Relationship between Prosocial Behaviours and Addiction Problems: A Systematic Review

Healthcare (Basel). 2021 Dec 31;10(1):74. doi: 10.3390/healthcare10010074.

Abstract

The relationship of addiction problems with other pathologies or with different problematic factors has often been studied by psychology. Positive psychology is also currently approaching to these problems and their relationship with positive factors, such as prosocial behaviours. The purpose of this research is to carry out a systematic review of the scientific literature that has studied this relationship from 1900 to 2020. After the screening process with the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 15 articles were selected. The main characteristics found in this relationship and the problems or limitations of investigations that have found relationships other than the mainstream, which show a negative relationship between prosocial behaviours and addiction problems, are discussed.

Keywords: addiction; gambling; positive psychology; prosocial behaviour; substance abuse.

Publication types

  • Review