Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies (JSSHRS) · Research article · Open access
Developing A Theoretical Framework for Compassionate Pedagogy: An Exploratory Study of Human Connection in Higher Education
Nguyen Minh Giam, Le Thi Hong Xuan
24 March 2026 · Vol. 2, Issue 3, pp. 272-277
DOI: 10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E3/2026-12
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What is this article about?
In the current context of higher education, learning environments are facing an increasingly evident crisis regarding student mental health. Pressures from individualistic competitiveness, performance demands, and high-paced learning have contributed to heightened feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and stress among the student community.
Article at a glance
- Published
- 24 March 2026
- Volume / issue / pages
- Vol. 2, Issue 3, pp. 272-277
- ISSN
- 3051-3561 (online) · 3051-3553 (print)
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0 — free to read and reuse with attribution
- Peer review
- Double-blind, at least two independent reviewers
- Publisher
- EP Journals Group
Abstract
In the current context of higher education, learning environments are facing an increasingly evident crisis regarding student mental health. Pressures from individualistic competitiveness, performance demands, and high-paced learning have contributed to heightened feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and stress among the student community. A notable issue is that student support systems (such as psychological counseling and academic support) often operate separately from classroom pedagogic practice. Simultaneously, the trend toward the commodification of education has given rise to a compassion gap, where human elements and empathy have not been fully integrated into the teaching and learning process. Although the concept of compassion is gaining increasing attention in educational research, the field still lacks a consistent definition and a theoretical framework capable of practical application. In light of this reality, this article aims to conceptualize Compassionate Pedagogy and develop a multi-level theoretical framework to guide practice within the higher education context. The primary contribution of this study is the proposal of a framework comprising four core components of compassionate pedagogy, alongside the development of an implementation model that spans from the institutional level to the individual level. This theoretical framework not only facilitates the integration of compassion into teaching practices but also affirms its role in improving student mental health and enhancing student engagement.
Keywords: Compassionate pedagogy, higher education, mental health, student engagement, humanizing pedagogy
Cite this article
Nguyen Minh Giam, & Le Thi Hong Xuan (2026). Developing A Theoretical Framework for Compassionate Pedagogy: An Exploratory Study of Human Connection in Higher Education. Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies, 2(3), 272-277. https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E3/2026-12
@article{Nguyen2026,
title = {Developing A Theoretical Framework for Compassionate Pedagogy: An Exploratory Study of Human Connection in Higher Education},
author = {Nguyen Minh Giam and Le Thi Hong Xuan},
journal = {Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies},
year = {2026},
volume = {2},
number = {3},
pages = {272-277},
doi = {10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E3/2026-12},
url = {https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E3/2026-12}
}Questions about this article
Who wrote this article?
Nguyen Minh Giam, Le Thi Hong Xuan.
Where and when was it published?
In Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies, Volume 2, Issue 3, pages 272-277, published by EP Journals Group on 24 March 2026.
Is this article free to read?
Yes. It is open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) licence, so anyone can read, share and reuse it with attribution.
What is the DOI of this article?
10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E3/2026-12 (https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E3/2026-12).
How do I cite this article?
APA: Nguyen Minh Giam, & Le Thi Hong Xuan (2026). Developing A Theoretical Framework for Compassionate Pedagogy: An Exploratory Study of Human Connection in Higher Education. Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies, 2(3), 272-277. https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E3/2026-12
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