Promoting Adolescent Well-Being through Moral Emotions: A Multi-Method Examination of the Role of Moral Elevation and Prosocial Behavior in Life Satisfaction

Moral elevation, a positively valenced emotion elicited by witnessing virtuous acts, has been increasingly recognized as a catalyst for moral motivation and personal well-being. Drawing upon the Broaden-and-Build Theory and Self-Determination Theory, this research explores how moral elevation contributes to adolescent life satisfaction, both directly and through the mediating role of prosocial behavior. Three studies were conducted to test five hypotheses. Study 1 employed a two-wave longitudinal design among 920 adolescents, revealing that moral elevation positively predicted life satisfaction and that prosocial behavior partially mediated this relationship. Study 2 used Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) to identify whether moral elevation and prosocial behavior are not only predictive but necessary conditions for high life satisfaction. Results showed that both variables constituted critical psychological thresholds: moral elevation was a large-level necessary condition, while prosocial behavior was of medium-level necessity. Study 3 implemented an 8-week randomized controlled trial, confirming that moral elevation interventions significantly improved life satisfaction. Together, these findings offer robust empirical support for the psychological centrality of moral emotions and social engagement in promoting adolescent well-being. Theoretical implications for positive psychology and practical guidance for school-based interventions are discussed. Trial registration: International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) registry, ISRCTN14856201. Registered on 24 September 2024.