Gratitude mediates perceptions of previous generations’ prosocial behaviors and prosocial attitudes toward future generations

Abstract

ABSTRACT Challenges such as climate change involve the need for individuals living today to make choices that will benefit future generations. The purpose of this study was to investigate prosocial attitudes toward future generations among young adults (N = 620). We proposed a model in which perceptions of previous generations’ prosocial behavior effects prosocial attitudes toward future generations through gratitude and affect. Results found that perceptions of previous generations’ prosocial behaviors were associated with greater prosocial attitudes toward future generations through gratitude and positive affect but not negative affect. Overall, the results suggest that individuals who perceived previous generations as having worked to benefit them experience higher levels of gratitude and positive affect, which may lead to greater intentions to benefit future generations.