A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Is It Good To Be Good? Dispositional Compassion and Health Behaviors
Authors: Gluschkoff K., Pulkki-Råback L., Elovainio M., Saarinen A., Tammelin T., Hirvensalo M., Lehtimäki T., Keltikangas-Järvinen L., Raitakari O., Hintsanen M.
Publisher: Springer
Publication year: 2019
Journal: Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Journal name in source: Annals of behavioral medicine : a publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine
Journal acronym: Ann Behav Med
Volume: 53
Issue: 7
First page : 665
Last page: 673
Number of pages: 9
ISSN: 0883-6612
eISSN: 1532-4796
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/abm/kay075
Abstract
Despite the documented importance of dispositional compassions for a range of health-related outcomes, its role in predicting health behaviors remains unclear.\nThis study examined the associations between dispositional compassion and three domains of health behavior, including physical activity, alcohol use, and smoking.\nThe participants (N = 1,279-1,913) were from the Finnish population-based Young Finns study. We collected self-reports of compassion in 1997 and 2011 and health behaviors in 2001, 2007, and 2011. In addition, an objective pedometer measure of physical activity was collected in 2011. Linear and logistic regression models were fitted to estimate the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between compassion and the health behavior outcomes.\nIn a cross-sectional analysis, compassion was associated with having never smoked and a reduced likelihood of at-risk alcohol use and binge drinking. There was no robust association between compassion and physical activity. In longitudinal analyses over a 14-year period, the associations remained for at-risk alcohol use and binge drinking.\nDispositional compassion may have a protective effect against unhealthy behaviors, especially excessive alcohol consumption.\nBackground\nPurpose\nMethods\nResults\nConclusions
Despite the documented importance of dispositional compassions for a range of health-related outcomes, its role in predicting health behaviors remains unclear.\nThis study examined the associations between dispositional compassion and three domains of health behavior, including physical activity, alcohol use, and smoking.\nThe participants (N = 1,279-1,913) were from the Finnish population-based Young Finns study. We collected self-reports of compassion in 1997 and 2011 and health behaviors in 2001, 2007, and 2011. In addition, an objective pedometer measure of physical activity was collected in 2011. Linear and logistic regression models were fitted to estimate the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between compassion and the health behavior outcomes.\nIn a cross-sectional analysis, compassion was associated with having never smoked and a reduced likelihood of at-risk alcohol use and binge drinking. There was no robust association between compassion and physical activity. In longitudinal analyses over a 14-year period, the associations remained for at-risk alcohol use and binge drinking.\nDispositional compassion may have a protective effect against unhealthy behaviors, especially excessive alcohol consumption.\nBackground\nPurpose\nMethods\nResults\nConclusions
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