Solitary Prosociality in Later Life: An Experience Sampling Study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Social Psychology
• Mental Health

Background:

• Loneliness is a significant risk factor for older adults, a concern amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The experience of solitude can be positive or negative, influenced by the nature of the solitary activity.
• Prosocial activities are explored as a potential means to cultivate positive solitary experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether formal prosocial activity facilitates positive solitary experiences in older adults.
• To compare the impact of prosocial solitary activity on well-being versus other solitary activities.
• To understand how prosocial engagement influences affect and relatedness when individuals are alone.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 165 older adults (average age 71.13) highly committed to prosocial-program work.
• Participants completed surveys six times daily for one week to capture real-time experiences.
• Multilevel modeling was used to analyze the association between prosocial activity and well-being during solitude.

Main Results:

• Prosocial-program activity did not significantly buffer negative affect during solitude.
• Engaging in prosocial activities alone was associated with increased positive affect.
• Participation in prosocial-program work enhanced feelings of relatedness when older adults were by themselves.

Conclusions:

• Formal prosocial activity can promote positive affect and a sense of connection during solitary experiences for older adults.
• Prosocial engagement may serve as a protective factor against loneliness and its negative impacts on well-being in later life.
• The findings suggest that structured prosocial involvement can transform solitary time into a more positive and connective experience.