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Prosocial behavior is undertaken voluntarily to benefit others and includes a range of actions, such as helping, sharing, caring, and comforting. Our study concerned psychological mechanisms stimulating prosocial behavior explaining it from both the within-individual (daily fluctuations) and inter-individual (individual differences) perspectives. We tested a model in which positive orientation and positive affect directly predict within-individual variability in prosocial behavior and in which positive affect mediates the relationship between positive orientation and daily prosocial behavior. These two-level mediation mechanisms were investigated using an intensive longitudinal study design with seven daily measurements on a sample of 181 undergraduates and 1119 daily observations. The results confirm that, with personality traits, sex, and prosocial behavior during the previous day adjusted for, inter- and within-individual variability in positive orientation predict daily prosocial behavior. Inter-individual variability in positive affect is a significant predictor of prosocial behavior and a mediator between positive orientation and daily prosocial behavior. No such mediation mechanism was detected for within-individual variability in positive affect. These results suggest several recommendations on how to stimulate prosocial behavior. By stimulating the general tendency to cultivate positive affective experiences and to view life in a positive light, it may be possible to prepare people to notice and respond to the needs of others.

The article presents the development and validation of the instrumental practice–related affect measure (IPAM), based on the circumplex model of affect. This 16-item measure assesses four types of affect related to practicing a musical instrument: anxiety, comfort, depression, and enthusiasm. We conducted two studies. Confirmatory factor analysis supports the measure’s four-factor structure, allowing also for the distinction of two higher-order factors: positive and negative affect. The IPAM scales are highly reliable and correlate with affective traits, confirming the validity of the measure. The IPAM allows for capturing affective experiences in the musical learning context, in both basic and applied research.

The aim of our study was to test the effectiveness of the “three good things for others” intervention. We used the randomized controlled trial method, with four measurements (pretest, posttest, follow-up after 2 weeks, follow-up after 4 weeks) and with random assignment of participants to experimental and placebo control groups. We investigated the effects of the intervention on prosocial behavior, and in addition on positive and negative affect, and positive orientation (a general tendency to approach reality in a positive way). The results showed an increase in positive affect and a decrease in negative affect in the experimental group a day after the intervention. These effects, however, did not endure over the next 2 or 4 weeks. We also observed a statistically significant increase in prosocial behavior in the placebo control group, in which participants were engaged in a task of recalling childhood memories. The results are discussed and recommendations for future studies are proposed.

Negative mood regulation expectancies (NMRE) are associated with different kinds of affect, different behaviors, and various psychological and physiological characteristics. However, the extent to which they are related to particular areas of physiological or psychological functioning has not been determined yet. The purpose of this review was to systematically identify the variables associated with NMRE in correlational studies. Forty studies met the criteria and were included in the narrative synthesis. NMRE correlates were classified into five categories: (1) affect; (2) coping, adjustment, and emotion regulation; (3) attachment and relationships; (4) psychological and physiological symptoms; (5) general characteristics and psychological resources. There is strong evidence of a relationship between NMRE and affect, and high NMRE are often associated with low depression and low anxiety. Many studies show a positive relationship between NMRE and adaptive coping and a negative relationship of NMRE to maladaptive situational coping and somatic symptoms. Mixed results were found for the relationships of NMRE to stress and social desirability. This review shows which NMRE correlates have rarely been studied and can guide further research. Understanding the correlations between NMRE and various psychological and physiological factors is the first step to planning research on cause-and-effect mechanisms and to designing health-related interventions.

Negative mood regulation expectancies (NMRE) are individuals’ beliefs about their ability to ease unpleasant emotions. Such beliefs may influence affective states; there is, however, little knowledge on what types of affect are related to NMRE. The current review aims to identify and discuss the affective correlates of NMRE in non-clinical adult samples. We found 44 studies exploring 22 affective correlates of NMRE. There is strong and consistent evidence of relations between NMRE and depression, anxiety, stress, negative affect, and positive affect, with low NMRE related to high negative affect variables and low positive affect variables. Limited evidence indicates negative relationships of NMRE to burnout, shame, and loneliness. The results are relevant to clinical practice, research, and theory development.