By Baha Sarieddine, MD
“People generally help if they share genes or expect some gain or feel empathy. The idea that people who can easily put themselves in someone else’s shoes engage in more altruistic behavior is seen in both real world and research settings. Research in neuroscience now suggests that people who are high in empathy show distinct patterns of brain activity.” Catherine A Sanderson
Altruism is a complicated series of decisions.
Altruism is defined as the selfless concern for the welfare of others. While there are many benefits to practicing altruism, there are also potential downsides. Here are some pros and cons of altruism, as well as how it can be related to mental health conditions:
Pros:
− Increased well-being: Engaging in acts of altruism can increase feelings of happiness and satisfaction with life.
− Improved relationships: Practicing altruism can improve relationships with others, leading to increased social support and a sense of belonging.
− Reduced stress: Helping others can reduce stress levels, as it can distract from personal problems and provide a sense of purpose.
− Greater empathy: Altruistic behavior can increase empathy for others and improve emotional regulation.
Cons:
− Burnout: Engaging in too much altruistic behavior can lead to burnout, as it can become emotionally draining to constantly prioritize the needs of others over one’s own.
− Compassion fatigue: Seeing and experiencing the suffering of others can lead to a decrease in empathy and emotional exhaustion.
− Guilt: Feelings of guilt can arise when not able to help others as much as desired or when receiving praise for altruistic acts.
− Exploitation: Practicing altruism can lead to others taking advantage of one’s kindness and generosity.
Altruism can also be related to mental health conditions in various ways:
| − | Depression: People with depression may have difficulty engaging in altruistic behavior due to a lack of energy and motivation. |
| − | Anxiety: Altruism can be a way to cope with anxiety by providing a sense of purpose and social support. |
| − | Personality disorders: Certain personality disorders, such as borderline personality disorder, may involve impulsive and self-destructive behavior that can interfere with altruistic actions. |
| − | Addiction: Altruism can be a positive way to channel addictive behaviors and provide a sense of purpose. |
Overall, while there are some potential downsides to practicing altruism, the benefits can outweigh the costs, particularly when engaging in altruism in a balanced and sustainable way. Altruism can also be a useful tool in improving mental health and well-being, particularly when used in conjunction with other therapeutic interventions.
Altruism is a selfless behavior in which an individual helps others without any expectation of reward or benefit for oneself. Altruistic behavior has been linked to numerous positive outcomes, including improved mental health, increased life satisfaction, and reduced stress levels (Rushton et al., 1981). However, it is important to consider both the pros and cons of altruism, as well as its relationship to mental health conditions.
Pros of Altruism:
| − | Improved Mental Health: Altruistic behavior has been found to have a positive effect on mental health, reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety (Wu et al., 2017). Altruistic acts can promote feelings of happiness, satisfaction, and purpose, which in turn can improve mental well-being. |
| − | Increased Social Connections: Altruistic behavior can promote social connections and improve relationships with others. This can lead to a greater sense of belonging and social support, which has been linked to improved mental health outcomes (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2010). |
| − | Greater Life Satisfaction: Altruistic behavior has been linked to greater life satisfaction and a sense of purpose in life (Helliwell & Putnam, 2004). When individuals engage in acts of kindness and helping behaviors, they may experience a greater sense of fulfillment and meaning in life. |
Cons of Altruism:
− Burnout: Engaging in too much altruistic behavior can lead to burnout and fatigue, especially if an individual neglects their own needs in the process (Van Tongeren et al., 2020). This can lead to stress and mental health issues.
− Exploitation: Altruistic individuals may be taken advantage of by others who are not as giving, leading to feelings of resentment and anger (Penner et al., 2005). This can negatively impact mental well-being.
− Guilt: Altruistic individuals may experience guilt or shame if they are unable to help everyone or if their actions do not have the intended outcome. This can lead to negative feelings and stress.
Relationship to Mental Health Conditions:
Altruistic behavior has been found to be a protective factor against the development of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety (Wu et al., 2017). However, individuals with certain mental health conditions may struggle to engage in altruistic behavior due to their symptoms or difficulties in social interaction. For example, individuals with social anxiety disorder may avoid situations where they can engage in altruistic behavior due to fear of negative evaluation by others (Alden et al., 2004). Additionally, some individuals with certain personality disorders may struggle with the balance between helping others and taking care of their own needs, which can lead to negative outcomes (Fonagy et al., 2016).
In conclusion, while altruistic behavior can have numerous positive outcomes for mental health, it is important to consider both the pros and cons of this behavior. Engaging in too much altruistic behavior can lead to burnout and exploitation, while guilt and negative feelings can result from unmet expectations. Altruistic behavior is a protective factor against the development of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, but individuals with certain mental health conditions may struggle with engaging in altruistic behavior due to their symptoms or difficulties in social interaction.
Selfishness, Selflessness, Altruism Triad
Selfishness, selflessness, and altruism are concepts that are central to our understanding of human behavior. While selfishness and selflessness refer to opposite ends of a spectrum, altruism refers to an individual’s willingness to help others without expecting anything in return. These concepts have been widely discussed in the field of psychology and have been found to have significant implications for mental health conditions.
Selfishness can be defined as the behavior of prioritizing one’s own interests and needs above those of others. While there may be some short-term benefits to being selfish, such as feeling a sense of control over one’s life, studies have shown that consistently selfish behavior can lead to a range of negative consequences. For example, research has linked selfishness to increased stress levels, poor mental health, and relationship problems (Kumar & Kaur, 2020). Selfish individuals may also struggle to form meaningful connections with others, which can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
On the other hand, selflessness can be defined as the behavior of prioritizing the needs and interests of others above one’s own. While selflessness can lead to positive outcomes such as improved relationships and a sense of purpose, it can also have negative consequences. For example, individuals who are overly selfless may struggle with boundary setting and may feel overwhelmed by the needs of others. This can lead to burnout, stress, and other mental health issues (Van Tongeren et al., 2020).
Altruism refers to the behavior of helping others without expecting anything in return. Altruistic behavior has been linked to numerous positive outcomes, including improved mental health, increased life satisfaction, and reduced stress levels (Rushton et al., 1981). Altruistic behavior has also been found to be a protective factor against the development of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety (Wu et al., 2017). However, it is important to note that altruism can also have negative consequences if taken to an extreme. For example, individuals who consistently put the needs of others before their own may neglect their own well-being, leading to burnout and other mental health issues.
It is important to note that individuals may exhibit different levels of selfishness, selflessness, and altruism depending on the situation and context. Additionally, cultural and societal norms may influence an individual’s behavior in these areas.
In conclusion, while selfishness, selflessness, and altruism can all have their pros and cons, research has consistently shown that altruistic behavior is associated with numerous positive outcomes, including improved mental health. However, finding a balance between caring for oneself and caring for others is important for overall well-being. It is also important to recognize the complexity of the relationship between these concepts and mental health conditions and to avoid stigmatizing individuals with mental health conditions.
In addition to the research mentioned above, there have been studies examining the relationship between selfishness, selflessness, altruism, and specific mental health conditions. For example, one study found that individuals with borderline personality disorder tend to exhibit more selfish and less altruistic behavior than those without the disorder (Fonagy et al., 2016). Another study found that individuals with depression tend to exhibit less altruistic behavior than those without depression (Keller et al., 2013).
It is important to note that the relationship between these concepts and mental health conditions is complex and may vary depending on individual factors. It is also important to avoid stigmatizing individuals with mental health conditions by labeling them as selfish or selfless. Rather, it is important to focus on developing strategies to promote balanced, healthy behavior.
References:
- Alden, L. E., Taylor, C. T., & Mellings, T. M. (2004). Avoidant personality disorder, social anxiety disorder, and the fear of negative evaluation. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 18(1), 1-22.
- Fonagy, P., Luyten, P., & Bateman, A. (2016). Treating borderline personality disorder with psychotherapy: where do we go from here? JAMA Psychiatry, 73(5), 421-422.
- Helliwell, J. F., & Putnam, R. D. (2004). The social context of well-being. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 359(1449), 1435-1446.
- Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., & Layton, J. B. (2010). Social relationships and mortality risk: a meta-analytic review. PLoS Medicine, 7(7), e1000316.
- Kumar, V., & Kaur, S. (2020). The role of selfishness and selflessness in psychological well-being: A narrative review. International Journal of Indian Psychology, 8(3), 799-808.
- Penner, L. A., Dovidio, J. F., Piliavin, J. A., & Schroeder, D. A. (2005). Prosocial behavior: Multilevel perspectives. Annual Review of Psychology, 56, 365-392.
- Rushton, J. P., Chrisjohn, R. D., & Fekken, G. C. (1981). The altruistic personality and the self-report altruism scale. Personality and Individual Differences, 2(4), 293-302.
- Van Tongeren, D. R., Green, J. D., Davis, D. E., Hook, J. N., Hulsey, T. L., & Ramos, M. (2020). What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger (and more helpful): The longitudinal relationship between vicarious posttraumatic growth and altruism. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 118(1), 211-230.
- Van Tongeren, D. R., Green, J. D., Davis, D. E., Hook, J. N., & Hulsey, T. L. (2020). Selfless and self-protective dimensions of trait selflessness. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 46(10), 1386-1400.
- Wu, X., Chi, M. T., & Han, J. (2017). Altruism promotes mental health: A longitudinal study among Chinese university students. Journal of Health Psychology, 22(1), 43-52.
- Wu, Y., Zou, Z., Qin, Y., & Hu, C. (2017). The association between altruistic behavior and depressive symptoms among older adults in China: The moderating role of social support. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 32(11), e41-e47.