Relationships between prosocial factors and college student health

Abstract

<b>Objective</b> This study examined relationships between prosocial factors including altruism, compassion, social connectedness, spirituality, and volunteerism and measures of health in college students. <b>Participants:</b> A total of N = 1,075 participants from four institutions across various regions of the U.S. were included. <b>Methods:</b> Participants were sent email invitation via student listserv to participate in a survey of health and prosocial factors that was open for one month. <b>Results:</b> Hierarchical linear regressions were completed to examine the influence of prosocial variables on perceptions of health and engagement in health behaviors. Social connectedness was a significant contributor to variance in all health measures, and the variables with the most variance explained were symptoms of depression (28.6%) and Health-Related Quality of Life (24.6%). <b>Conclusions:</b> Institutions should prioritize programing to enhance social connectedness and other prosocial behaviors because of the positive effect these factors can have on health and health behaviors.