Adult Attachment and Altruistic Behavior: The Mediating Role of Empathy

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of adult attachment on altruistic behavior and the mediating role of empathy. Nine hundred students answered an online survey, in which they were asked about adult attachment, empathy, and altruistic behavior towards family members, friends, and other people. The results of structural equation modeling indicated that while empathic concern mediated negative effects of attachment avoidance and positive effects of attachment anxiety on altruistic behavior, personal distress mediated negative effects of attachment anxiety on altruistic behavior.