The well-being paradox: Comparing prosocial and self-kindness interventions for mental health benefits.

2024/11/11 by Maria Naclerio, Lee Lazar, ERICA HORNSTEIN +1 · 1 voice
Psychology · #Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction

paper · doi:10.1037/emo0001460

openalex publication_date 2024/11/11 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/26

Abstract

= 781), we found that participants in the other-kindness (vs. self-kindness and control) group experienced significant decreases in depression, anxiety, and loneliness from pre- to postintervention, offering compelling evidence for the mental health benefits of prosocial behavior. Unexpectedly, we also found that participants in the self-kindness (vs. other-kindness and control) group experienced significant increases in depression and anxiety. While the self-kindness group reported enjoying their acts of kindness more, the other-kindness group felt more connected. Overall, these findings reaffirm the benefits of prosocial behavior on well-being and suggest that self-kindness might not be as positive as it feels. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Discussions

• One of the most reliable ways to improve our mental health is to help others. After being randomly assigned to do just 3 acts of kindness a week, people felt significantly less depressed, anxious, an [bsky, 8 points, 4 comments]

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