The Role of Compassion on Student Well-Being

Introduction (Karen Huang)

As college students embark on their milestone transitions from high school to attending a public or private university, they are faced with balancing a newfound sense of freedom while navigating their academics and personal lives. As they juggle multiple responsibilities, college students will inevitably encounter various academic and financial hurdles. Those with limited resources or parental support may find it difficult to manage a heavy academic workload, high tuition fees, personal expenses, and the challenge of building a personal career roadmap.

With these newfound responsibilities, research studies have revealed that college students are at a higher risk of experiencing mental health challenges. Roughly 30.6% of students have reported depressive symptoms, whereas only 6% of the general population has experienced depressive symptoms (Ibrahim et al., 2013; Chan et al., 2022). Due to the mental health challenges that many college students face, a protective factor would be for students to practice more compassion toward one another. Building a compassionate social support system would allow students to develop resilience and help one another flourish through these hurdles (Chan et al., 2022; Neff & McGehee, 2010; Ozbay et al., 2007). Now, let’s learn more about what the concept of compassion encompasses and the various benefits that come with practicing compassion. 

What is Compassion (Rowena Li)

The literal meaning of compassion is “to suffer together.” In other words, the motivation to relieve others from their pain arises when seeing someone suffer.

Compassion is different from empathy or altruism. Empathy is more about the sensitivity of feeling what other people feel and understanding what they think. People can have empathy without actually taking any action. On the contrary, compassion involves both the aspiration and the action to help others rather than just understanding. Additionally, selfless behavior driven by altruism is not necessarily led by compassion; it could simply stem from the desire to change someone (Greater Good Magazine, 2004).

Compassion can be seen as a positive response to the suffering and pain of others, whether physical or mental.

There are also different types of compassion: 

1. Empathic Compassion: Focuses on the mental pain that one is experiencing.

2. Action Compassion: Focuses on actions that help relieve physical pain and sickness.

3. Concerned Compassion: Involves concern for the pain that someone is suffering, with a focus on the motivation or desire to help relieve it.

4. Aspirational Compassion: In the Buddhist context, a cognitive aspiration that eventually turns into the capability and action to help others overcome their suffering (Ekman, n.d.).

Multi-Faceted Benefits of Compassion (Ariany)

Compassion has a multitude of effects that one may not know about or recognize. All the information provided in this section was taken from the IE University website. Being compassionate helps others, but it also benefits the person exhibiting compassion. For example, being compassionate positively impacts both physical and mental health. Studies have shown that engaging in compassionate actions can greatly improve cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure and reducing chronic inflammation. When one is compassionate toward another, physiological responses occur that benefit overall health in many ways.

Similarly, compassion has significant mental health benefits. It can help lower anxiety and depression, as well as reduce the symptoms associated with both. Emotional resilience is strengthened when one is compassionate, as it helps combat various mental illnesses and enhances overall well-being for both the giver and the receiver. Furthermore, compassion can mitigate feelings of isolation and strengthen social connections, both of which are essential for mental wellness. Additionally, compassion can counteract tendencies toward negative emotions and increase overall satisfaction.

The Effects of Compassion on Undergraduate Students (Evangelina So)

Compassion has been known to have positive effects, not only when receiving compassion but also when being compassionate toward others. For example, comforting others through touch releases oxytocin. Oxytocin is a chemical reaction that helps both people in the interaction feel better.

At UCI, students need to be there for each other, listen to one another’s needs, and understand how to help. Hugs alone can go a long way, as they are one way to stimulate oxytocin release (Professor Piff, 2025). Sometimes, simply having someone who listens may be all that’s needed. However, students should not be the sole source of support for one another. UCI students need to be aware of the available mental health resources and professional support. It is not healthy for students to carry both their own stress and the stress of their friends. While having a supportive community of peers is valuable, professional support is also essential.

How Can We Cultivate Compassion On Campus (Karen)

Compassion can be fostered on campus through numerous strategies. One strategy would be for UCI to promote mental health awareness by offering on-campus workshops and events that inform students about ways to practice self-care and strategies for stress management.

A second strategy would be to increase the number of on-campus mental health resources or peer support groups and promote them on Ring Road so that students are aware of opportunities to build resilience and wellness. Furthermore, a third strategy would be to host on-campus events where students can leave small notes expressing gratitude for a loved one or close friend who helped them overcome obstacles. Professors or faculty could also foster compassion by offering students the opportunity to anonymously send thank-you or kindness notes to peers, professors, or close friends who supported their journey at UCI. Additionally, UCI could promote events on Ring Road where students can send virtual or physical notes to appreciate staff, faculty, or peers for their support and kindness.

Lastly, a fourth strategy would be for faculty and staff to encourage students to participate in community service projects involving long-term volunteering opportunities. Partnerships with local shelters, food banks, or other nonprofit organizations would help increase student engagement. To further encourage participation, students should receive recognition in the form of awards or certificates, motivating them to volunteer consistently.

References 

Ekman, P. (n.d.). What does compassion mean? | Types of compassion. Paul Ekman Group. https://www.paulekman.com/what-does-compassion-mean/

Greater Good Magazine. (2004). Compassion definition | What is compassion. Greater Good. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/compassion/definition

Ibrahim, A. K., Kelly, S. J., Adams, C. E., & Glazebrook, C. (2013). A systematic review of studies of depression prevalence in university students. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 47(3), 391–400. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2012.11.015

IE University. (2024, November 18). The science of compassion: How kindness benefits our health. Center for Health & Well-Being. https://www.ie.edu/center-for-health-and-well-being/blog/the-science-of-compassion-how-kindness-benefits-our-health/

Marsh, I. C., Chan, S. W. Y., & MacBeth, A. (2018). Self-compassion and psychological distress in adolescents—A meta-analysis. Mindfulness, 9(4), 1011–1027. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-017-0850-7

Neff, K. D., & McGehee, P. (2010). Self-compassion and psychological resilience among adolescents and young adults. Self and Identity, 9(3), 225–240. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860902979307

Piff, P. (2025). Science of compassion [Lecture].