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Keep Nice and Carry On: Effect of Niceness on Well-Being

Bialobrzeska, Olga, Baba, Justyna, Bedynska, Sylwia, Cichocka, Aleksandra, Cislak, Aleksandra, Formanowicz, Magdalena, Goclowska, Malgorzata A., Jakubik, Zuzanna, Kozakiewicz, Karolina (2023) Keep Nice and Carry On: Effect of Niceness on Well-Being. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 45 (5). pp. 138-156. ISSN 0197-3533. E-ISSN 1532-4834. (doi:10.1080/01973533.2023.2239410) (KAR id:102297)

Abstract

Practicing acts of kindness is beneficial to one's well-being, but is simply being nice to others also beneficial? In a correlational Study 1 (N = 497), self-reported behavioral niceness was positively correlated with happiness, self-satisfaction, relationships satisfaction, life meaning, and negatively correlated with depression. In two experimental studies, a one-day online intervention involving acting nicely (Study 2; N = 482) and recollecting one’s nice behavior (Study 3; N = 317) resulted in higher mood, self-satisfaction, relationships satisfaction, and life meaning. The present findings suggest that acting in a nice manner, that is, in a warm and friendly way, toward others in everyday situations can promote one’s well-being. Practicing niceness also promoted subsequent voluntary nice behavior.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1080/01973533.2023.2239410
Uncontrolled keywords: niceness, well-being, prosocial behavior, COVID-19, social relationships
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion
B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Funders: European Association of Social Psychology (https://ror.org/0251g2d64)
Depositing User: Aleksandra Cichocka
Date Deposited: 31 Jul 2023 10:16 UTC
Last Modified: 23 Jul 2024 23:00 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/102297 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Cichocka, Aleksandra.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1703-1586
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