Dr. Zhixuan (Molly) Lin

• Motivational and goal changes across the lifespan

• Interplay of motivation and prosocial behaviors across the lifespan

• Meaningful engagement in older adulthood

Building on the background of theories and empirical changes about motivational and goal changes across adulthood, my current research interest focuses on the motivational factors contributing to prosocial behavior as people age. By studying these changes, I hope to contribute to a better understanding of the lifespan trajectories of social behaviors more generally, and to shed light on how to promote positive social engagement in older adults.

Lin, Z., Wong, N., Guo, Z., Kou, Y., & Fung, H. H. (2025). The Divergent and Bidirectional Relationships Between Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry and Prosocial Behaviors. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 54(4), 1014–1025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-024-02111-6

Leung, R. H. L., Lin, Z., Fung, H. H., & Ho, J. Y. (2025). Feeling hot but accepting it: The relationship between thermal perception-acceptance discrepancy and physical symptoms among older adults under hot temperatures. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 102783. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2025.102783

Gao, K., Lin, Z., Wang, R., Feng, J., Fung, H., & Ng, E. (2024). Comprehensive analysis of HVAC control factors for elderly residents in hot and humid regions: A case study in Hong Kong. Energy and Buildings, 321, 114678. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2024.114678

Lin, Z., Chin, D. C. W., Fung, H. H., Lay, J. C., & Tse, D. C. K. (2023). Hot instantaneous temperature and affect: Meaningful activities as a buffer for older adults with low socioeconomic status. Innovation in Aging, igad057. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igad057

Lin, Z., Yang, Y., & Kou, Y. (2020). The Meta-Stereotypes of Elderly People and Their Consequences for Social Interaction. Psychological Development and Education, 36(6), 686-693. https://doi.org/10.16187/j.cnki.issn1001-4918.2020.06.06