Altruism in adolescents and young adults: validation of an instrument to measure generative altruism with structural equation modeling

Aim of this study was to develop and test a research instrument to measure generative and functional altruism in adolescents/young adults. In an anonymous questionnaire survey using standardised questionnaires, 873 students were recruited in academic high schools and professional schools. The 7-item...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Büssing, Arndt 1962- (Author) ; Kerksieck, Philipp (Author) ; Günther, Andreas (Author) ; Baumann, Klaus 1963- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Taylor & Francis 2013
In: International journal of children's spirituality
Year: 2013, Volume: 18, Issue: 4, Pages: 335-350
Further subjects:B Questionnaire
B Young adults
B Students
B Compassion
B Altruism
B Adolescents
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Rights Information:InC 1.0
Description
Summary:Aim of this study was to develop and test a research instrument to measure generative and functional altruism in adolescents/young adults. In an anonymous questionnaire survey using standardised questionnaires, 873 students were recruited in academic high schools and professional schools. The 7-item Generative Altruism Scale (GALS), which includes affective and behavioural elements, correlated with relevant external measures that correspond with the underlying construct. Confirmatory factor analysis proved an acceptable model fit with characteristics of χ2 [df = 14, N = 846] = 129.946, p < .001, CFI = .91, AIC = 157.946, and SRMR = .048. Female and male students differed significantly with respect to altruism scores (F = 25.5; p < .0001). The GALS could be used for empirical studies analysing the connection between altruism and the development of ethical values and prosocial behaviour. Particularly, compassion as an intrinsic motivator could be fostered in appropriate education programmes.
ISSN:1469-8455
Contains:Enthalten in: International journal of children's spirituality
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1080/1364436X.2013.849661