Compassion for others was associated with better well-being
The review found a moderate correlation, while limited intervention evidence leaves uncertain whether compassion training itself improves well-being.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Greater compassion for others was associated with better well-being in the pooled evidence. The relationship was weaker for negative affect, so it did not appear equally strong across all outcomes. Intervention findings were promising but preliminary, and inconsistent control comparisons prevent a firm conclusion that compassion training caused the improvements.
This abstract-based explanation lacks participant characteristics, follow-up timing, and confidence intervals. The intervention evidence also lacked consistent control comparisons, limiting conclusions about causality.
What researchers found
Compassion for others and overall well-being
Compassion for others in relation to well-being; no specific comparison group or assessment timeframe was reported in the abstract.
How broadly it applied
The association appeared across psychological, cognitive, and social well-being and positive affect, with weaker results for negative affect. The analysis did not find clear evidence that age, gender, or region changed the relationship; that does not establish identical associations everywhere.
What training evidence adds
The intervention analysis reported improvements after compassion training, but control comparisons were not consistently available. Without dependable comparisons, it is difficult to separate a training effect from other reasons for change over time.
The original publication
Compassion for others and well-being: a meta-analysis.
Zhuniq M, Winter F, Aguilar-Raab C
Sci Rep · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41116002
- Record checked
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