Prosocial Behavior as an Antidote to Social Disconnection: The Effects of an Acts of Kindness Intervention on Daily Social Contact and Loneliness

Abstract

There is an urgent need for effective and easily accessible interventions targeting young adults’ social connection. This study tests whether engaging in prosocial behavior can mitigate social disconnection using an acts of kindness intervention that can be easily integrated into people’s daily routine. University students were randomly assigned to one of two kinds of 14-day kindness exercises (regular or anonymous) or an active control activity. 388 participants completed diary assessments of social contact and loneliness before and after the intervention. Results showed that the intervention promoting prosocial engagement increased social contact (especially with close others) and reduced daily loneliness for lonely participants. Anonymous kindness did not yield these outcomes, suggesting that direct contact with recipients may be an active ingredient driving such effects. This research provides a self-delivered and low-cost intervention that holds promise to reduce both objective social isolation and subjective feelings of loneliness among young adults.