College Students’ Interpersonal Relationship and Empathy Level Predict Internet Altruistic Behavior—Empathy Level and Online Social Support as Mediators

Abstract

Relationship between online and offline behavior is close. This study investigated the relationship among college students’ interpersonal relationship, level of empathy, social support, and altruistic behavior in the online environment. Results: interpersonal relationship was positively correlated with empathy and online altruistic behavior, and there was a significant positive correlation between social support and online altruism. Complete mediating effect of empathy and online social support was significant. Conclusion: individual’s level of empathy was the mediator of offline interpersonal relationship and online altruistic behavior; online social support was the mediator of empathy and Internet altruistic behavior.