A cross-sectional examination of Canadian adults’ prosocial behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been associated with distress and quality of life concerns among adults. Prosocial behavior (i.e., voluntary behavior intended to benefit another) is effective at improving individuals' mental health and well-being. COVID-19-related restrictions limit opportunities for physical and social interactions and might deter adults from engaging in prosocial acts. Impacts might be more pronounced in rural settings. The objectives of this article are to (a) provide a cross-sectional snapshot of Ontario adults' prosocialness during the initial stages of the pandemic (April-July 2020) and (b) examine whether adults' prosocial behaviors are different in urban versus rural contexts. As part of a large-scale longitudinal study, an online survey was administered to Ontario adults at baseline and included demographic information, the Prosocialness Scale for Adults (PSA), and three kindness-related questions. A total of 2,189 participants completed the survey. During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, adults experienced high levels of prosocialness (M = 39.2;SD = 5.6). No significant differences were found in relation to prosocialness between adults who lived in urban versus rural locations. Prosocial behavior during the early months of the pandemic was high among Ontarians in both urban and rural areas. Additional research should be conducted to explore prosocial behavior as an approach to mitigate some of the negative effects of the pandemic on individuals' mental health. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement Public Health Significance Statement: Ontario adults reported high levels of prosocialness during the early stages of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. These findings might inform researchers' and practitioners' understandings of prosocial behavior, including acts of kindness, as an approach to support adults' mental health. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)