Prosocial and aggressive related behaviors: the role of positivity and social support during the pandemic

The following work was aimed to explore whether positivity and family’ and friends ‘support influence prosocial-related (i.e., actions and feelings; Luengo Kanacri et al., 2021) and aggressive-related behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. Using a sample of 1169 young Italian adults (18-35 years), the study focused on developmental differences, comparing emerging adults (18-25 years) and young adults (26-35 years). Results of the multi-group path analysis evidenced different pathways conducive to the enactment of prosocial and aggressive-related behaviors, equal for both age groups. Positivity was positively associated with family and friends’ support. In particular, friends’ support fully mediated the relations between positivity and prosocial-related behaviors, while family support partially mediated the relations between positivity and rule-breaking behaviors. In summary, our study investigated the protective role of both positivity and social support on youth prosocial- and aggressive-related behaviors. Results evidenced protective psychological and psychosocial factors that affected youth adjustment during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, an unexpected and prolonged period of isolation for most people in Italy. Results Overall, the findings of this study supported a theoretical model in which positivity and social support may have beneficial effects on youth’s adjustment. The practical implications will be discussed.