Individuals’ Prosocial Behaviors in the Aftermath of the 2024 Flood in Poland: The Role of Empathy, Norm Activation, and Moral Emotions

Abstract This three-wave study examined psychological correlates of four forms of helping flood victims: monetary donations, in-kind gifts, volunteering in one’s place of residence, and volunteering at the flood site. This study drew on the Empathy–Altruism Hypothesis and the Norm Activation Model. Data were collected in February, April, and June 2025 from 1,028 Polish adults (M = 48.85, SD = 13.68). Results showed that affective and cognitive empathy, and pride, were positively associated with monetary and in-kind donations. Awareness of consequences was positively associated with both forms of donation, and negatively with on-site volunteering. Responsibility ascription and personal norms were positively associated with donations and volunteering in participants’ place of residence. Guilt was positively associated with on-site volunteering. Most wave × covariate interactions were not statistically significant. The findings indicate that psychological correlates differ across forms of disaster-related support, underscoring the value of examining these behaviors separately.