Moral Beauty During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Prosocial Behavior Among Adolescents and the Inspiring Role of the Media

Rebecca N. H. de Leeuw, Thabo J. van Woudenberg, Kayla H. Green, Sophie W. Sweijen, Suzanne van de Groep, Mariska Kleemans, Sanne L. Tamboer, Eveline A. Crone, Moniek Buijzen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

In this study, we examined whether adolescents helped others during the COVID-19 pandemic and how stories in the media inspired them in doing so. Using an online daily diary design, 481 younger adolescents (M = 15.29, SD = 1.76) and 404 older adolescents (M = 21.48, SD = 1.91) were followed for 2 weeks. Findings from linear mixed effects models demonstrated that feelings of being moved by stories in the media were related to giving emotional support to family and friends, and to helping others, including strangers. Exposure to COVID-19 news and information was found to spark efforts to support and help as well and keeping physical distance in line with the advised protective behaviors against COVID-19. Moreover, helping others was related to increased happiness. Overall, the findings of this study highlight the potential role of the media in connecting people in times of crisis.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)131-156
Number of pages26
JournalCommunication Research
Volume50
Issue number2
Early online dateAug 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This study is part of a project that has been funded by the NWO Spinoza Prize awarded to Prof. Dr. Eveline A. Crone.

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2022.

Research programs

  • ESSB PSY

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