Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-20-2026
Abstract
Helping others is a good way to help prevent psychological disorders. The literature reviewed here points towards a protective and mitigating effect on symptoms of anxiety and depression brought upon by prosocial behaviors. Prosocial behavior is associated with higher positive moods in participants with depression (Schacter & Margolin, 2019), it is negatively correlated with feelings of reported rates of depression, anxiety and isolation (Naclerio et al., 2026), and seems to have a protective effect against development and exacerbation of anxiety (Okuyucu et al., 2024). All of that indicates that encouraging these behaviors lead to more positive mental health outcomes without risk to the people involved
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Recommended Citation
Matheus Muniz Pereira Vargas. "Helping Others to Help Yourself: Effects of Prosocial Behavior on Anxiety and Depression" (2026). Psychology Student Publications. 138.
https://commons.und.edu/psych-stu/138