The influence of self-interest on mental health is significant, as it shapes our motivations and behaviors. When individuals prioritize their own needs and desires, it can lead to both positive and negative outcomes for their psychological well-being. While a healthy degree of self-focus can foster personal growth, excessive interest in oneself may result in isolation, anxiety, or stress. Understanding this balance is crucial for maintaining mental health and developing meaningful connections with others.

Self-interest, characterized by an undue focus on personal gain, undermines the inherent human capacity for empathy, concern for others, and a sense of responsibility. The heightened pursuit of individual preferences, along with a reluctance to support collective well-being, arises from competitive attitudes and a disregard for the needs of others. Such competitive tendencies are largely shaped by social influences. Conversely, humans are inherently predisposed to flourish in communal settings and seek meaningful relationships. While studies indicate that children are capable of hiding selfish tendencies, early in life individuals learn that collaboration often leads to greater rewards than pursuing self-serving interests.

Within the field of psychology, self-interest has been explained by egoism (i.e., our own welfare is our ultimate aim) as well as by altruism (suggesting we have altruistic motives). In a sense, self-interest can be seen as selfishness, but one can also consider the ethical dimensions. Although self-interest........

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