Abstract

ESPINOSA, Agustín; SALAZAR, Jimena Ferrándiz  and  ROTTENBACHER DE ROJAS, Jan Marc. Values, pro-social behavior and personal growth in university students after the august 15th, 2007 earthquake. Liberabit [online]. 2011, vol.17, n.1, pp. 49-58. ISSN 1729-4827.

This paper describes and analyzes relationship among values, pro-social behavior and personal growth after a traumatic situation such as the earthquake of August 15, 2007 in Lima Peru. On a sample of university students (N = 112), we analyzed if aid behaviors toward victims were related to Schwartz values and personal growth. Results showed that values of Selfenhancement and Openness to change were related to lower expression of Pro-social behavior. On the other hand, people who have collaborated with victims scored higher on Self-transcendence values. Although this relation was not statistically significant, it could be supported theoretically. Besides, people who are prone to aid showed higher scores in personal growth. It suggests that strengthen of cooperation in traumatic situations, could improve well-being in people.

Keywords : Values; Pro-Social Behavior; Personal Growth; Trauma.