between self-connection and online prosocial behavior.ConclusionSelf-connection not only directly promoted online prosocial behavior among college students, but also exerted indirect effects through belief in a just world and meaning in life. These findings have important implications for fostering online prosocial behavior among college students.