Emotion and Altruism: The Psychological Foundations of Community Mental Health Responses
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61978/psychosocia.v3i1.786Keywords:
Prosocial Behavior, Empathy, Moral Decision-Making, Mental Health Intervention, Social Norms, Cultural Context, Community-Based ProgramsAbstract
This narrative review investigates the intersection of psychological, emotional, and contextual determinants in prosocial behavior and moral decision-making within mental health frameworks. The study aims to synthesize current empirical and comparative findings on how variables such as empathy, guilt, social norms, and cultural settings shape individual responses in social contexts. The review employed a rigorous literature search across four major academic databases—PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar—using Boolean combinations of keywords including "mental health," "community-based intervention," "psychosocial support," and "prosocial behavior." Inclusion criteria centered on peer-reviewed studies involving experimental and cross-cultural methodologies within the past decade. Findings indicate that emotions such as guilt and empathy significantly impact moral choices and prosocial tendencies, especially within environments characterized by collective norms and community support. Cultural comparisons reveal that collectivist societies exhibit stronger emotional responses and higher propensities for altruistic behavior. Moreover, contextual elements like group pressure, power dynamics, and access to supportive structures further modulate behavioral outcomes. Despite these insights, systemic barriers such as policy fragmentation and societal stigma remain significant impediments. The study underscores the importance of integrating emotional intelligence, social norm transformation, and structural support into mental health strategies. It recommends community-engaged interventions, digital advocacy, and cross-sector partnerships to promote sustainable solutions. These findings offer actionable implications for policy reform and future empirical research aimed at enhancing prosocial engagement globally.
References
Annesi, J., & Tennant, G. (2013). Mediation of social cognitive theory variables in the relationship of exercise and improved eating in sedentary adults with severe obesity. Psychology Health & Medicine, 18(6), 714–724. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2013.766354 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2013.766354
Batorsky, A., Bowden, A., Darwin, J., Fields, A., Greco, C., Harris, R., … & McCumber, M. (2023). The back pain consortium (bacpac) research program data harmonization: rationale for data elements and standards. Pain Medicine, 24(Supplement_1), S95–S104. https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnad008 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnad008
Bertman, V., Petracca, F., Makunike-Chikwinya, B., Jonga, A., Dupwa, B., Jenami, N., … & Downer, A. (2019). Health worker text messaging for blended learning, peer support, and mentoring in pediatric and adolescent hiv/aids care: a case study in zimbabwe. Human Resources for Health, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-019-0364-6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-019-0364-6
Córdova, D., Parra‐Cardona, J., Blow, A., Johnson, D., Prado, G., & Fitzgerald, H. (2014). ‘they don't look at what affects us’: the role of ecodevelopmental factors on alcohol and drug use among latinos with physical disabilities. Ethnicity and Health, 20(1), 66–86. https://doi.org/10.1080/13557858.2014.890173 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13557858.2014.890173
Cruwys, T., Brossard, B., Zhou, H., Helleren-Simpson, G., Klik, K., Rooy, D., … & Calear, A. (2021). Disciplinary differences in the study of the relationship between social variables and mental health: a systematic mapping review. Health: An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health, Illness and Medicine, 27(5), 810–828. https://doi.org/10.1177/13634593211063049 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/13634593211063049
Farrell, E., Hollmann, E., Roux, C., Nadglowski, J., & McGillicuddy, D. (2022). At home and at risk: the experiences of irish adults living with obesity during the covid-19 pandemic. EClinicalMedicine, 51, 101568. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101568 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101568
Gegač, J., Greb, N., & Babac, M. (2025). Exploring the via classification of human strengths and virtues using topic modeling. Information Discovery and Delivery. https://doi.org/10.1108/idd-10-2023-0116 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IDD-10-2023-0116
Gershuny, J., Sullivan, O., Sevilla, A., Vega-Rapun, M., Foliano, F., Grignon, J., … & Walthéry, P. (2021). A new perspective from time use research on the effects of social restrictions on covid-19 behavioral infection risk. PLOS ONE, 16(2), e0245551. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0245551 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0245551
Girolamo, G., Rocchetti, M., Benzi, I., Agosta, S., Casiraghi, L., Ferrari, C., … & Starace, F. (2020). Daily time use, physical activity, quality of care and interpersonal relationships in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (diapason): an italian multicentre study. BMC Psychiatry, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02588-y DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02588-y
Hayas, C., Izco-Basurko, I., Fullaondo, A., Gabrielli, S., Zwiefka, A., Hjemdal, O., … & Keenoy, E. (2019). Upright, a resilience-based intervention to promote mental well-being in schools: study rationale and methodology for a european randomized controlled trial. BMC Public Health, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-7759-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-7759-0
Horton, N., Drayton, M., Wilcox, D., & Dymond, H. (2022). Evaluating the effectiveness of resilience-building training within the national health service in the uk. The Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice, 17(6), 538–549. https://doi.org/10.1108/jmhtep-05-2021-0048 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-05-2021-0048
Hussain, M., Luu, T., & Marjoribanks, T. (2025). How and when paternalistic leadership influences service innovative behaviour while inhibiting counterproductive work behaviour among healthcare professionals: the roles of perceived supervisor support and public service motivation. Journal of Health Organization and Management, 39(9), 71–95. https://doi.org/10.1108/jhom-08-2024-0333 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JHOM-08-2024-0333
Lichtenthaler, U. (2021). Why being sustainable is not enough: embracing a net positive impact. Journal of Business Strategy, 44(1), 13–20. https://doi.org/10.1108/jbs-09-2021-0153 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JBS-09-2021-0153
Mao, A., Willard‐Grace, R., Dubbin, L., Aronson, L., Fernández, A., Burke, N., … & Davis, E. (2017). Perspectives of low-income chronically ill patients on complex care management. Families Systems & Health, 35(4), 399–408. https://doi.org/10.1037/fsh0000260 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/fsh0000260
Maynard, D. (2023). Capacity building in mental health: preparing caribbean psychologists for the future. The Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice, 18(3), 195–204. https://doi.org/10.1108/jmhtep-08-2022-0067 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-08-2022-0067
Mertz, M., Inthorn, J., Renz, G., Rothenberger, L., Salloch, S., Schildmann, J., … & Schicktanz, S. (2014). Research across the disciplines: a road map for quality criteria in empirical ethics research. BMC Medical Ethics, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6939-15-17 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6939-15-17
Mirković, J., Jessen, S., Kristjánsdóttir, Ó., Krogseth, T., Koricho, A., & Ruland, C. (2018). Developing technology to mobilize personal strengths in people with chronic illness: positive codesign approach. JMIR Formative Research, 2(1), e10774. https://doi.org/10.2196/10774 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2196/10774
Scarton, L., & Groot, M. (2016). Emotional and behavioral aspects of diabetes in american indians/alaska natives. Health Education & Behavior, 44(1), 70–82. https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198116639289 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198116639289
Thomas, B., Shanmugam, P., Muniyandi, M., Ovung, S., Suresh, C., Subbaraman, R., … & Nagarajan, K. (2016). Psycho-socio-economic issues challenging multidrug resistant tuberculosis patients: a systematic review. PLOS ONE, 11(1), e0147397. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0147397 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0147397
Tsai, J., O’Toole, T., & Kearney, L. (2017). Homelessness as a public mental health and social problem: new knowledge and solutions. Psychological Services, 14(2), 113–117. https://doi.org/10.1037/ser0000164 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/ser0000164
Turchi, G., Bassi, D., Agnoletti, C., Riva, M., Iudici, A., & Orrù, L. (2023). What are they gonna think about me? an innovative text analysis on social anxiety and taijin kyofusho through madit methodology. Human Arenas, 8(2), 379–393. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42087-023-00328-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42087-023-00328-8
Vidal, N., León‐García, M., Jiménez, M., Bermúdez, K., & Vos, P. (2020). Community and health staff perceptions on non-communicable disease management in el salvador’s health system: a qualitative study. BMC Health Services Research, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-05249-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-05249-8
Virole, L., Gabarro, C., & Ricadat, É. (2024). Social support for the chronically ill during lockdown. qualitative research in the covid‐19 pandemic. Sociology of Health & Illness, 47(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9566.13845 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9566.13845
Voіtenko, A. (2022). Biopsychosocial factors of the prosecutor’s professional activity. Соціально-Правові Студії, 5(4). https://doi.org/10.32518/2617-4162-2022-5-4-46-55 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32518/2617-4162-2022-5-4-46-55
Wainaina, C., Sidze, E., Maina, B., Badillo-Amberg, I., Anyango, H., Kathoka, F., … & Okoror, C. (2021). Psychosocial challenges and individual strategies for coping with mental stress among pregnant and postpartum adolescents in nairobi informal settlements: a qualitative investigation. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-04128-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-04128-2
Wang, Y., Xue, H., Chen, H., & Igusa, T. (2014). Examining social norm impacts on obesity and eating behaviors among us school children based on agent-based model. BMC Public Health, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-923 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-923
