Conceptualization of Kindness among Adolescents of Pakistan

Abstract

Kindness, a basic element of morality, has been observed to have a greater impact on individuals’ general well-being, societal development, and integration of humanity. However, despite its phenomenal acceptance in all religions and cultures worldwide, the concept remained understudied. Therefore, qualitative research was planned to explore the phenomenon of kindness, its enabling factors, inhibiting factors, and to identify the recipients of kindness in Pakistani adolescents. An interview guide was developed in Study 1 through two Focus Group Discussions with eight girls and eight boys of 18 and 19 years to achieve the objectives. The interpretative phenomenological analysis method developed seven questions for the interview guide and then finalized through committee approach and pilot testing. In the main study, in-depth interviews were conducted on a total sample of 14 adolescents. Among which 50% were girls between 18 and 19 years (M= 18.5, SD= 0.51). The data were collected from Rawalpindi and Islamabad using a convenient sampling technique and analyzed through thematic framework analysis. The results suggested that Pakistani adolescents conceptualized kindness as benefitting oneself and others with goodness and withholding harm. Religion and socialization were reported as the prime enabling factors for being kind. In addition, the availability of resources and the perception of the recipient’s deservedness also determined kindness. Among the inhibitory factors, self-detaining tendencies, family and peer pressure, and non-availability of resources emerged. It is hoped that the present study may enhance the understanding of kindness for future research.