Abstract
Theory of mind (ToM) and empathy are two major influencers of prosocial behavior (PsB). Some scholars hold that children with advanced ToM and high capacity for empathy are more likely to act prosocially, but the empirical findings are mixed. To clarify the relation between ToM/empathy and PsB, we conducted two meta-analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies that met appropriate inclusion criteria. In study 1, a total of 24 studies including 16, 265 participants aged 2 ~ 19 years were identified as eligible for inclusion, and 88 effect sizes for ToM-PsB were yielded. The results showed that there was a significant positive correlation between PsB and ToM (r = 0.24, 95%CI [0.18, 0.31]). Age, PsB measurement method and the cultural background had no significant moderating effect on the relationship between ToM and PsB. The ToM measurement method played a borderline significant role in moderating the relationship between ToM and PsB. In study 2, a total of 29 studies including 23, 304 participants aged 2 ~ 19 years were identified as eligible for inclusion, and 89 effect sizes for empathy-PsB were yielded. The results showed that there was a significant positive correlation between PsB and empathy (r = 0.36, 95%CI [0.30, 0.41]). Age, the measurement methods of PsB and the cultural background moderated the relationship between empathy and PsB. In conclusion, the studies integrate previous researches on the correlations between ToM/empathy and PsB, explores the causes of inconsistency (i.e., the test of moderating variables), and verifies the important role of social understanding (ToM/empathy) in PsB.
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Data availability
The data that support the findings of this study are openly available in the supplementary materials (Table S1, S2 and Code in Meta-analysis).
References
References marked with an asterisk (*) indicate studies included in the meta-analysis.
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Funding
This research was supported by Research Department of Shihezi University in China (Grant Nos. CXFZSK202205) and Chinese Young Pioneers Research Project 2022 (Grant Nos. 2022YB16).
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Xin Qiu: Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing;
Man Gao: Conceptualization, Methodology;
Wenlong Li: Retrieving, screening, and coding literature;
Rong Jiang: Retrieving, screening, and coding literature;
Haidong Zhu: Supervision, Editing. Funding.
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Qiu, X., Gao, M., Zhu, H. et al. Theory of mind, empathy, and prosocial behavior in children and adolescent: a meta-analysis. Curr Psychol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-05762-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-05762-7