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Altruism, happiness, and health: It's good to be good (2005)
| Venue: | International Journal of Behavioral Medicine |
| Citations: | 33 - 0 self |
BibTeX
@ARTICLE{Post05altruism,happiness,,
author = {Stephen G. Post},
title = {Altruism, happiness, and health: It's good to be good},
journal = {International Journal of Behavioral Medicine},
year = {2005},
pages = {66--77}
}
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Abstract
Altruistic (other-regarding) emotions and behaviors are associated with greater well-being, health, and longevity. This article presents a summary and assessment of existing research data on altruism and its relation to mental and physical health. It suggests several complimentary interpretive frameworks, including evolutionary bi-ology, physiological models, and positive psychology. Potential public health impli-cations of this research are discussed, as well as directions for future studies. The arti-cle concludes, with some caveats, that a strong correlation exists between the well-being, happiness, health, and longevity of people who are emotionally and behaviorally compassionate, so long as they are not overwhelmed by helping tasks. Key words: kindness, altruism, well-being, happiness, health, public health The vast majority of people in the European Union and the United States have more material wealth than did their parents; the percentage of these populations that is happy, however, has not increased, and depres-sion and anxiety rates have risen dramatically
Keyphrases
research data evolutionary bi-ology several complimentary interpretive framework strong correlation exists physiological model vast majority public health positive psychology physical health future study key word arti-cle concludes united state potential public health impli-cations material wealth european union anxiety rate
