“Compassionate Love is an attitude toward other(s), either close others or strangers or all of humanity; containing feelings, cognitions, and behaviors that are focused on caring, concern, tenderness, and an orientation toward supporting, helping, and understanding the other(s), particularly when the other(s) is (are) perceived to be suffering or in need.” (Sprecher& Fehr, 2005).
- Sprecher, S., & Fehr, B. (2005). Compassionate Love for Close Others and Humanity. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 22 (5), 629-651.