Authentic and Non-authentic Benevolence: Self-Determination Theory as a Framework to Establish Links to Well-Being

Prosocial motivations and their consequences are generally explored along two axes: (1) their degree of autonomy/control; and (2) their degree of altruism/selfishness. This study combined these dichotomies to elucidate the theoretical concept of authentic benevolence (defined as benevolence where the individual acts autonomously without expectation of reciprocity, thus completely altruistically); and to explore the effects of benevolence motivations on well-being by creating the Benevolence Motivation Scale (BMS). To this end, 409 participants aged between 17 and 77 years took part in a cross-sectional study and completed various well-being measures, including the BMS. An exploratory-confirmatory factor analysis and second-order analyses showed that a model with two latent second-order factors, named authentic benevolence and non-authentic benevolence, fit the data. Correlational analyses highlighted that only authentic benevolence was positively related to authenticity, empathy, life satisfaction, positive emotions, psychological fulfillment and satisfying social relationships; whereas non-authentic benevolence was negatively correlated with authenticity, life satisfaction and positive emotions. Findings from structural equation modeling supported: (1) the positive impact of authentic benevolence on positive and negative emotions, and the negative impact of non-authentic benevolence on positive emotions; and (2) the effects of satisfying the basic needs described by Self Determination Theory on the adoption of one of the two forms of benevolence. The findings are discussed within the broader context of prosocial motivations.