Loneliness, stigma, and the tendency for interpersonal victimhood inhibit compassion for some but not all suffering social groups

This study extends recent research on correlates of compassion for suffering social groups. Using a nationally representative sample of 627 U.S. adults, this study used cross-sectional survey data to determine if loneliness, the tendency for interpersonal victimhood, and stigmatizing attitudes held toward suffering social groups correlated with less compassion for suffering social groups. Participants were randomly assigned to respond in regard to one of three suffering social groups: adults who are addicted to opioids, unemployed adults who have been hurt by the rising prices of goods and services, or women who do not have access to reproductive health care in their area. Both main effects and interaction effects were hypothesized. Results showed significant main effects in which loneliness, stigmatizing attitudes held towards a suffering social group, and the tendency for interpersonal victimhood were negatively related to compassion felt for suffering social groups. Additional exploratory analyses showed that these main effects depended on the specific suffering social group. Whereas all three variables inhibited compassion for adults addicted to opioids, only loneliness and stigmatizing attitudes inhibited compassion for the unemployed, and only stigmatizing attitudes inhibited compassion for women lacking access to reproductive health care. These findings can be used to guide the development of future interventions that may address issues that inhibit compassion towards those who are suffering, particularly those in suffering social groups that are stigmatized.