Engagement in meaningful social relationships has long been associated with improved psychological well-being and brain health. Prosocial behaviors—such as kindness, cooperation, and supportive interactions—not only benefit the recipients but also enhance the mental and emotional health of those who engage in them. Existing research suggests that routines of prosocial engagement can strengthen social bonds, increase a sense of belonging, and support emotional regulation.

Importantly, social support has been shown to be a significant protective factor for a range of health issues, underscoring its vital role in safeguarding both mental and physical well-being across the lifespan.

Despite these known benefits, practical insights into the neuropsychological mechanisms linking everyday social connectedness, prosocial behaviors, and emotional well-being remain limited and would benefit from further empirical research. This is especially relevant for individuals affected by social adversity, such as low social support, exposure to substance use, or psychological stress, whose brain health and emotional regulation may be particularly impacted by their social environments.

This Research Topic seeks submissions that explore the links between social connection, prosocial behavior, and neuropsychological outcomes. We are interested in studies focusing on:

• How social relationships and family attachment styles contribute to resilience or vulnerability to emotional difficulties.
• The effects of prosocial engagement on cognitive and emotional functioning in healthy individuals and clinical populations.
• The role of social support and connectedness as protective factors in promoting adaptive emotional regulation, decision-making, and overall health.
• The neurodevelopmental aspects of social behavior and emotional well-being.
• The influence of social and family factors on patterns of brain activity associated with emotional health.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Promoting brain health and emotional regulation through prosocial behaviors, social connectedness, and AI