Promoting positive emotions and instilling concern for the needs of others during the COVID-19 pandemic

PLoS One. 2022 Oct 7;17(10):e0272922. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272922. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to study the efficacy of the home-based Hero program in promoting positive emotions and prosocial behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample included 237 12- to 15-year-old adolescents from Argentina. The level of positive emotions and prosocial behavior toward strangers, friends and family in the adolescent intervention group increased through the three evaluation periods. The Hero program was focused on recognizing one's own emotions and provided an opportunity to reflect on different positive aspects of life, thus allowing a change in perspective related to immediate negative events. Moreover, the program provided an opportunity to change adolescents' perspective from personal worries to concerns about others, including friends, family members, and even strangers in need.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior* / psychology
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Emotions
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • Social Behavior

Grants and funding

The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This project was made possible through the support of a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation, Inc., to Belén Mesurado (TWCF0275). The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Templeton World Charity Foundation, Inc.