Big or small, acts of kindness have the power to transform lives and strengthen communities. But did you know that performing acts of kindness can also improve mental health and even reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression?
Researchers at The Ohio State University, led by Jennifer Cheavens, Ph.D., a Clinical Psychologist and Professor of Psychology, conducted a study in which participants experiencing elevated symptoms of anxiety and depression were divided into three groups and assigned different treatment plans: traditional cognitive reappraisal (i.e., evaluating negative thoughts), social activities (i.e., doing something pleasurable with others), or acts of kindness (i.e., doing something for others). Participants who performed kind acts for five weeks reported feeling significantly less anxious and depressed and significantly more socially connected and satisfied with life than those who did the other two activities. The study also found that a kind act doesn’t have to be large to produce positive effects on mental health.
This year, the Center for HumanKindness at The Columbus Foundation entered a collaborative partnership with Dr. Cheavens’ Mood and Personality Studies Lab at Ohio State to continue growing the body of research on kindness and its effects on individual and collective well-being.
Pictured: Ally Heiland, a member of the Ohio State research team, supporting the Center for HumanKindness booth at the 2024 Columbus Book Festival.
“We are thrilled to partner with Ohio State to continue exploring how kindness can improve lives and build stronger relationships and communities,” said Kate Oliphint, Director of the Center for HumanKindness at The Columbus Foundation. “Together, we’ll have opportunities to learn more about other dimensions of kindness and how to better practice kindness towards others, ourselves, and the community.”
The Ohio State research team has also been working alongside the Center for HumanKindness to translate their research findings into community action. Together with the Ohio State researchers, the Center for HumanKindness team recently participated in Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Columbus Book Festival, the Festival for Good, The Big Table®, and other local events.
“The opportunity to partner with the Center for HumanKindness at The Columbus Foundation has been incredibly generative for us,” said Dr. Cheavens. “This partnership has allowed us to intentionally interact with community members and partners in ways that make our research and clinical training better. Our purpose has always been to try to bring effective and accessible interventions to the community and working with the Center for HumanKindness allows us to do this more routinely and efficiently.”
The research partnership is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Walter Foundation, a Supporting Foundation of The Columbus Foundation.
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