Introduction:

from the perspective of positive development, the search for well-being acquires great relevance, since it is suggested that the human being will be in constant search of well-being through the different stages of his life. This construct has been studied from two approaches: from the point of view of psychological well-being and from the point of view of subjective well-being. The literature suggests that the tendencies of contribution and help towards the people around us favor the state of well-being and healthy development, therefore, some authors indicate that prosocial behaviors should be favored especially in the adolescence stage, to promote an adequate development of individuals.

Method:

a non-experimental, cross-sectional study with a descriptive and correlational scope was carried out, the objective of which was to analyze the impact that prosocial behavior has on well-being, both psychological and subjective, in the adolescent population of Mexico. For it had a non-probabilistic convenience sample of 803 adolescents, with a mean age of 14.87 years (49.1 % were men and 50.9 % were women). The Prosocial Tendencies Instrument was used, which consists of three dimensions: 1) emotional support, 2) recognition and 3) altruism. In addition, the González-Fuentes (2013) Psychological Well-being scale was used, which is made up of seven dimensions: 1) life purpose, 2) personal rejection, 3) personal control, 4) planning for the future, 5) self-acceptance, 6) positive relationships with others, and 7) personal growth. The Dienner Life Satisfaction scale adapted for the Mexican population was also used to assess subjective well-being. All the instruments used have been previously used in the adolescent population in Mexico.

Results:

Pearson’s correlation analyzes were performed to determine the relationship between the dimensions of prosocial behavior with the dimensions of psychological well-being, as well as with subjective well-being. The results of these analyzes showed significant relationships in most of the dimensions of prosocial behavior with the dimensions of psychological well-being and subjective well-being. To analyze the effect of prosocial behavior on the dimensions of psychological and subjective well-being, multiple linear regression analyzes were performed, step by step, which showed that the dimensions of prosocial behavior were predictive variables of both subjective and psychological well-being, with percentages variance from 7 % to 24 %.

Discussion:

the data are discussed in light of the perspective of positive development, where it is stated that adolescents are a source of resources and possibilities rather than conflicts, so it is suggested to promote prosocial behaviors in them to favor their development.