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Thriving in Openness, Care, and Compassion: How Virtue and Compassion for Self and Others Relate to Flourishing

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  • Paul Verhaeghen

    (Georgia Institute of Technology)

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the connection between virtue, compassion for self and others, and flourishing. 11,395 individuals provided data on the virtues of Caring, Inquisitiveness, and Self-Control, compassion for self (i.e., Self-Compassion and self-Criticism) and for others (i.e., Empathy, Common Humanity, Recognizing Suffering, and Willingness to Act), and flourishing. Regression analysis showed that: (a) Caring and Inquisitiveness were associated with an individual's sense of compassion, both for self and others; and that (b) the virtues and this kind attitude towards self and others were associated with an individual’s level of flourishing, explaining 50% of the between-person variance. Women scored higher than men on all variables except Self-Control. Self-Compassion increased with age; Empathy, Common Humanity, and Recognizing Suffering showed inverted-U trends with peaks around age 40–50; Willingness to Act and Self-Criticism showed downward trends. The results suggest that being caring, open, and kind may be major determinants of fulfillment.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Verhaeghen, 2024. "Thriving in Openness, Care, and Compassion: How Virtue and Compassion for Self and Others Relate to Flourishing," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 25(1), pages 1-24, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:25:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1007_s10902-024-00725-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-024-00725-y
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