JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Compassion is fundamental to moral and relational functioning, yet its origins and effects remain debated. This study will examine how fear or acceptance of compassion from others influences well-being, emotional openness, and prosocial Behavior. Particular attention is given to the roles of spirituality, religiosity, and secularism in shaping interpretations of compassion and altruism. By focusing on working adults from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds, the study aims to generate insights that inform culturally sensitive public health strategies to promote resilience and prosocial engagement.

Objective:

Among working age adults (≥18 years) in secular, religious, or organizational contexts, this study explores how receiving compassion from others influences psychological well being and resilience, including whether this relationship is shaped by individuals’ fear of compas-sion versus their acceptance of compassion, and further examines how outcomes differ be-tween those who report receiving compassion and those who do not. Furthermore, the study will extract is adults interpret acts of compassion from others using a secular or religious interpretation.

Methods:

We will utilize a mixed-methods, sequential explanatory design. Phase one will consist of an online, anonymous survey with both closed- and open-ended questions. Quantitative measures will evaluate spirituality, religiosity, compassion (including fear and acceptance), altruism, and personality traits. Qualitative responses will deepen and clarify patterns emerging from the quantitative data. A priori sample size calculations will be carried out using G*Power to ensure sufficient statistical power. Analyses will include mediation mod-els, correlation analyses, and thematic coding. Reporting will adhere to the STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) checklist to ensure methodological transparency and rigor.

Results:

The study aims to explore how compassion operates across interpersonal and cultural boundaries and how its reception influences well-being among working adults from diverse religious, secular, and ethnic backgrounds. Findings will emphasize the importance of cul-turally sensitive approaches to compassionate care, communication, and support. These re-sults may inform training programs for healthcare providers, educators, and faith leaders, encouraging adaptation to different interpretations of compassion across belief systems and social contexts.

Conclusions:

By framing compassion as a relational and context-dependent process, the study will con-tribute to inclusive well-being initiatives, safeguarding frameworks, and outreach strategies that strengthen resilience, trust, and social cohesion. Ultimately, it will provide evidence-based recommendations for integrating compassion into public health, education, and social care policies, ensuring interventions have a positive impact, uphold inclusivity, and remain ethically grounded in lived experience. Clinical Trial: Lazzari, C. G., Crawford, P., & Kotera, Y. (2026, March 24). Mapping Compassion from Others: A Research Protocol on Religious and Secular Compassionate Acts and Their Im-pact on Well-Being. Retrieved from osf.io/n3k48