Published on
10/09/2026 - 15:56 GMT+2
People who display compassion towards others, animals and themselves experience better well-being outcomes than those who show only external or only internal compassion, according to researchers at McGill University in Canada.
The finding challenges the assumption that caring for others is always psychologically beneficial. According to the study, compassion only "counts" for well-being when it's paired with compassion for oneself.
“Many people, especially caregivers, educators, health professionals, parents and activists, may be very caring toward others while being harsh or neglectful toward themselves,” said Bassam Khoury, lead author of the study at McGill.
