Exploring the Role of Promoting Kindness in Enhancing Community Health: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: Kindness plays a vital role in strengthening social bonds, enhancing solidarity, and improving individuals’ mental and social well-being. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the role of promoting kindness in community-based health improvement efforts and to examine its contribution to fostering healthier and more cohesive communities within the specific cultural context of Tehran, Iran. Methods: This qualitative study employed a conventional content analysis approach. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 58 purposefully selected participants, including service users, administrators, and academic and executive experts from the Ministry of Health and Iran University of Medical Sciences. Participants were recruited from specific geographical locations in Tehran to reflect the cultural context; however, limitations regarding the generalizability of findings to other regions or cultures are acknowledged. Interviews were conducted in various settings, including municipal offices, hospitals, and university campuses across Tehran, commencing on 23 November 2023 and continuing until 20 July 2024, when theoretical saturation was reached. To ensure the trustworthiness of findings, triangulation was conducted using multiple data sources and methods, including expert reviews and cross-validation of interview data. Results: The analysis revealed four main themes: Mental and emotional well-being; social cohesion and community support; health promotion and public engagement; and social equity and inclusion. These themes were further divided into 8 subthemes and 54 codes. Illustrative participant quotes supporting these themes provide rich, detailed evidence of the perceived impact of kindness. The findings indicate that promoting kindness can serve as an effective strategy in community-based health promotion efforts. Conclusions: Promoting kindness in society contributes to stronger social connections, stress reduction, and improved mental health. It also fosters more cohesive and healthier communities, playing a significant role in enhancing public health. Given these findings, kindness is proposed as a culturally rooted, low-cost complementary approach for public health policies and interventions. However, further studies in diverse cultural settings are recommended to enhance generalizability.