Reappraising stress-related arousal enhances prosocial behavior in individuals perceiving the intervention as effective

Abstract

Background: While psychological stress is increasing globally, the conditions under which stress facilitates or hinders prosocial behavior remain elusive. To resolve heterogeneous findings, it is essential to consider the modulatory effects of individuals’ appraisals of stress as challenging versus threatening. Here, we tested the hypothesis that strengthening an individual’s challenge appraisal under stress will enhance prosocial behavior.

Methods: 121 individuals (62 women, 59 men) participated in the Trier Social Stress Test for Groups. Participants were instructed to either reappraise their upcoming arousal as adaptive (n = 61) or they performed a reading exercise without instructions on how to cope with the psychosocial stressor (n = 60). Participants then engaged in incentivised resource allocation games. The study’s design and sample characteristics were preregistered as a clinical trial (DRKS00027518).

Results: We observed no general effect of arousal reappraisal on prosocial behavior. However, reappraising stress-related arousal as a functional resource did enhance prosocial behavior in individuals who had internalized the message and found this intervention to be effective.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that cognitive stress appraisals modulate behavioral stress effects, and appraisals can be leveraged to help improve stress-related response and outcomes.