Article

The Role of Self-compassion in Romantic Relationships

February 2012
Self and Identity 2012(1)

DOI:10.1080/15298868.2011.639548

Authors:

Kristin D. Neff

University of Texas at Austin

S. Natasha Beretvas

University of Texas at Austin

Self-compassion (SC) involves being kind to oneself when confronting personal inadequacies or situational difficulties, framing the imperfection of life in terms of common humanity, and being mindful of negative emotions so that one neither suppresses nor ruminates on them. The current study explored whether being self-compassionate is linked to healthier romantic relationship behavior, such as being more caring and supportive rather than controlling or verbally aggressive with partners. A total of 104 couples participated in the study, with self-reported SC levels being associated with partner reports of relationship behavior. Results indicated that self-compassionate individuals displayed more positive relationship behavior than those who lacked SC. SC was also a stronger predictor of positive relationship behavior than trait self-esteem (SE) or attachment style. Finally, partners were able to accurately report on each other's SC levels, suggesting that SC is an observable trait.

Üniversite Öğrencilerinin Çocukluk Çağı Travmaları ve Psikolojik Kırılganlıkları ile Öz Şefkat Düzeyleri Arasındaki İlişkinin İncelenmesi

Article

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Apr 2025

Bu çalışmanın amacı, üniversite öğrencilerinin çocukluk çağı travmaları, psikolojik kırılganlıkları ve öz şefkat seviyeleri arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemektir. Araştırmada, çocukluk travmaları, psikolojik kırılganlık ve öz şefkat arasındaki ilişkileri incelerken öz şefkatin, çocukluk travmaları ile psikolojik kırılganlık arasındaki ilişki üzerindeki aracılık rolü de değerlendirilmiştir. İlişkisel tarama modeline dayanan bu çalışmaya, Türkiye'nin farklı illerinde ikamet eden 470 üniversite öğrencisi katılmıştır. Veriler, kolayda örnekleme yöntemi kullanılarak çevrimiçi anketler yoluyla toplanmıştır. Veri toplama sürecinde Kişisel Bilgi Formu, Çocukluk Çağı Travmaları Ölçeği (ÇÇTÖ), Öz Duyarlılık Ölçeği (ÖDÖ) ve Psikolojik Kırılganlık Ölçeği (PKÖ) gibi araçlar kullanılmıştır. Verilerin analizi için SPSS 26.0 ve Amos 24 yazılımları tercih edilmiştir. İki kategorili değişkenler ile ölçek puanlarının karşılaştırılması amacıyla Independent Sample T testi veya Mann Whitney U testi kullanılmıştır. Üç veya daha fazla kategorili değişkenler için ise One Way ANOVA veya Kruskal Wallis H testi uygulanmıştır. Değişkenler arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemek için Pearson Korelasyon Analizi kullanılmıştır. Aracılık etkisi ise AMOS 24 programında, Bootsrap tekniğini içeren yol analizi yöntemiyle test edilmiştir. Sonuçlar, çocukluk çağı travmaları ve psikolojik kırılganlık ile öz şefkat seviyeleri arasında anlamlı bir ilişki olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Ayrıca, öz şefkatin, çocukluk travmaları ve psikolojik kırılganlık arasındaki ilişkide aracılık rolü oynadığı saptanmıştır. Anahtar Kelimeler: Çocukluk çağı travmaları, psikolojik kırılganlık, öz şefkat, yapısal eşitlik modeli

Üniversite Öğrencilerinin Romantik İlişki Durumuna Göre Otantiklik, Öz Duyarlılık ve Psikolojik İyi Oluş Düzeylerinin İncelenmesi

Article

Mar 2025

Bu araştırmada, üniversite öğrencilerinin romantik ilişki durumuna göre otantiklik, öz duyarlılık ve psikolojik iyi oluş düzeylerinin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Araştırmanın katılımcı grubunu Konya’da bulunan iki devlet ve bir özel üniversitede lisans eğitimlerine devam etmekte olan 346 kadın 151 erkek olmak üzere toplam 451 katılımcı oluşturmuştur. Katılımcıların yaş ortalaması 21’dir. Verilerin analizinde betimsel istatistikler, bağımsız örneklem için t-testi, Mann Whitney-U testi, ANOVA, Pearson Kolerasyon Analizi ve regresyon analizi kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın sonuçlarına göre üniversite öğrencilerinde otantiklik ve psikolojik iyi oluşun cinsiyete göre anlamlı farklılık gösterdiği, öz duyarlılığın ise cinsiyete göre anlamlı bir farklılık göstermediği görülmektedir. Romantik ilişki durumuna göre göre öz duyarlılık anlamlı bir farklılık göstermezken, otantiklik ve psikolojik iyi oluş anlamlı bir farklılık göstermiştir. Otantiklik, öz duyarlılık ve psikolojik iyi oluşun romantik ilişki statüsüne göre anlamlı şekilde farklılaştığı bulunmuştur. Romantik ilişkinin süresine göre öz duyarlılık ve psikolojik iyi oluş anlamlı bir farklılık göstermezken, otantiklik anlamlı bir farklılık göstermiştir. Romantik ilişkisi olan ve olmayan üniversite öğrencileri için otantiklik, öz duyarlılık ve psikolojik iyi oluş değişkenleri arasında pozitif yönde bir ilişki olduğu görülmüştür. Romantik ilişkisi olan ve olmayan üniversite öğrencilerinde otantiklik ve öz duyarlılığın psikolojik iyi oluşu pozitif yönde anlamlı olarak yordadığı görülmektedir.

Dyadic Examination of Children’s Emotion Regulation in Family Context: Contributions of Coparenting and Parents’ Self-Compassion

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2025
Early Child Educ J

The purpose of the current study was to examine the dyadic association between parents’ self-compassion and children’s emotion regulation in early childhood, with a specific focus on the mediating role of the coparenting relationship (cooperation, conflict, and triangulation). The sample of this study consisted of 333 parental dyads (333 mothers and 333 fathers) who had at least one child between 36 and 96 months (M = 68.89, SD = 15.03). Both mothers and fathers reported their level of self-compassion, the coparenting quality, and their child’s emotion regulation. The Actor–Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) and Actor- Partner Interdependence Mediation Model (APIMeM) were used to investigate the effects of the actor and partner on the study variables. The results from the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) revealed a significant and positive association between parents' self-compassion and their respective reports of child emotion regulation. Notably, fathers' self-compassion was significantly associated with mothers' reports of child emotion regulation, but mothers' self-compassion did not show a significant association with fathers' reports of child emotion regulation. Results also demonstrated that fathers' coparenting cooperation mediated the relationship between mothers' self-compassion and fathers' reports of child emotion regulation, as well as the relationship between fathers' self-compassion and their own reports of child emotion regulation. However, conflict and triangulation within the coparenting relationship did not mediate the association between parents' self-compassion and children's emotion regulation.

Love in the Face of Loss: Associations Between Self-Compassion, Compassionate Love, and Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction in Couples Experiencing a Recent Pregnancy Loss

Article

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Feb 2025

The demands of pregnancy loss may lead to an adjustment period, which can strain couples’ sexual and relationship satisfaction. Compassion is a mental health promotion tool that may buffer the effect of negative life events, such as pregnancy loss, on well-being. Nevertheless, it is not well-understood how self-compassion or compassion felt for a partner (i.e., compassionate love) are associated with sexual and relationship satisfaction in couples coping with a recent pregnancy loss. We aimed to examine how self-compassion and compassionate love are associated with sexual and relationship satisfaction in couples after pregnancy loss in a pre-registered, cross-sectional study of couples (N = 138) who experienced a loss in the last 4 months. Using structural equation modeling and controlling for age and relationship and loss characteristics, we found no associations between either couple member’s self-compassion and their own or their partners’ sexual and relationship satisfaction. However, for individuals who were pregnant when the loss occurred, higher compassionate love was associated with their own and their partner’s greater sexual and relationship satisfaction. For individuals who were not pregnant, greater compassionate love was associated with their own higher relationship satisfaction (but not that of their partner). Fostering compassion for one’s partner may be a target for intervention post-loss to strengthen couples’ relational well-being after a pregnancy loss.

Worship and the problems of human evil and suffering

Article

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Feb 2025
Relig Stud

Consider a simple argument that worshipping God is wrong. This world is not a nice place. Not only do humans persecute and inflict other evils on each other, but millions of people suffer and die every year from preventable poverty-related causes, and it seems that few, if any, deserve their plights. It is unclear that we should want to be associated with, never mind worship, a being with the capacity to make the world a much better place but whose beneficence (or knowledge) permits things to go on in the ways that they do. At first blush, contempt is a more fitting response to God than worship. But, assuming God exists, perhaps we have reason to accept, if not worship, him in any case. Humans are comparably limited. We do evil unto each other, and, insofar as millions of deaths are preventable, our failure to prevent them is a failure of humans as well as of God. If we could (and should) have saved many lives and have not, our moral failings present us with our own, human, problem of evil and suffering. So, if we should reject God because so many people suffer, then we should reject ourselves when we could avoid evil and help others too. However, this article argues that we have practical, moral, and epistemic reasons to accept rather than reject ourselves, and similarly we have reasons to accept God. And if we have reason to accept God, then we have some reason to worship God. Worship is a way of acknowledging our own limitations and can help us survive, flourish, and help others in the face of the problems of human evil and suffering.

Cross-sectional and prospective associations between self-compassion and sexual distress in couples coping with sexual interest/arousal disorder

Article

Feb 2025
J SEX MED

Background When an individual in a relationship is coping with low desire/arousal, both partners experience difficulties, including higher levels of sexual distress. Effective emotional regulation strategies, such as self-compassion, could have individual and interpersonal benefits for couples with sexual interest/arousal disorder (SIAD). Aim Using a dyadic design, we examined the role of self-compassion in the sexual distress of couples coping with SIAD, accounting for overall relationship satisfaction. The associations were analyzed cross-sectionally and prospectively. We also explored the moderating roles of having at least one member identify as sexually or gender diverse within the couple in the potential associations between self-compassion and sexual distress. Methods Individuals with SIAD and their partners (N = 263 couples) completed online measures at baseline and 6 months later. Outcomes Individuals with SIAD and their partners completed the Sexual Distress Scale-Short Form and the Couples Satisfaction Index. Results Controlling for relationship satisfaction, when individuals coping with SIAD and their partners reported greater self-compassion at baseline, they also reported lower sexual distress. For partners only, greater self-compassion was associated with the person with SIAD’s lower levels of sexual distress at baseline. No statistically significant prospective associations were found between levels of self-compassion and sexual distress 6 months later. Belonging to a sexually diverse couple was a significant moderator of the cross-sectional associations between partners’ level of self-compassion and their own level of sexual distress at baseline, such that the link between greater self-compassion and lower sexual distress was observed only in partners belonging to a sexually diverse couple. Belonging to a gender diverse couple did not moderate any of the associations. Clinical Implications Findings indicate that self-compassion could be a promising tool to reduce sexual distress in couples coping with SIAD. Strengths & Limitations Strengths of this study include the large, diverse sample of couples coping with SIAD, the use of a cross-sectional and prospective design, and the examination of the moderating role of belonging to a gender or sexually diverse couple. However, the possible lack of statistical power to measure moderation based on belonging to a gender diverse couple and the recall bias due to the use of self-report questionnaires should be considered when interpreting the results. Conclusion Greater self-compassion is associated with lower sexual distress in both partners of couples coping with SIAD. Self-compassion may be particularly beneficial for partners of individuals with SIAD belonging to a sexually diverse couple.

Testing the Correlation Model of Psychological Well-Being, Self-Compassion, and Mindfulness in Married Nurses with the Mediating Role of Alexithymia

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Full-text available

Jul 2024

Throughout married life, various factors affect communication, mental health, and quality of life. Understanding these factors is foundational to strengthening family life. This study aimed to test the correlation model of psychological well-being, self-compassion, and mindfulness in married nurses with the mediating role of alexithymia. The present research employed a descriptive-correlational method. The statistical population included all married nurses in Ilam County during the first half of 2023. The sample comprised 240 nurses selected through convenience sampling. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire, the Psychological Well-Being Scale, the Self-Compassion Scale, the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory, and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale. Data analysis was performed using Amos software version 24. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to evaluate the proposed model, and the bootstrapping method was used to test indirect relationships. The findings revealed that self-compassion and mindfulness could enhance psychological well-being in nurses by reducing alexithymia. It is recommended that the Ministry of Health and Medical Education organizes effective and constructive workshops and seminars focusing on realistic expectations in marital relationships, perceptions and motivations, mindful approaches, and strategies to enhance self-compassion to improve the psychological well-being of nurses

Testing the Correlation Model of Psychological Well-Being, Self-Compassion, and Mindfulness in Married Nurses with the Mediating Role of Alexithymia

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Jul 2024

The associations between self-compassion and adult attachment: A meta-analysis

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2024

Objectives: Self-compassion, the capacity to hold a compassionate attitude towards oneself without self-criticism when in distress, has been conceptualized to originate from receiving secure caregiving. Attachment theory offers a framework to explain self-compassion as effective coping with resources from healthy activation of the attachment system. Recent research has increasingly explored the connections between self-compassion and attachment security. Our meta-analysis seeks to consolidate existing evidence by statistically synthesizing findings on the relationship between self-compassion and the two dimensions of attachment: anxiety and avoidance. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted, and based on the inclusion criteria, the authors found data from 46 studies with a total size of 17,650 participants. Inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed journals and dissertations published in English that used quantitative and validated methods to measure attachment and self-compassion in participants aged 16 years and older. Results: We found robust negative correlations between self-compassion and both attachment anxiety ( r = −.42) and avoidance ( r = −.32), with age significantly moderating the relationship between avoidance and self-compassion. Subscale analyses suggested that each of the six components of self-compassion is significantly associated with attachment insecurity. Conclusions: The results highlight the robust associations between self-compassion and adult attachment, as well as significant associations between the individual components of self-compassion and adult attachment. Additionally, age emerges as a potentially influential moderator. Future research should further examine the causal mechanism of these associations and include correlations for self-compassion’s individual dimensions.

Predictors of Couple Burnout among Turkish Married Individuals

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Jul 2024

Couple burnout has been linked to several negative consequences for both individuals and couples. Identifying the factors that predict couple burnout is essential for developing effective interventions to prevent or lessen its detrimental impact on marital relationships. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate sociodemographic factors, relationship self-efficacy, happiness, and self-compassion as predictors of couple burnout in Turkish married individuals. A convenient sample of 401 married individuals completed a questionnaire that comprised a Personal Information Form, Couple Burnout Measure—Short Version, Relationship Self-Efficacy Scale, Self-Compassion Scale, and Single-Item Happiness Scale. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s product-moment correlation analysis, linear multiple regression analysis, and relative importance analyses. The results of this study suggest that being women, having a higher number of offspring, and lower levels of relationship self-efficacy, self-compassion, and happiness were significant positive predictors of couple burnout among married individuals. The type of marriage, monthly income, and duration of marriage were not significant predictors of couple burnout. Moreover, the results of the relative importance analyses consistently demonstrated that happiness was the strongest predictor of couple burnout among married individuals. The research findings demonstrate the multidimensional nature of couple burnout and provide a more nuanced understanding of its predictive factors. These results have potential implications for the development of evidence-based and targeted interventions in relationship education programs.

Self-Compassion, Psychological Well-Being, and the Quality of Romantic Relationships: A Study With Malaysian Emerging Adults

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2024

Self-compassion plays a critical role in romantic relationships in that it improves relationship quality through trust, expressions of love, and commitment, leading to more satisfying relationships and well-being. Fewer studies have examined the role of self-compassion as a relationship enhancing variable, especially in the context of romantic relationships in non-Western countries such as Malaysia. The main purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between self-compassion, satisfaction in romantic relationships, and psychological well-being among young emerging adults in Malaysia. In addition, the mechanism of how self-compassion may contribute to well-being was examined by focusing on the mediating effects of trust, expression of love, and commitment. Participants were 400 Malaysians aged 18 to 25 who had been in a relationship for at least six months but were not married at the time of data collection. They completed an online survey consisting of the Self-Compassion Scale, the Trust in Close Relationships Scale, the Adapted Version of the Affection Communication Scale, the Commitment Scale, the Relationship Assessment Scale, and the Psychological Well-Being Scale. A significant positive relationship was found between self-compassion, satisfaction with romantic relationships, and psychological well-being. Participants reported high levels of trust and commitment but relatively low levels of love expression in romantic relationships. The relationship between self-compassion and romantic relationship satisfaction was confirmed by the mediating effects of trust, love expression, and commitment. This study provides a better understanding of how self-compassion contributes to romantic relationships and psychological well-being in a broader cultural context.

Effects of self-compassion on aggression and its psychological mechanism through perceived stress

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Nov 2024

Given the increasing global concerns about aggressive behaviors and the pressing need for effective psychological interventions, this study delves into the potential of a concept deeply rooted in positive and Buddhist psychology but largely researched in Western contexts, as a mitigating factor against aggression in Chinese adults. Through three core studies involving 652 participants (age: 30.52±8.16), our research illuminated the intricate relationship between self-compassion, perceived stress, and aggression. Study 1 identified a negative correlation among these variables, setting the empirical foundation. In Study 2, participants exposed to a self-compassion exercise reported enhanced self-compassion and reduced aggression. Study 3 further consolidated these findings, with participants in the self-compassion writing group, showing notable increases in self-compassion and decreases in aggression compared to a control group. Critically, perceived stress emerged as a significant mediator between self-compassion and aggression, elucidating its central role in this dynamic. Together, our findings underscore the promise of self-compassion as a strategy to curb aggression tendencies, especially in light of its influential relationship with perceived stress, suggesting vital implications for future mental health interventions.

Párkapcsolat és a személyiség működésmintázatai: A boweni szelf-differenciáció nyomán / Relationship and personality functioning patterns: Following Bowen's self-differentiation

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Aug 2024

Elméleti háttér: A párkapcsolati elégedettség a párok romantikus kapcsolataira vonatkozó átfogó és általános szubjektív értékelését foglalja magában. A különböző nézőpontokat képviselő vizsgálati eredmények mind ugyanabban szolgálnak megerősítésül: a párkapcsolati működés alkotóelemeinek egyediségét, változatosságát támasztják alá. Az elégedettség szempontjából ugyanakkor ritkán vizs-gálnak olyan transzgenerációs folyamatok eredményeként kialakuló jellemzőket, mint amilyen a szü-lőkről való érzelmi leválás. A kapcsolatok szempontjából azonban ennek szerepe kulcsfontosságú, hi-szen meghatározhatja azok minőségét, sikerességét és egyben stabilitását is. Módszerek: Jelen kutatás a magyar lakosság tizennyolc év feletti, önbevallása alapján elkötelezett párkapcsolatban élő szemé-lyeit (n = 533) vizsgálta meg. Magyar mintán elsőként került feltárásra, hogy olyan jellegzetes, együt-tesen ritkán vizsgált változók mentén, mint az érzelmi leválás (szelf-differenciáció), az önegyüttérzés, a hála és a párkapcsolati elégedettség, az egyének vajon milyen működésmintázati modellek felállítá-sát teszik lehetővé. Méréseinket az Érzelmi Leválás Kérdőív, a Hála Kérdőív, az Önegyüttérzés Skála és a Kapcsolati Elégedettség Skála felhasználásával hajtottuk végre. A személyiségek elkülönítését és szisztematikus csoportosítását pedig hierarchikus klaszterelemzés eljárással végeztük el. Eredmények: Az elemzés következtében a "fiatal-magasan differenciálatlan", "a fiatal-differenciált" és az "idős-differenciálatlan" párkapcsolati működésmódok leírására nyílt lehetőség. A legnagyobb mértékű differenciáltságot, önegyüttérzést és hálakészséget mutató "fiatal-differenciált" klaszter (Mdn = 37), szignifikánsan különbözött a fiatal-magasan differenciálatlan (Mdn = 36; U = 15648; Z =-3,118; p = 0,002; r = 0,16) és az idős-differenciálatlan (Mdn = 31; U = 5162; Z =-7,556; p < 0,001; r = 0,44) klasztertől is, így egyben a párkapcsolatával leginkább elégedett klaszternek minősült. Következteté-sek: A három profil összehasonlítása során megállapíthattuk, hogy a legmagasabb szintű elégedett-séget a leválás, az önegyüttérzés, és a hálakészség együttes intenzitása biztosíthatja. Általános ér-vényűnek bizonyult továbbá az a vizsgálati tapasztalat, hogy a szelf differenciáltsági állapota és az önegyüttérzés a párkapcsolati kiegyensúlyozottság szempontjából egyformán meghatározó lehet.

A Study of the Dyadic Associations of Self-Compassion on Sexual Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction: Evidence of Differential Associations

Article

Full-text available

Aug 2024
J SEX RES

Recent research has supported the positive effects of self-compassion for couples' relationships; however, these efforts have only recently been applied to couples' sexuality. Although there is some evidence supporting the associations between self-compassion and sexual satisfaction when satisfaction is conceptualized unidimensionally, it is unclear if and to what degree those associations are different for satisfaction and dissatisfaction when these constructs are assessed separately. The aim of this study was to understand the associations between self-compassion separately for sexual satisfaction and sexual dissatisfaction for romantic partner dyads. A sample of 230 married midlife Canadian couples participated in an online survey. Findings from distinguishable Actor Partner Interdependence Models indicated that women and men with higher levels of self-compassion reported more sexual satisfaction and less sexual dissatisfaction but the effects were stronger for satisfaction than dissatisfaction. Only men's self-compassion affected women's sexual dissatisfaction, but not vice versa. Findings are discussed in terms of their relevance to societal attitudes and application to sex and couples therapy.

Nurturing the Self: How Yin Yoga Enhances Compassion, Wellbeing, and Mindfulness in Future Instructors

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Full-text available

May 2025

Existing literature suggests that qualities such as self-compassion, wellbeing, and mindfulness in yoga instructors contribute positively to trainee outcomes. Although research is limited, prior studies indicate that Yin Yoga, rooted in Taoist and Hatha Yoga, fosters these qualities. Yin Yoga is a slow, mindful practice that encourages self-compassionate awareness. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Yin Yoga on self-compassion, wellbeing, and mindfulness among participants in a seven-month Yin Yoga teacher training program in Istanbul, Türkiye. Using a one-group pre-test–post-test quasi-experimental design, the study revealed significant improvements in participants' self-compassion, wellbeing, and mindfulness levels from pre- to post-assessment. A notable correlation was also found between wellbeing and mindfulness, as well as between self-compassion and mindfulness. Thematic analysis of open-ended responses further supported these quantitative findings, highlighting participants' enhanced self-awareness and emotional regulation. Results suggest that consistent Yin Yoga practice may effectively promote these psychological attributes in trainees. Future mixed-method research is recommended to explore additional psychological factors that may enhance Yin Yoga instructors' teaching abilities.

Sense of meaning in life, self-acceptance, and prosocial behavior: an application of network analysis methods

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2025

Objective To explore the characteristics and core items of the network structure between school students’ sense of meaning in life, self-acceptance, and prosocial behavior, and to provide a basis for understanding the relationship between their sense of meaning in life, self-acceptance and prosocial behavior and related interventions. Methods A survey of 1232 school students was conducted using the Self-Acceptance Scale, the prosocial Behavior Scale, and the Sense of Meaning of Life Scale. Network analysis was used to construct the network of prosocial behavior, self-acceptance, and sense of the meaning of life among school students, and the software R was used for statistical analysis and visualization. Results In the regularized bias correlation network of self-acceptance, prosocial behavior, and sense of meaning in life among school students, self-acceptance and self-appraisal, having meaning and self-appraisal, anonymity and altruism had the strongest correlation; emotionality, altruism, and urgency had the highest expected impact; and having meaning and self-appraisal had the highest expected impact of the bridge. Conclusion Self-acceptance, meaning in life, and prosocial behavior are interrelated; interventions targeting emotionality, altruism, and urgency in the prosocial behavior dimensions may maximize prosocial behavioral effects among college students.

A meta-analysis of self-compassion and attachment in adults

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2025
PSYCHOL PSYCHOTHER-T

Objective Attachment might shape the extent to which a person is self‐compassionate. Despite the plethora of research examining attachment and self‐compassion, no previous systematic review has quantified the magnitude of the associations between self‐compassion and different attachment dimensions. Design Random‐effects meta‐analyses examined the magnitude of the associations of self‐compassion with anxious, avoidant, and secure attachment, using correlational effects ( r ‐value). Moderator analyses tested whether the effects varied as a function of participant age, sex, population type (students vs. community sample) and attachment measure used within studies. Methods A systematic search of the literature using SCOPUS, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases retrieved 37 eligible studies. Results The meta‐analyses revealed a medium effect size for the positive association between self‐compassion with secure attachment, r avg = .395, 95% CI [0.248, 0.524], and medium and small effect sizes for the negative associations with anxious attachment, r avg = −.282, 95% CI [−0.329, −0.233], and avoidant attachment, r avg = −.280, 95% CI [−0.320, −0.240]. Moderator analyses indicate that the magnitude of associations with avoidant attachment varied as a function of participant age and population type (students vs. community samples). Conclusions The findings suggest differential associations between self‐compassion and attachment dimensions. Self‐compassion was positively associated with secure attachment, while the reverse was found for insecure attachment. Negative associations between self‐compassion and avoidant attachment were larger for older individuals. Ageing populations may be vulnerable to lower self‐compassion when already more prone to experiencing avoidant attachment. Compassion‐focused therapy may be an effective therapeutic option when working with individuals reliant on anxious or avoidant attachment dimensions.

Changes in stress-related outcomes among graduate students following the Mindfulness Ambassador Program: A pilot study

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Full-text available

Jan 2025
PLOS ONE

Objectives Graduate students face numerous demands, high stress levels, and associated challenges to intra- and inter-personal relationships. Mindfulness may help to ease such challenging experiences. The Mindfulness Ambassador Program (MAP) is a promising group-based program that has not yet been studied among graduate students. The primary objectives of this study were to: (1) explore graduate students’ perceptions of stress, and their relationships with themselves and meaningful others; (2) explore graduate students’ perspectives of and satisfaction with the MAP; and (3) investigate if participation in the MAP elicited changes in graduate students’ perceived levels of stress, self-awareness, interpersonal skills, and/or social connectedness. Methods In this one-group, pre/post mixed-methods pilot study, nine participants completed pre-post questionnaires and participated in a semi-structured interview post-intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, thematic analysis, and paired t-tests. Results Pre-intervention, qualitative themes included participants experiencing moderate-to-high stress levels, intrapersonal conflict, interpersonal relationship challenges, and seeing oneself as a work in progress. Post-intervention themes included better stress management, increased consideration for oneself and others, feelings of connection with others, and overall satisfaction with the MAP. Statistically significant improvements were found from pre- to post-intervention in mean score differences for perceived stress (p = .043), private self-awareness (p = .006), awareness of immediate surroundings (p = .044), and social connectedness (p = .006). Conclusions Participants reported several benefits from their positive experience participating in the MAP. These findings may be used to inform future mindfulness-based programming for graduate students.

Philautía, amor propio y autoayuda en la contemporaneidad: El amor propio no es amor

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Full-text available

Dec 2024

El estudio examina la evolución del concepto de amor propio en la sociedad contemporánea, contrastándolo con las perspectivas de Aristóteles y Jean-Luc Marion. Aristóteles distingue entre un amor propio virtuoso, alineado con la virtud y el bien común, y uno vicioso, marcado por el egoísmo. Marion, por su parte, ofrece un contraste radical, viendo el amor como un fenómeno saturado que trasciende al sujeto y se orienta hacia la alteridad, desafiando la noción de amor propio o autorreferencial. El artículo destaca cómo las narrativas modernas, influenciadas por la psicología positiva y la cultura de la autoayuda, han transformado el amor propio en una herramienta de autosatisfacción, desvinculada de su dimensión ética y comunitaria, lo que a su vez afecta las relaciones humanas y la cohesión social. La investigación utiliza un enfoque hermenéutico exegético para explorar cómo ambos marcos filosóficos pueden contribuir a una comprensión más profunda del amor propio, enfatizando la necesidad de reevaluar este concepto en el contexto de las dinámicas sociales actuales.

The Mediating Role of Self-Compassion in the Relationship between Psychological Flexibility and Depression

Article

Dec 2024

The study explored the mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between psychological flexibility and depression. The participants consisted of 307 people, 183 women and 124 men, aged between 18- 59. The study employed the correlational research design, one of the quantitative research methods. The data were collected using the Demographic Information Form, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, and the Self-Compassion Scale. In data analysis, the independent samples t-test and mediation analysis methods were used. According to the mediation analysis, self-compassion had a partial mediating role in the relationship between psychological flexibility and depression. The findings were discussed in the context of previous studies and recommendations were given.

Factors associated with low self-compassion in young adults

Article

Nov 2024
CAN J PUBLIC HEALTH

Self-compassion comprises treating oneself non-judgementally with kindness and understanding during life challenges. Our aim was to identify, from among a diverse set of sociodemographic, lifestyle behavioural, psychological, family/peer social influence, and health indicators, factors associated with low self-compassion in a population-based sample of young adults. Data on 37 factors potentially associated with low self-compassion were drawn from cycle 23 of the ongoing 24-year Nicotine Dependence in Teens (NDIT) study for 682 participants (Mage 30.5, SD = 1.0, 41% male). Self-compassion data were drawn from cycle 25 (Mage 35.2, SD = 0.6). Crude and adjusted multivariable logistic regression models were fit separately for each factor studied. Sixteen percent of participants reported low self-compassion. Factors associated with low self-compassion included female sex, poor sleep quality, higher frequency of overeating, trying to lose weight, higher depressive symptoms, low self-esteem, higher daily stress, body-related emotions, higher introjected regulation for physical activity, receiving negative comments about weight, poor self-rated health, and diagnosis of a mood or anxiety disorder. A complex array of factors may influence self-compassion, underscoring the need for better understanding of causality as well as the relationships across factors to determine which factors hold promise in terms of intervention.

Peran welas diri terhadap pengungkapan kesulitan pada individu dewasa awal dari keluarga yang bercerai

Article

Full-text available

Nov 2024

Orang dewasa awal dari keluarga yang bercerai dapat mengalami berbagai kesulitan, termasuk kesulitan interpersonal. Kesulitan interpersonal ini dapat termanifestasikan pada rendahnya pengungkapan kesulitan atau informasi pribadi yang menyakitkan (distress disclosure). Penelitian ini mengaji peran welas diri terhadap pengungkapan kesulitan pada orang dewasa awal dari keluarga yang bercerai. Data survei terhadap 128 orang dewasa awal yang orang tuanya bercerai sebelum mereka berusia 16 tahun dianalisis menggunakan regresi linier sederhana. Penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa secara umum, welas diri tidak berhubungan secara signifikan dengan pengungkapan kesulitan pada orang dewasa awal dari keluarga yang bercerai. Analisis tambahan menunjukkan korelasi positif antara komponen identifikasi berlebihan welas diri dengan pengungkapan kesulitan. Selain itu, usia perceraian orang tua berkorelasi secara positif dengan welas diri secara keseluruhan dan komponen wawas welas diri. Usia perceraian orang tua juga berkorelasi negatif dengan komponen menghakimi diri welas diri. Faktor perbedaan budaya mungkin dapat menjelaskan penemuan ini di mana dalam budaya individualistis, individu cenderung mencari orang lain untuk mengungkapkan kesulitan yang dihadapi sementara individu dalam budaya kolektivis cenderung memendam pengalaman tersebut.

Effects of a Virtual Mindful Self-Compassion Training on Mindfulness, Self-compassion, Empathy, Well-being, and Stress in Uruguayan Primary School Teachers During COVID-19 Times

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2024
Mindfulness

Objectives This study aimed to assess the effects of a virtual Mindful Self-compassion (MSC) intervention on mindfulness and self-compassion, empathy, stress, and well-being in Uruguayan primary school teachers, during COVID-19 times. Method A quasi-experimental, longitudinal study was conducted with an active control intervention that involved practicing Kundalini yoga (KY). Uruguayan volunteer female teachers were randomly assigned to MSC or KY 9-week virtual training. They completed self-reported psychometric tests and an empathy for pain task (EPT) at pre- and post-training, and follow-up (3 months). Results At post-MSC training, mindfulness (observing, non-reactivity, and total mindfulness) and self-compassion (self-kindness, common humanity, mindfulness, and self-judgment) increased. The empathy dimensions perspective-taking increased and personal distress decreased. Stress decreased and well-being increased. Concerning EPT, the accuracy in attributing intentionality to the harm inflicted, i.e., the intentionality comprehension accuracy, increased. At follow-up, observing and total mindfulness remained elevated, and non-judging increased. Common humanity remained elevated and personal distress remained decreased. Comparing MSC with KY trainings at post-training, the psychometric tests showed that personal distress was lower in the MSC group. At follow-up, observing and total mindfulness were higher in the MSC group. No differences between groups were found for the EPT at post-training and follow-up. Conclusions Virtual MSC training increased mindfulness and self-compassion, associated with higher well-being, reduced stress, and increased empathy in primary school teachers in Uruguay. Preregistration This study is not preregistered.

Exploring teachers’ psychological needs, motivating styles, emotion regulation and self-compassion: A comparative study before and during the COVID-19 lockdown

Article

Oct 2024
TEACH TEACH EDUC

Understanding the impact of dementia on spousal relationships: A qualitative study with female spousal carers of people living with dementia

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2024
Dementia

Background: Dementia does not merely affect individuals, the carer and the person living with dementia, but also has a profound impact on their spousal relationship. As such, this study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of how dementia affects spousal relationships with a focus on interpersonal (i.e. relationship adjustment, communication engagement and emotional connection between two individuals) and intrapersonal (i.e. loss of self within the context of relationships) dynamics using a qualitative approach. The study also explored how carers adapt to such relationship challenges in the context of dementia care. Methods: A phenomenological approach was used to capture the subjective experiences of female spousal carers, who regularly support their partner living with dementia. A total of nine semi-structured interviews were conducted. Results: Relationship adjustment theme highlighted how learning to acknowledge role shifts from a spouse to a carer is critical for carers to manage relationship difficulties. Emotional connection theme demonstrated the importance of reminiscing about the shared history between dyads to cope with feelings of loss of affective intimacy. Communication engagement theme revealed carers’ need to learn a new way of communicating due to the decrease in meaningful communication and two-way interaction. Sense of self theme highlighted the importance of self-compassion to overcome feelings of self-loss and isolation. Conclusion: Findings suggest that improving the relationship between female spousal carers and their partner living with dementia may require targeted interventions addressing different factors. Such interventions can include a couple’s life story approach to enable couples to reminisce about their shared experiences, interactive communication training to enhance meaningful engagements, and a psychological approach such as compassion-focused therapy to overcome emotional challenges and facilitate self-compassion.

The Polish adaptation of the Self-Compassion Scale Short Form

Article

Full-text available

Aug 2024

Cel pracy Celem pracy była polska adaptacja skróconej Skali Współczucia Wobec Siebie (SCS-SF) oraz ocena jej właściwości psychometrycznych i struktury czynnikowej. Metoda W badaniu wzięły udział 596 osoby dorosłe (wieku 18-50 lat) z populacji ogólnej w tym 459 kobiet oraz dodatkowo 47 osób które zbadano dwa razy z miesięcznym odroczeniem celem oceny stabilności narzędzia. Procedura adaptacji została przeprowadzona z zachowaniem wierności tłumaczenia oryginalnej wersji skali. Rzetelność pomiaru oceniono za pomocą wskaźnika spójności wewnętrznej alfa Cronbacha oraz metody test-retest. Trafność zbieżną oceniono za pomocą analizy współczynników korelacji między wynikami SCS-SF a nasileniem: uważności (mindfulness, rozumianej jako cecha), satysfakcji z życia, poczucia własnej wartości, akceptacji doświadczeń oraz poziomem lęku i depresji. Stabilność pomiaru oceniano za pomocą współczynników korelacji wewnątrzklasowej zastosowanych do dwóch kolejnych pomiarów. Trafność czynnikową zweryfikowano za pomocą konfirmacyjnej analizy czynnikowej. Wyniki Wyniki wykazały, że SCS-SF w wersji polskiej ma satysfakcjonującą spójność wewnętrzną oraz stabilność. Analiza konfirmacyjna sugeruje obecność jednego głównego czynnika – globalnej oceny współczucia wobec siebie. Wnioski SCS-SF mierzy globalny poziom współczucia do siebie i może służyć do jej pomiaru szczególnie w badaniach o dużych ograniczeniach czasowych. W celu uzyskania informacji o podskalach współczucia wobec siebie wskazane jest używanie pełnej wersji SCS.

Predicting the Tendency to Re-experience Abusive Relationships based on Schema Modes and Self-Compassion among Students: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2024

Finding an intimate partner is an important step in adulthood that has a special effect on self-concept, and mental health. The tendency to re-experience abusive relationships refers to a person's inclination to repeatedly find themselves in abusive or unhealthy relationships. There are many factors for the Tendency to Re-experience Abusive Relationships (TREAR). This study aimed to predict TREAR based on Schema modes, and self-compassion. The present study design was predictive correlational, with the statistical population consisting of adults over 18 who have experienced emotional relationships in Rasht, Iran. Finally, 190 participants entered the study. Due to COVID-19 quarantine circumstances, we used an internet-based convenience sampling method through the social media groups of students at Rasht’s universities. Participants completed the tendency to re-experience abusive relationships scale (TREARS), schema modes, and self-compassion. Most of the participants were between age 23-32 (44.2%), and female (81.6%). According to the findings, self-compassion was greatly associated with a lower tendency to re-experience abusive relationships. In contrast, the schema modes were significantly associated with a higher score of the tendency to re-experience abusive relationships (P< .05). The coefficient of determination (R2) was equal to 0.506, indicating that 50.6% of the change in re-experiencing abusive relationships was explained by demographic characteristics, schema modes, and self-compassion. The results showed that both schema modes and self-compassion were predictors of continuing the abusive relationship cycle. These findings could have important implications for future research, especially on the prevention and treatment of individuals involved in abusive relationships.

Influence of Marital Commitment and Adult Attachment Style on Marital Flourishing

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2024

The aim of this research is to determine the influence of marital commitment and adult attachment style on the quality of marriage, specifically the marital flourishing of married young adults. In addition, the research participants were 263 respondents that were obtained using the Convenience Sampling technique, with the criteria young adult, (20-40 years old), married for at least 2 months, and living on Java Island. The instruments that were used were the Relationship Flourishing Scale (RFS), Marital Commitment Inventory (MCI), and Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ). The results showed that marital commitment (p= .000) and a secure attachment style (p = .000) significantly predict marital flourishing. Meanwhile, the fearful (p=.09), preoccupied (p=.78), and dismissing (p=.81) attachment styles do not influence marital flourishing. This study concludes that young adults who develop secure attachment patterns and a strong sense of marital commitment are more likely to experience high-quality marriages.

الدور الوسيط للتعاطف مع الذات في العلاقة بين اليقظة ‏العقلية والضغط النفسي المدرك لدى طلاب الدراسات العليا

Article

Apr 2025

د بوسي عصام محمد جاد

Perception affection of parents and self-compassion on late adolescence in Yogyakarta

Article

Aug 2022

Self-compassion is important for late adolescence because it will have a positive impact, especially when experiencing a problem, but affectionate self-compassion is also influenced by adolescents' perceptions of the love given by their parents. Based on this, this study aims to determine the relationship between perceptions of parental love and self-compassion, where this study was applied to the subject of late adolescence as many as 102 people living in Yogyakarta with the age of 18-21 years. Data collection in this study used a scale, namely the Perception Scale of Parental Love and the Self-Compassion Scale, where the data analysis technique used was the Product Moment Technique correlation of Karl Pearson. When adolescents have a positive perception of their parents' affection, late adolescence will have high self-compassion. These findings indicate that there is a significant positive relationship between perceptions of parental affection and self-compassion.

Factor Analysis of Intimate Relationship Satisfaction: Effects of Self-esteem and Self-Compassion on Emotion Regulation

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2025

Ziming Shen

Intimate relationship satisfaction reflects an individual's perception of their current intimate relationship and assesses the extent of their attachment experiences. High levels of intimate relationships are crucial for maintaining individual psychological health, inspiring positive behaviors, and enhancing overall happiness in life. One fundamental element of adult attachment involves the management of emotional discomfort within close and romantic interpersonal connections, which can manifest in various forms, including cognitive reappraisal, expression suppression, attention diversion, and emotional venting. Therefore, to study the factors that enhance satisfaction in intimate relationships, psychologists need to investigate the factors that influence people's choice of emotion regulation strategies. Self-esteem (SE) and self-compassion (SC), as core components of the ego structure, can influence an individual's decision-making when faced with difficult emotions (sadness, anger, anxiety). Thus, this article proposes a hypothesis that the levels of SC and SE will affect individuals’ tendency towards emotional regulation. In this article, a review analysis will be conducted to support the existence of this relationship and to indicate that emotional regulation behaviors mediated by high levels of SC and SE are beneficial for improving intimate relationship satisfaction. The study is expected to provide theoretical guidance for interventions and practices aimed at helping people better understand the key factors that influence intimate relationship satisfaction and enhancing emotional regulation skills to improve the quality of intimate relationships.

Investigating the Problems of Women with Veteran Spouses and Examining the Effectiveness of Compassion-Focused Therapy on Their Psychological- Marital Problems

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2024

Article type: Research Article The objective of this study was to examine the efficacy of compassion-focused therapy in addressing the psychological and marital issues of women who have a veteran spouse. The research was conducted using an exploratory mixed-methodsapproach and encompassed both qualitative and quantitative phases. In 2020, the statistical population of the survey encompassed all women with veteran spouses residing in the 13 th and 14 th districts of Tehran. In the qualitative stage, purposive sampling was employed to select and interview 19 women with veteran spouses who were referred to the District 13 Municipal Health Center. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The identification of seven themes (anxiety, depression, fatigue and disability, irritability and aggression, loneliness, life dissatisfaction, and marital conflict) was the result of this analysis in the psychological-marital dimensions. Based on these components, a questionnaire was developed to assess the psychological and marital issues of women who have a veteran spouse. The data analysis in the experimental section was performed using the Bonferroni post hoc test and repeated measures analysis of variance in SPSS software version 22. The findings indicated that women who have spouses who are veterans encounter challenges in the areas of psychological, marital, physical, social, and economic well-being. Desirable psychometric properties were observed in the psychological-marital issues of women who completed a veteran spouse questionnaire. Also, compassion-focused therapy was effective in all psychological-marital aspects of the issues faced by women with a veteran spouse, resulting in a decrease in problematic behaviors. In the future, clinicians and researchers can investigate and mitigate the psychological-marital issues of women with a veteran spouse during counseling and psychotherapy sessions by implementing the combined study method, developing tools, and choosing the most suitable treatment.

Hubungan Self Compassion Terhadap Tingkat Stres Akademik Pada Mahasiswa Baru Fakultas Psikologi UNM

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2024

Students who are less able to adjust to the campus environment can cause stres. Academic stres can hinder achievement and harm students, so they need coping strategies to reduce stres with self-compassion. This study aims to examine the relationship between academic stres and self-compassion in new students of the psychology faculty of UNM. The method used in this study is a correlational quantitative method with a total of 206 new students from the class of 2020. The data analysis technique used in this study is Sprearman Rank Correlation. The results showed that there was a relationship between self-compassion and academic stres (p=0.00 and r=-484). This means that there is a very significant negative relationship between self-compassion and academic stres. The results of this study are expected to be a reference for new students regarding the importance of practicing self-compassion in daily activities.

Actor–spouse interdependence of marital satisfaction on coparenting in longitudinal relationship: The mediating role of self‐compassion

Article

Mar 2025
FAM RELAT

Objective This study, which is based on the family system theory, aims to explore the dyadic relationship between marital satisfaction and coparenting as well as the mediating role of self‐compassion. Background As the core relationship within the family system, the marital relationship influences an individual's self‐compassion, further affecting the coparenting relationship. However, previous research has primarily focused on the role of one parent in coparenting, neglecting the dyadic interaction between fathers and mothers and the underlying mechanisms of this interaction. Method A total of 717 Chinese cisgender heterosexual married couples (father's M age = 34.73 years, SD = 4.54, mother's M age = 33.54 years, SD = 4.27) completed the Marriage Satisfaction Subscale, Self‐Compassion Scale and Coparenting Behavior Scale at three‐time points. Results In the context of positive coparenting, the T1 marital satisfaction of both husbands and wives not only influences T3 mothers' positive coparenting through T2 mothers' self‐compassion but could also influence T3 fathers' positive coparenting through T2 fathers' self‐compassion. Regarding negative coparenting, T1 husbands' and wives' marital satisfaction could only predict T3 fathers' negative coparenting through T2 fathers' self‐compassion. Conclusion The findings revealed similarities in the mechanisms of positive coparenting between fathers and mothers, whereas there are differences in the mechanisms of negative coparenting. Implications Individuals' emotions or behaviors not only affect themselves but also spill over to affect their spouse's coparenting. Parents should manage their negative emotions and improve self‐compassion to reduce the negative effects of poor marital relationships.

The Effectiveness of Logo therapy in Improving Self-Compassion and Life Expectancy in Women with Depression

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2019

Aim: The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of logo therapy in improving self-compassion and life expectancy in women with depression. Method: The present study was quasi-experimental with experimental and control groups and a pretest-posttest design. The statistical population of the study consisted of depressed women who visited counseling centers in District 5 of Tehran in 2014. After conducting a clinical interview and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and based on the purposive sampling method, we selected 36 women from the target population and randomly allocated them to experimental (16 women) and control (16 women) groups. The women in the experimental group were included in the treatment for ten 90-minute sessions per week. After completing 10 sessions of treatment, both groups were re-tested using Beck Depression Inventory, Self-Compassion Scale (Neff, 2003), and Snyder's Hope Scale (1991). We used analysis of covariance to analyze data. Results: The results indicated that the logotherapy intervention increased life expectancy rate (F= 8.71, P= 0.006) and self-compassion (F= 5.07, P= 0.031) and decreased depression rate (F= 21.44, P= 0.001) in depressed women. Conclusion: Based on the results, the logo therapy program could increase life expectancy and self-compassion in depressed housewives.

Effectiveness of compassion-focused therapy in enhancing self-esteem and functional flexibility of children of divorce

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2020

Aim: The present study aimed to determine the effect of compassion-focused therapy on self-esteem and functional flexibility of children of divorce. Method: This quasi-experimental study was conducted with a pretest-posttest design with a two-month follow-up. This study's statistical population was 87 adolescent children of divorce from Shariyar Province who were referred to the educational counseling center of Karaj due to behavioral, emotional, and educational problems. Thirty students were selected based on their low scores in Cooper Smith's self-esteem (1967), the functional flexibility of Connor and Davidson (2003), Walker, and Thompson's intimacy scale (1983). Then, 30 people were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received weekly treatment of Gilbert's compassion-focused group therapy (2009) in eight 90 minutes’ sessions. Data were analyzed using variance repeated measures. Results: Findings indicated a significant difference between the two groups' performance in self-esteem (F=5.82, P=.03) and functional flexibility (F=11.40, P=.002) in the post-test and one month follow up. Conclusion: Since self-esteem and functional flexibility level has a high effect on interpersonal relationships, education, and adjustment of children of divorce, compassion-focused therapy, which can improve and increase interactions interpersonal, can increase self-esteem and functional flexibility of adolescents. Therefore, we suggest therapists use this approach to improve adjustment, interpersonal relationships, and adolescent educational quality.

The Level of Quality of Life and its Relationship to Self-Compassion among Widowed Women in Karak Governorate

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2024

The study aimed to identify the level of the quality of life and its relationship self-compassion among widowed women in Karak Governorate. To achieve the aims of the study a sample of widowed women in Karak Governorate was chosen by available sample which consisted of (123) widows women. Two scales were developed (the Quality of Life scale and Self-Compassion scale), and the psychometric properties of the two scales were verified. The results of the study indicated a medium level of quality of life and self-compassion among widowed women. Moreovere, there was a positive statistically significant relationship between the overall degree of quality of life and Judgment self-kindness versus self and common humanity versus isolation, and the total degree of self-compassion. In addition, no statistically significant relationship between the total score and mindfulness versus over-identified. Some recommendations were made, including; Benefiting from the interrelated relationship between quality of life and self-compassion, as increasing one of them contributes to increasing the other. Also conducting more educational and counselling studies for other special groups, such as divorced and battered women, to reveal thier quality of life level, and their Self-Compassion.

Mindfulness para estudantes universitários

Technical Report

Full-text available

Jan 2025

Cartilha desenvolvida para auxiliar estudantes universitários a lidarem com os desafios da vida acadêmica com apoio das práticas de Mindfulness.

Relationship between Mother’s Parenting Anxiety and Parental Burnout: The Mediating Effect of Self-Compassion and the Moderated Mediating Effect of Social Support

Article

Nov 2024

Self-Compassion in Qualified and Student Social Workers: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

Article

Dec 2024

Purpose: Social work is an intrinsically challenging profession, with high levels of distress and burnout reported amongst professionals. Self-compassion has been suggested as a coping resource that may benefit social workers and reduce levels of distress. There is reason to believe that low self-compassion may confer a vulnerability in social workers, particularly student social workers. The current review aimed to examine how reported levels of self-compassion in social workers compare to the general population and how they compare between qualified and student social workers. Additionally, this review explored the relationship between self-compassion and age, sex/gender, psychological distress, and work-related psychological wellbeing within social workers. Materials and methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using APA PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Medline. Twenty-nine articles met inclusion criteria and were assessed for risk of bias. Meta-analysis was used to synthesize the results. Results: The meta-analysis found that qualified social workers reported significantly higher levels of self-compassion than student social workers and published general population estimates, although heterogeneity was high. There was some evidence to suggest that levels of self-compassion are related to age, but not to sex/gender. Self-compassion was significantly negatively correlated with psychological distress. Discussion and conclusion: The tentative conclusion that qualified social workers may report relatively high levels of self-compassion is encouraging, given the evidenced negative relationship with psychological distress. Given student social workers appear to report lower levels of self-compassion, they may benefit from interventions/support to bolster it, although systemic factors influencing wellbeing must also be considered.

Self-Compassion Through a Relational Lens: An Analysis of How the Rewards Extend Beyond the Individual

Article

Dec 2024
AM J FAM THER

Katherine L. Morris

Investigation of the effect of emotional reactivity level on work life and romantic relationships in adult individuals

Thesis

Full-text available

Dec 2024

Seren Nakhavali

In this study the relationship between the level of emotional reactivity and business life and romantic relationships in adult individuals and the differences of these variables according to demographic characteristics were examined.

EVLİLİK KAYGISININ BAĞLANMA STİLLERİNE GÖRE İNCELENMESİ

Article

Nov 2024

Bu araştırmada evli olmayan bireylerde evlilik kaygısının bağlanma stillerine göre incelenmesi amaçlanmaktadır. Sakarya Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi’nde öğrenim gören 271’i kadın, 51’i erkek olmak üzere 322 üniversite öğrencisi araştırmaya gönüllü katılım sağlamıştır. Araştırmada veriler Evlilik Kaygısı Ölçeği ve Üç Boyutlu Bağlanma Stilleri Ölçeği aracılığı ile toplanmıştır. Ayrıca Kişisel Bilgi formunda katılımcıların cinsiyetleri, yaşları, anne babanın birliktelik durumu ve bireyin ilişki durumuna ilişkin sorular yer almıştır. Araştırma ilişkisel model bağlamında tasarlanmıştır. Verilerin analizinde Korelasyon Analizi ve Hiyerarşik Regresyon Analizi kullanılmıştır. Analizlerden elde edilen bulgulara göre kaygılı kararsız bağlanma ve güvenli bağlanma stillerinin bireylerin evlilik kaygısını anlamlı düzeyde yordadığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Kaygılı kararsız bağlanma arttıkça evlilik kaygısı düzeyi artmakta, güvenli bağlanma arttıkça ise, evlilik kaygısı düzeyi azalmaktadır. Araştırma sonuçları alanyazın bağlamında tartışılmıştır.

Association between childhood trauma and social anxiety in adolescents: The mediating role of self-compassion and loneliness

Article

Oct 2024

Gender Differences in Variability in Intimate Relationship Satisfaction: A Secondary Analysis and Meta-Analysis

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2024
CLIN CHILD FAM PSYCH

There is a long-standing interest in gender differences in satisfaction in intimate relationships. Whereas prior research has focused on gender differences in central tendency (i.e., means), we conducted two studies – a secondary analysis of data from a probability sample of Australian married couples and a meta-analysis – to examine gender differences in variability (i.e., variances). We hypothesized that compared to males, females would demonstrate greater variability in intimate relationship satisfaction (i.e., greater female variability hypothesis), particularly at lower levels of relationship satisfaction. Results from a secondary analysis of data from 2,711 married couples in the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey and from a meta-analysis of 20 years of research (k = 171, N = 84,976), including independent samples from 33 countries, indicated that relative to males, females reported greater variability in relationship satisfaction. Obtained effect sizes (female-to-male variance ratios [VRs] of 1.42 for the HILDA sample and 1.19 for the meta-analysis) were larger than proposed cutoffs for meaningful group differences in variability. Analysis of tail ratios (ratios of the relative proportion of females divided by the relative proportion of males in the distributional tail regions) in the HILDA sample indicated that gender differences in variability were greater at lower (versus higher) levels of satisfaction. Findings support the greater female variability hypothesis and suggest that by focusing only on gender differences in means, the existing literature has underestimated gender differences in intimate relationship satisfaction.

The relationship between personality, self-compassion, and social interest levels of psychological counsellor candidates

Article

Jan 2024

Influence of Self-Compassion, Self-Reflection, and Insight on Interpersonal Competence in Emerging Adults

Article

Sep 2024

Social relationships have been declining over the years, especially after the pandemic. Therefore, it becomes important to understand what influences one’s social relationships. The present study investigated the influence of self-compassion, self-reflection, and insight on interpersonal competence among emerging adults. It also aimed to understand if having a psychology background in education and experience of therapy is associated with the participants’ levels of self-compassion, self-reflection, and insight. Using convenience sampling, a sample of N = 335 undergraduate and postgraduate students was selected to answer the Self-Compassion Scale Short Form, Self-Reflection and Insight Scale, and Interpersonal Competence Questionnaire that were circulated electronically along with a consent form. Statistical analysis using Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression indicated that self-compassion, self-reflection, and insight each have positive relationships with interpersonal competence with self-compassion and self-reflection together significantly predicting 13.5% variance in interpersonal competence. Analysis using independent samples t-test indicated that there are significant differences in self-reflection and insight scores between those who have experience in psychology education and therapy and those who lack them. These findings strengthen the understanding that aspects of oneself are related to their social relationships and strengths and problems in one domain could be linked to the same in others. Future research can focus on developing interventions aimed at improving interpersonal competence through self-compassion and self-reflection. Further, influence of other aspects of self on interpersonal competence can also be explored to strengthen the proposed theory of relationship between self and others.

The mediating role of mindfulness and emotion regulation in the relationship between teacher self-compassion and work engagement among EFL teachers: A serial mediation model

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2024
System

This study investigates the role of self-compassion in fostering work engagement among English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers, employing a serial mediation model that incorporates mindfulness and emotion regulation as potential mediating variables. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, the researchers examined self-reported data from 322 EFL teachers in Iran. Participants were recruited using a convenience sampling strategy, reaching out to directors of private language institutes across various districts who then distributed the survey to their teachers. Standardized measures were used to assess self-compassion, dispositional mindfulness, and emotion regulation strategies. The findings provide robust support for the hypothesized model, revealing a significant positive association between self-compassion and work engagement, partially mediated by both mindfulness and emotion regulation. These results suggest that cultivating self-compassion among EFL teachers may be a valuable strategy to enhance their overall well-being and promote a more engaged and fulfilling work experience. The study contributes to the advancement of knowledge regarding teacher well-being and offers practical implications for the development of interventions targeting self-compassion, mindfulness, and emotion regulation within educational settings.

Self Compassion and Relationship Satisfaction Among Romantic Couples

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2024

The research paper aims to study self-compassion and relationship satisfaction among romantic couples. The findings revealed that Relationship satisfaction and self-compassion have a significant inverse correlation, indicating that a higher level of self-compassion may be linked to a lower level of relationship satisfaction. In this sample, self-compassion and relationship satisfaction are not significantly influenced by gender, suggesting that men and women have equivalent amounts of these categories. Also, self-compassion and relationship satisfaction are significantly influenced by relationship status. Relationship satisfaction differs greatly depending on the nature of connection; love marriages are more satisfied than arranged marriages and in-love partnerships.

Perfectionistic Cognitions, Self-Compassion, and Psychological Distress Among Veterinary Students

Article

Jun 2024

Relation of Threatened Egotism to Violence and Aggression: The Dark Side of High Self-Esteem

Article

Full-text available

Jan 1996

Conventional wisdom has regarded low self-esteem as an important cause of violence, but the opposite view is theoretically viable. An interdisciplinary review of evidence about aggression, crime, and violence contradicted the view that low self-esteem is an important cause. Instead, violence appears to be most commonly a result of threatened egotism—that is, highly favorable views of self that are disputed by some person or circumstance. Inflated, unstable, or tentative beliefs in the self’s superiority may be most prone to encountering threats and hence to causing violence. The mediating process may involve directing anger outward as a way of avoiding a downward revision of the self-concept.

The Attachment Behavioral System In Adulthood: Activation, Psychodynamics, And Interpersonal Processes

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2003
ADV EXP SOC PSYCHOL

Our model outlines the cognitive operations, response strategies, and dynamics of the attachment system in adulthood. It also describes the goals of each attachment strategy and their psychological manifestations and consequences. Whereas the goals of security-based strategies are to form intimate relationships, to build a person's psychological resources, and to broaden his or her perspectives and capacities, the goal of secondary attachment strategies is to manage attachment-system activation and reduce or eliminate the pain caused by frustrated proximity-seeking attempts. Hyperactivating strategies keep the person focused on the search for love and security, and constantly on the alert for threats, separations, and betrayals. Deactivating strategies keep the attachment system in check, with serious consequences for cognitive and emotional openness. This framework serves as our "working model" for understanding the activation and functioning of the attachment system in adulthood. It also provides a framework for reviewing our research findings, which is the mission of the next section.

Conceptualizing romantic love as an attachment process

Article

Full-text available

Mar 1987

This article explores the possibility that romantic love is an attachment process--a biosocial process by which affectional bonds are formed between adult lovers, just as affectional bonds are formed earlier in life between human infants and their parents. Key components of attachment theory, developed by Bowlby, Ainsworth, and others to explain the development of affectional bonds in infancy, were translated into terms appropriate to adult romantic love. The translation centered on the three major styles of attachment in infancy--secure, avoidant, and anxious/ambivalent--and on the notion that continuity of relationship style is due in part to mental models (Bowlby's "inner working models") of self and social life. These models, and hence a person's attachment style, are seen as determined in part by childhood relationships with parents. Two questionnaire studies indicated that relative prevalence of the three attachment styles is roughly the same in adulthood as in infancy, the three kinds of adults differ predictably in the way they experience romantic love, and attachment style is related in theoretically meaningful ways to mental models of self and social relationships and to relationship experiences with parents. Implications for theories of romantic love are discussed, as are measurement problems and other issues related to future tests of the attachment perspective.

Relation of Threatened Egotism to Violence and Aggression: The Dark Side of High Self Esteem

Article

Full-text available

Feb 1996

Laura Richman

Conventional wisdom has regarded low self-esteem as an important cause of violence, but the opposite view is theoretically viable. An interdisciplinary review of evidence about aggression, crime, and violence contradicted the view that low self-esteem is an important cause. Instead, violence appears to be most commonly a result of threatened egotism--that is, highly favorable views of self that are disputed by some person or circumstance. Inflated, unstable, or tentative beliefs in the self's superiority may be most prone to encountering threats and hence to causing violence. The mediating process may involve directing anger outward as a way of avoiding a downward revision of the self-concept.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Health Care Professionals: Results From a Randomized Trial

Article

Full-text available

May 2005

The literature is replete with evidence that the stress inherent in health care negatively impacts health care professionals, leading to increased depression, decreased job satisfaction, and psychological distress. In an attempt to address this, the current study examined the effects of a short-term stress management program, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), on health care professionals. Results from this prospective randomized controlled pilot study suggest that an 8-week MBSR intervention may be effective for reducing stress and increasing quality of life and self-compassion in health care professionals. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

The Relationship Assessment Scale

Article

Full-text available

Feb 1998
J SOC PERS RELAT

This paper offers new information on the reliability and validity of the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS; Hendrick, 1988), a seven-item generic measure of relationship satisfaction. The RAS shows moderate to high correlations with measures of marital satisfaction, good test-retest reliability and consistent measurement properties across samples of ethnically diverse and age-diverse couples, as well as partners seeking marital and family therapy. The RAS is an appropriate, useful and brief measure for partnered love relationships in a wide variety of research settings.

Narcissism and Commitment in Romantic Relationships: An Investment Model Analysis

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2002
Pers Soc Psychol Bull

Two studies examined narcissism and commitment in ongoing romantic relationships. In Study 1, narcissism was found to be negatively related to commitment. Mediational analyses further revealed that this was primarily a result of narcissists’ perception of alternatives to their current relationship. Study 2 replicated these findings with an additional measure of alternatives. Again, narcissists reported less commitment to their ongoing romantic relationship. This link was mediated by both perception of alternatives and attention to alternative dating partners. The utility of an interdependence approach to understanding the role of personality in romantic relationships is discussed.

Do negative interactions mediate the effects of Negative Emotionality, Communal Positive Emotionality, and Constraint on relationship satisfaction?

Article

Full-text available

Aug 2007
J SOC PERS RELAT

Previous research has shown that the personalities of both partners are associated with the qualities of their romantic relationship. This study extends this literature by examining whether or not reports of negative relationship interactions mediate the effects of personality traits on judgments of relationship satisfaction and quality. Participants were 337 couples from the Family Transitions Project who completed a comprehensive personality questionnaire and several scales measuring relationship behaviors and satisfaction. Negative Emotionality and Communal Positive Emotionality were related to both self- and partner reports of relationship satisfaction. These associations were substantially mediated by negative relationship interactions. Discussion furthers the ongoing rapprochement between intrapersonal and interpersonal approaches to the study of romantic relationships.

Mindfulness as a Context for the Cultivation of Compassion

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2010

Dennis Tirch

Mindfulness training and compassion-focused approaches are both significant, rising clinical and research trends in cognitive and behavioral therapies. In the historical Buddhist lineages that developed mindfulness practices, initial training in mindfulness frequently evolves into specific training in compassion and loving kindness for self and others. The sequencing of this mental training would suggest that there is a relationship between the experience of mindfulness and the experience of compassion, wherein mindfulness may serve as a context for compassion-focused approaches. Accordingly, current cognitive and behavioral therapies that make use of these concepts often interrelate the development of mindfulness with an emergent compassionate perspective. If this relationship is to bear the scrutiny of a scientific practice, then we would expect to see evidence of a such a relationship between the experience of mindfulness and compassion. Further, a scientific rationale for mindfulness as a context for compassion-focused therapies would be useful, if Western therapies are to integrate these processes responsibly. The present article is aimed at providing an exploration of the constructs of mindfulness and compassion, and the hypothesized neurophysiological processes involved in their cultivation. An examination of the relevant theoretical and neuroimaging literature reveals that both mindful awareness and a felt sense of compassion may be interrelated dimensions of human functioning, having their evolutionary roots in human relational behaviors. This is in accord with Buddhist philosophy, which has explained both the experience of mindful awareness and the phenomenology of an arising of compassion as correlates of a direct experience of the self as an interrelated part of a greater process of ever-evolving, interbeing.

Self-Criticism and Self-Warmth: An Imagery Study Exploring Their Relation to Depression

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2006
J Cognit Psychother

When things go wrong for people, those who are self-critical, compared to those who self-reassure, are at increased risk of psychopathology. However, little is known of the internal processes involved in self-criticism and self-reassurance, such as the ease of eliciting critical imagery, and the power, emotion and vividness of self-criticalness and self-reassurance. This study used a self-imagery task to investigate trait self-criticism and trait self-reassurance in relation to the ease and clarity of generating self-critical and self-reassuring images, and the felt power and emotion of self-critical and self-reassuring imagery. We also explored these in relation to depressive symptoms in students. Results suggested that trait self-criticism is associated with ease and clarity in generating hostile and powerful self-critical images, while trait self-reassurance is associated with ease and clarity of generating warm and supportive images of the self. Data analysis using structural equation models also suggests that difficulties in generating self-reassurance and compassionate images about the self with self-directed warmth, may also contribute to depressive symptoms. Thus self-critics may not only suffer for elevated negative feelings about the self but may also struggle to be able to generate self-supportive images and feelings for the self, and these difficulties could be a focus of therapeutic interventions.

Individuality and Relatedness: Evolution of a Fundamental Dialectic

Article

Full-text available

Feb 1994

Western psychologies have traditionally given greater importance to self-development than to interpersonal relatedness, stressing the development of autonomy independence, and identity as central factors in the mature personality. In contrast, women, many minority groups, and non-Western societies have generally placed greater emphasis on issues of relatedness. This article traces the individualistic bias and recent challenges to this view. It is proposed that evolutionary pressures of natural selection result in 2 basic developmental lines: interpersonal relatedness and self-definition, which interact in a dialectical fashion. An increasingly mature sense of self is contingent on interpersonal relationships: conversely, the continued development of increasingly mature interpersonal relationships is contingent on mature self-definition. Conclusions include implications for social policy and for facilitating more balanced development of both dimensions in all members of society. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

Teaching Self-Care to Caregivers: Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on the Mental Health of Therapists in Training

Article

Full-text available

May 2007

Preparation for the role of therapist can occur on both professional and personal levels. Research has found that therapists are at risk for occupationally related psychological problems. It follows that self-care may be a useful complement to the professional training of future therapists. The present study examined the effects of one approach to self-care, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), for therapists in training. Using a prospective, cohort-controlled design, the study found participants in the MBSR program reported significant declines in stress, negative affect, rumination, state and trait anxiety, and significant increases in positive affect and self-compassion. Further, MBSR participation was associated with increases in mindfulness, and this enhancement was related to several of the beneficial effects of MBSR participation. Discussion highlights the potential for future research addressing the mental health needs of therapists and therapist trainees. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

Self-criticism and Conflict Resolution in Romantic Couples

Article

Full-text available

Jul 1999

120 heterosexual college student couples (mean age 21.5 yrs) completed measures of self-criticism and relational schemas and then attempted to resolve 2 conflicts while being videotaped. Overt hostility was rated from the videotapes. In both girlfriends and boyfriends, self-criticism was associated with negative relational schemas and more negative cognitive-affective reactions during the conflict resolution task. Self-critical women displayed greater overt hostility towards their partners. Structural equation modeling (SEM) demonstrated that negative relational schemas functioned as mediating variables that explained negative cognitive affective reactions during the task. The SEM also showed that, in women, negative cognitive-affective reactions predicted overt hostility, which in turn predicted partners' distress and overt hostility. The results bolster cognitive interpersonal analyses of depression by illustrating how cognitive structures associated with a hypothesized vulnerability (self-criticism) can have important interpersonal correlates. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

The Metaphysics of Measurement: The Case of Adult Attachment

Article

Full-text available

Nov 1993

[define and discuss] the 3 dominant approaches to conceptualizing and measuring individual differences in adult attachment: dimensional, typological, and prototype / outline a particular theory of adult attachment, K. Bartholomew's 4-category model, that incorporates all 3 approaches / describe the associated measurement instruments / define and illustrate a number of conceptual questions that arise within and between the measurement approaches / how can the 'correct' attachment dimensions be identified / are these dimensions reducible to general personality factors / are prototype measures of attachment more powerful than categorical measures / what implications do the different approaches hold for the assessment of reliability and stability / emphasize the interconnection of theoretical analysis and measurement procedure (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

Attachment Style as a Predictor of Adult Romantic Relationships

Article

Full-text available

Feb 1990

Questionnaire measures of attachment style, attachment history, beliefs about relationships, self-esteem, limerence, loving, love addiction, and love styles were administered to 374 undergraduates. Attachment style was related in theoretically expected ways to attachment history and to beliefs about relationships. Securely attached Ss reported relatively positive perceptions of their early family relationships. Avoidant Ss were most likely to report childhood separation from their mother and to express mistrust of others. Anxious-ambivalent subjects were less likely than avoidant Ss to see their father as supportive, and they reported a lack of independence and a desire for deep commitment in relationships. The self-esteem measure and each of the scales measuring forms of love were factor analyzed separately. Analyses based on scale scores derived from the resulting factors indicated that attachment style was also strongly related to self-esteem and to the various forms of love discussed in other theoretical frameworks. The results suggest that attachment theory offers a useful perspective on adult love relationships. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

Self-Evaluation Maintenance in Marriage: Toward a Performance Ecology of the Marital Relationship

Article

Full-text available

Dec 1996

The self-evaluation maintenance (SEM) model was originally developed to integrate distinct literatures on the potential positive and negative consequences for the self of being outperformed by others. Because close others are of particular importance for both of the basic processes thought to underlie the SEM model, committed heterosexual relationships provide an area in which relatively robust SEM effects should occur. In keeping with the expectation that SEM effects would be present among committed, heterosexual, married couples, the current series of studies demonstrated (a) that experimental manipulations of SEM processes influenced the behavior of married couples, (b) that patterns of couple outcomes conformed to predictions derived from the SEM model, and (c) that SEM effects accounted for inaccurate perceptions of partner needs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

Adult Attachment, Working Models, and Relationship Quality in Dating Couples

Article

Full-text available

Apr 1990

Three studies were conducted to examine the correlates of adult attachment. In Study 1, an 18-item scale to measure adult attachment style dimensions was developed based on Hazan and Shaver's (1987) categorical measure. Factor analyses revealed three dimensions underlying this measure: the extent to which an individual is comfortable with closeness, feels he or she can depend on others, and is anxious or fearful about such things as being abandoned or unloved. Study 2 explored the relation between these attachment dimensions and working models of self and others. Attachment dimensions were found to be related to self-esteem, expressiveness, instrumentality, trust in others, beliefs about human nature, and styles of loving. Study 3 explored the role of attachment style dimensions in three aspects of ongoing dating relationships: partner matching on attachment dimensions; similarity between the attachment of one's partner and caregiving style of one's parents; and relationship quality, including communication, trust, and satisfaction. Evidence was obtained for partner matching and for similarity between one's partner and one's parents, particularly for one's opposite-sex parent. Dimensions of attachment style were strongly related to how each partner perceived the relationship, although the dimension of attachment that best predicted quality differed for men and women. For women, the extent to which their partner was comfortable with closeness was the best predictor of relationship quality, whereas the best predictor for men was the extent to which their partner was anxious about being abandoned or unloved.

Who Benefits from Training in Self-Compassionate Self-Regulation? A Study of Smoking Reduction

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2010
J SOC CLIN PSYCHOL

Self-compassion has been found to promote well-being but research has yet to examine whether training in self-compassion improves self-regulation (Gilbert, 2005, 2009; Neff, 2003). the present study sought to examine the impact and moderators of a self-compassion intervention on the self-regulation of cigarette smoking. one hundred and twenty-six smokers seeking to quit were randomly assigned to one of four interventions, of which one involved engaging in self-compassionate imagery and self-talk at every urge to smoke. Multilevel mod-eling revealed that over three weeks, the self-compassion intervention reduced daily smoking more quickly than a baseline self-monitoring condition but at the same rate as two other imagery-based self-talk interventions. Moderators of self-compassion training emerged. the self-compassion intervention reduced smok-ing more rapidly if participants were low in readiness to change; were high in the trait of self-criticism; and had vivid imagery during the intervention exercises. findings suggest that training oneself to self-regulate from a self-compassionate stance might be especially effective for individuals who are able to visualize a compassionate image and whose personality and motivation would be expected to undermine the impact of traditional treatments. A self-compassionate disposition protects against emotional distress and promotes health and well-being (Gilbert, 2005; Neff, 2003). Neff operationalized self-compassion as an approach to one's pain and suffering characterized by showing oneself kindness and under-standing instead of criticism, seeing one's experiences as common

Gender and the Relationship Between Marital-Role Quality and Psychological Distress.

Article

Full-text available

Mar 1994
PSYCHOL WOMEN QUART

In this paper, we estimate the association between marital-role quality and psychological distress in a sample of 300 full-time employed women and men in dual-earner couples. We control for such individual-level variables as age, education, occupational prestige, and job-role quality, and for such couple-level variables as length of marriage, parental status, and household income. We then compare the magnitude of this effect for men and for women and for parents and nonparents. Results indicate that in dual-earner couples marital-role quality is signifycantly negatively associated with psychological distress for women as well as men and that the magnitude of the effect depends little, if at all, on gender or on parental status. These findings challenge the view that marital experiences more significantly influence women's mental health states than men's. The results are discussed in the context of identity theory.

Sensitivity to Social Put-Down: it's relationship to perceptions of social rank, shame, social anxiety, depression, anger and self-other blame

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2000
PERS INDIV DIFFER

This study set out to explore how people feel (anxious vs angry) and attribute blame for criticism with the development of a new scale called the sensitivity to put-down scale. It was found that self-blame, but not blaming others for criticism, was associated with a number of psychopathology variables such as social anxiety, depression and shame. Blaming self (but not blaming others) was also associated with increased anger proneness and hostile attitudes. This study also found that those who see themselves as relatively down rank tend to blame themselves for criticism, while those who feel relatively superior, tend to blame others. This research was contextualised in social rank theory [Gilbert, P. (1989). Human nature and suffering. Hove: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.; Gilbert, P. (1992). Depression: the evolution of powerlessness. Hove: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Ltd. and New York: Guilford] which argues that personal perceptions of one's social rank affects a range of social behaviours and affects.

The Internal Working Models Concept: What Do We Really Know About the Self in Relation to Others?

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2000
REV GEN PSYCHOL

The internal working models concept is the foundation for understanding how attach-ment processes operate in adult relationships, yet many questions exist about the precise nature and structure of working models. To clarify the working models concept, the authors evaluate the empirical evidence relevant to the content, structure, operation, and stability of working models in adult relationships. They also identify 4 theoretical issues that are critical for clarifying the properties of working models. These issues focus on the central role of affect and goals in working models, the degree to which working models are individual difference or relational variables, and the definition of attachment relationships and felt security in adulthood. Each individual builds working models of the world and of himself in it, with the aid of which he perceives events, forecasts the future, and constructs his plans. In the working models of the world that anyone builds a key feature is his notion of who his attachment figures are, where they may be found, and how they may be expected to respond. Similarly, in the working model of the self that anyone builds a key feature is his notion of how acceptable or unacceptable he himself is in the eyes of his attachment figures. (Bowlby, 1973, p, 203) Attachment theory (Bowlby, 1969, 1973, 1979, 1980) has profoundly influenced research and theorizing about the nature of human rela-tionships across the life span. The primary as-sumption of attachment theory is that humans form close emotional bonds in the interest of survival. These bonds facilitate the develop-ment and maintenance of mental representa-tions of the self and others, or "internal working models," that help individuals predict and un-derstand their environment, engage in survival-promoting behaviors such as proximity mainte-nance, and establish a psychological sense of

Relational Self‐Worth: Differences in Perceived Worth as a Person across Interpersonal Contexts among Adolescents

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2008
CHILD DEV

The present study investigated the hypothesis that in addition to perceptions of one's global self-worth as a person, individuals evaluate their self-worth differently across relational contexts. Perceptions of self-worth among adolescents were examined in 4 such contexts: with parents, teachers, male classmates, and female classmates. The factor pattern revealed a clear, 4-factor solution with negligible cross-loadings. Approximately three-fourths of the participants reported differences in self-worth, ranging from small to large, across contexts. To examine the basis for differences and similarities across relationships, self-worth in each context was predicted by the validation support reported by adolescents in that context. Support in a given context was significantly more highly correlated with relational self-worth in the corresponding context than in any of the other contexts. Adolescents could be divided into subgroups based upon the high correlation between self-worth in one particular context and global self-worth. These findings suggest that how an individual evaluates the self in certain relationships is critical to his or her overall sense of worth as a person.

Attachment styles and close relationships: A four-year prospective study

Article

Full-text available

Jun 1994
PERS RELATIONSHIP

A longitudinal study of 177 adults examined the stability of adult attachment styles and of romantic relationships over a 4-year period. Findings included the following: (a) attachment styles were highly stable over time; (b) Time 1 attachment style was a significant predictor of Time 2 relationship status, but (c) this effect was mediated by concurrent attachment style at Time 2; (d) secure respondents were less likely than insecure respondents to report one or more breakups during the 4-year interval, but (e) paradoxically, ambivalent respondents were just as likely as secure respondents to be in a relationship with the same partner they had identified 4 years earlier; and (f) attachment stability was moderated to some extent by the experience of breakup or initiation of new relationships during the interim. Respondents' ability to recall their previous attachment style was also examined. Methodological and theoretical implications are discussed, particularly with respect to the conceptualization of attachment styles as traits versus reflections of current relationship status.

Reliability and stability of adult attachment patterns

Article

Full-text available

Mar 1994
PERS RELATIONSHIP

A basic premise of attachment theory is that internal models of attachment remain relatively stable across the life span. We examined stability and change in adult attachment representations over 8 months in a sample of young adults (N = 144; Mean age = 24.5 years). Attachment patterns were assessed by categorical and continuous ratings across three methods—self-report ratings, expert ratings based on semi-structured interviews, and reports of romantic partners—and showed moderate stability. Interview ratings tended to show higher stability than self-report ratings. Changes in attachment ratings (across methods) were not consistently related to life events that had occurred in the intervening 8 months. The relationship between reliability and stability was discussed, and where the “true” stability could be estimated independent of unreliability, it was found to be very high (r's ranging from .72 to .96). The results highlight the importance of using multiple indicators in assessing adult attachment and using continuous rather than categorical ratings in the assessment of stability.

Soothing Oneself and Resisting Self-Attacks: The Treatment of Two Intrapersonal Deficits in Depression Vulnerability

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2009

Self-critical individuals are more likely to become and remain depressed (Blatt, Experiences of depression: Theoretical, research and clinical perspectives, American Psychological Association Press, Washington, DC, 2004). This vulnerability to depression may reflect the association of trait self-criticism with difficulties self-soothing and resisting self-attacks. The current study tested the impact of two self-help interventions designed to reduce depression by improving these two intrapersonal deficits. The first was designed to foster compassionate self-relating whereas the second was designed to foster resilient self-relating. Seventy-five distressed acne sufferers were assigned to one of three conditions: a self-soothing intervention, an attack-resisting intervention, or a control condition. The interventions consisted of daily imagery-based self-talk exercises inspired by Gilbert’s (Genes on the couch: Explorations in evolutionary psychotherapy, Brenner-Routledge, Hove, 2000) social mentatlities theory and compassionate mind training (Gilbert and Irons, Compassion: Conceptualisations, research and use in psychotherapy, Brunner-Routledge, London, 2005). In two weeks, the self-soothing intervention lowered shame and skin complaints. The attack-resisting intervention lowered depression, shame, and skin complaints, and was especially effective at lowering depression for self-critics. Implications for the treatment of self-criticism and depression are discussed.

Becoming a Person.

Chapter

Jan 1957

Carl R. Rogers

Attachment in adolescence , dans Jude Cassidy &Phillip Shaver (sous la direction de)

Article

Jan 1999

Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness By Jon Kabat-Zinn

Book

Jan 1990

Jon Kabat-Zinn

Physical violence in American families: Risk factors and adaptation to violence in 8,145 families

Article

Jan 1990

M.A. Straus

Self-compassion as a mechanism of change in mindfulness- and acceptance-based treatments

Article

Jan 2010

Ruth Baer

"Attachment in adolescence," in Handbook of Attachment Theory Research and Clinical Application , eds J

Article

Jan 2008

The Development and Validation of a Scale to Measure Self-Compassion

Article

Jul 2003

Kristin D. Neff

This article defines the construct of self-compassion and describes the development of the Self-Compassion Scale. Self-compassion entails being kind and understanding toward oneself in instances of pain or failure rather than being harshly self-critical; perceiving one's experiences as part of the larger human experience rather than seeing them as isolating; and holding painful thoughts and feelings in mindful awareness rather than over-identifying with them. Evidence for the validity and reliability of the scale is presented in a series of studies. Results indicate that self-compassion is significantly correlated with positive mental health outcomes such as less depression and anxiety and greater life satisfaction. Evidence is also provided for the discriminant validity of the scale, including with regard to self-esteem measures.

In Training

Article

Apr 2010

David Kirk

Assessing Mindfulness & Acceptance Processes in Clients: Illuminating the Theory & Practice of Change

Book

Jan 2010

Ruth Baer

This edited volume contains chapters on the mechanisms and processes that may account for how mindfulness-based treatments provide their beneficial effects, including mindfulness, decentering, and acceptance, psychological flexibility and values, self-compassion, emotion regulation, and spirituality, as well as changes in working memory capacity and brain functions. Self-report questionnaires for many of these processes are provided. Applications with clinical, medical, and nonclinical adult populations, children, and adolescents are discussed.

Self-compassion, Interpersonal Conflict Resolutions, and Well-being

Article

Jan 2012
SELF IDENTITY

This study examined the link between self-compassion and the balance of the needs of self and other in conflict situations. College undergraduates (N = 506) were asked to provide an example of a time in which their needs conflicted with those of their mother, father, best friend and romantic partner. Participants were asked how they resolved the conflict (subordinating, self-prioritizing, or compromising). They also reported whether their resolution choice felt authentic, the degree of emotional turmoil experienced when resolving the conflict, and their sense of well-being in each relational context. Across contexts, higher levels of self-compassion were related to greater likelihood to compromise and lesser likelihood to self-subordinate needs, as well as greater authenticity, lower levels of emotional turmoil, and higher levels of relational well-being. With fathers and romantic partners, the link between self-compassion and well-being was mediated by greater likelihood to make compromise decisions.

Relationship Styles of Self-Focused Autonomy, Other-Focused Connectedness, and Mutuality across Multiple Relationship Contexts

Article

Feb 2003

This study examined relationship styles of self-focused autonomy, other-focused connectedness, or mutuality with mothers, fathers, best friends, and romantic partners to determine if styles would be used consistently or would vary across relationships. Participants included 257 college students (M= 21.6 years). Mutuality was the most commonly reported relationship style in all relationship contexts, and no sex differences in style were found. Most participants reported using more than one relationship style across contexts, however, and styles were linked to perceptions of power within relationships: autonomy was associated with dominance, connectedness to subordinance, and mutuality to equality. Autonomy was linked to the worst psychological outcomes with parents (in terms of relationship satisfaction, self-worth, and depression), and mutuality was linked to the best outcomes with romantic partners and best friends. Findings caution against the dichotomization of autonomy and connectedness into bipolar opposites, because the integration of these two concerns is more typical in relationships. They also support the contention that orientations towards autonomy and connectedness are best conceptualized as responses to contextual features of relationships–including circumstances of power–rather than stable, fundamental aspects of self.

Self-compassion and Psychological Resilience Among Adolescents and Young Adults

Article

Jul 2010
SELF IDENTITY

Self-compassion is an adaptive way of relating to the self when considering personal inadequacies or difficult life circumstances. However, prior research has only examined self-compassion among adults. The current study examined self-compassion among adolescents (N = 235; Mage = 15.2) and included a sample of young adults as a comparison group (N = 287; Mage = 21.1). Results indicated that self-compassion was strongly associated with well-being among adolescents as well as adults. In addition, family and cognitive factors were identified as predictors of individual differences in self-compassion. Finally, self-compassion was found to partially mediate the link between family/cognitive factors and well-being. Findings suggest that self-compassion may be an effective intervention target for teens suffering from negative self-views.

Self-Compassion: An Alternative Conceptualization of a Healthy Attitude Toward Oneself

Article

Apr 2003
SELF IDENTITY

Kristin D. Neff

This article defines and examines the construct of self-compassion. Self-compassion entails three main components: (a) self-kindness—being kind and understanding toward oneself in instances of pain or failure rather than being harshly self-critical, (b) common humanity—perceiving one's experiences as part of the larger human experience rather than seeing them as separating and isolating, and (c) mindfulness—holding painful thoughts and feelings in balanced awareness rather than over-identifying with them. Self-compassion is an emotionally positive self-attitude that should protect against the negative consequences of self-judgment, isolation, and rumination (such as depression). Because of its non-evaluative and interconnected nature, it should also counter the tendencies towards narcissism, self-centeredness, and downward social comparison that have been associated with attempts to maintain self-esteem. The relation of self-compassion to other psychological constructs is examined, its links to psychological functioning are explored, and potential group differences in self-compassion are discussed.

Self-Compassion and Self-Construal in the United States, Thailand, and Taiwan

Article

Feb 2008

Self-compassion is a self-attitude construct derived from Buddhist psychology (Neff, 2003a). It entails being kind rather than harshly critical toward oneself, perceiving one's experiences as part of the larger human experience, and holding painful feelings in mindful awareness. Given that self-compassion is an Asian construct, this study compares self-compassion levels in the United States, Thailand, and Taiwan. Results indicate that self-compassion is highest in Thailand and lowest in Taiwan, with the United States falling in between. Interdependence is linked to self-compassion in Thailand only, whereas independence is linked to self-compassion in Taiwan and the United States. Results suggest that self-compassion levels in these societies are linked to specific cultural features rather than general East—West differences. However, self-compassion is significantly associated with well-being in all three cultures.

Society and the Adolescent Image Maker

Article

Dec 1965

Morris Rosenberg

The Self as a Source of Relational Difficulties

Article

Apr 2002

Mark Leary

The normal operation of the self has important implications for people's interpersonal interactions and relationships. In particular, people's relationships with others are affected by the degree to which people represent other people as part of the self, recognize that their own perceptions are necessarily egocentric, have low versus high self-esteem, and feel compelled to defend symbolic aspects of the self. This article examines the effects of these self-processes on interpersonal behavior and relationships, and offers suggestions for future research.

Personal Narratives About Guilt: Role in Action Control and Interpersonal Relationships

Article

Aug 1995
BASIC APPL SOC PSYCH

Two studies explored interpersonal and action-control aspects of guilt. Both spontaneous and partner-induced guilt were studied using first-person accounts of interpersonal transgressions and guilt manipulations. Guilt was associated with transgressions against valued partners in close relationships, especially involving interpersonal neglect, unfilled obligations, and selfish actions. Feeling guilty was associated with higher rates of learning lessons, changing subsequent behavior, apologizing, confessing the transgression, and recognizing how a relationship partner's standards and expectations differ from one's own. Inducing guilt also appears to be a costly but effective way of influencing the behavior of relationship partners. The results support the view of guilt as a mechanism that alters behavior in the service of maintaining good interpersonal relationships.

Jealousy: Theory, research, and clinical strategies

Article

Jan 1989

Providing an important advance, this groundbreaking volume is the first to offer a comprehensive review of modern research on romantic jealousy. It offers a conceptual framework for ordering past research, an up-to-date review of the literature from diverse sources and fields, and useful clinical strategies for practitioners and clinicians in training. This volume concentrates on romantic jealousy, which the authors define as neither an emotion, a state of mind, nor a way of behaving, but rather as a multisystem phenomenon involving personality, relationships, culture, and perhaps biology. The book opens by presenting a model of romantic jealousy that integrates research and clinical phenomena. It then offers analyses of several different perspectives including: sociobiological and personality approaches; ways in which relationship characteristics and dynamics contribute to jealousy; gender differences; and cultural and social factors that affect jealousy. Chapters on clinical concerns focus on violence, psychopathology, and the assessment and treatment of normal, reactive, and symptomatic jealousies. Specific strategies are provided with clinical, real-life, and cross-cultural case examples used throughout. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

Article

Jun 2007
J MARITAL FAM THER

The current investigation expands the focus of cognitive behavioral formulations of marriage by exploring the constructs of autonomy and relatendness in marriage. One hundred forty-one married couples matched to the 1990 U.S. census data on age, race, and income completed a number of self-report marital inventories including the Autonomy and Relatendness Inventory (Schaefer, Edgerton, & Burnett, 1991). Autonomy was measured by evaluating spouses' perceptions of the extent to which partners encouraged a sense of independence and individuality for the spouses. Relatedness was measured by evaluating spouses' perceptions of the amount of closeness that partners provided. It was found that autonomy and relatedness were significantly positively correlated with each other, as well as with marital adjustment for both males and females. It was found that for females, the provision of relatedness (as reported by their husbands) was significantly related to the standards that they held for the relationship. In addition, it was found that for females, the provision of relatedness (as reported by their husbands) was significantly related to the standards that husbands held for the relationship. However, no significant relationships were found between husbands' standards and relatedness (either as reported by wives or husbands). It was concluded that it is appropriate to help couples think of autonomy and relatedness as being tow important aspects of marriage that can exist together and are related to a satisfying marriage. Implications of the findings suggest that marital therapists could expand the conceptualization of marital therapy beyond being primarily relationship focused to include attention to individual needs of the spouses. Relatedness was measured by evaluating spouses' perception of the amount of closeness that partners privided. It was found that autonomy and relatedness were significantly positively correlated with each other as well as with marital adjustment for both males and females. It was found that for females, the prpvision of relatedness(as reported by their husbands) was significantly related to the srandards that they held for the relationship. In addition, it was found that for females, the provision of relatedness(as reported by their husbands)was significantly related to the standards that husbands held for the relatinship. How-ever, no significant relationships were found between husbands' standards and

Self-compassion, Achievement Goals, and Coping with Academic Failure

Article

Jul 2005

Two studies examined the relationship between self-compassion, academic achievement goals, and coping with perceived academic failure among undergraduates. Self-compassion entails being kind to oneself in instances of failure, perceiving one's experiences as part of the larger human experience, and holding painful feelings in mindful awareness. Study 1 (N = 222) found that self-compassion was positively associated with mastery goals and negatively associated with performance goals, a relationship that was mediated by the lesser fear of failure and greater perceived competence of self-compassionate individuals. Study 2 confirmed these findings among students who perceived their recent midterm grade as a failure (N = 110), with results also indicating that self-compassion was positively associated with emotion-focused coping strategies and negatively associated with avoidance-oriented strategies.

Is Loving the Self Necessary for Loving Another? An Examination of Identity and Intimacy

Chapter

Dec 2007

Why Popular Culture has it that Self-love Is a Prerequisite for Loving OthersDoes Loving the Self Promote Loving Others?Does Loving the Self Prompt Others to Love the Self?Does Loving Others Promote Self-love?Does Being Loved Lead to Self-love?Summary and Conclusion

Compassionate mind training for people with high shame and self-criticism: Overview and pilot study of a group therapy approach

Article

Nov 2006
CLIN PSYCHOL PSYCHOT

Compassionate mind training (CMT) was developed for people with high shame and self-criticism, whose problems tend to be chronic, and who find self-warmth and self-acceptance difficult and/or frightening. This paper offers a short overview of the role of shame and self-criticism in psychological difficulties, the importance of considering different types of affect system (activating versus soothing) and the theory and therapy process of CMT. The paper explores patient acceptability, understanding, abilities to utilize and practice compassion focused processes and the effectiveness of CMT from an uncontrolled trial. Six patients attending a cognitive–behavioural-based day centre for chronic difficulties completed 12 two-hour sessions in compassionate mind training. They were advised that this was part of a research programme to look at the process and effectiveness of CMT and to become active collaborators, advising the researchers on what was helpful and what was not. Results showed significant reductions in depression, anxiety, self-criticism, shame, inferiority and submissive behaviour. There was also a significant increase in the participants' ability to be self-soothing and focus on feelings of warmth and reassurance for the self. Compassionate mind training may be a useful addition for some patients with chronic difficulties, especially those from traumatic backgrounds, who may lack a sense of inner warmth or abilities to be self-soothing. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

On Becoming a Person

Article

Feb 1956

Carl R. Rogers

Exploring Self-Compassion and Empathy in the Context of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

Article

Dec 2010
STRESS HEALTH

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) programmes have demonstrated beneficial outcomes in a variety of populations. Self-compassion and empathy have theoretical connections to mindfulness, the key element of the MBSR programme; however, previous studies examining the programme's impact on self-compassion or empathy have demonstrated mixed results. This study examined the impact of MBSR on self-compassion and empathy, as well as on mindfulness, symptoms of stress, mood disturbance and spirituality in a community sample. Significant reductions in symptoms of stress and mood disturbance, as well as increases in mindfulness, spirituality and self-compassion were observed after programme participation. With regards to empathy, a significant increase was seen in perspective taking and a significant decrease in personal distress; no significant change was observed for empathic concern. Changes in self-compassion were predicted by changes in mindfulness. Self-compassion and aspects of empathy revealed strong associations with psychological functioning. Implications of MBSR as an intervention for enhancing self-compassion and empathy are discussed. Copyright

Interpersonal relatedness and self-definition: Two prototypes for depression

Article

Jan 1992
CLIN PSYCHOL REV

This paper reviews recent research that indicates the importance of differentiating subtypes of depression based on two types of experiences that lead individuals to become depressed: (a) disruptions of interpersonal relations and (b) threats to self-integrity and self-esteem. We review research with clinical and nonclinical samples that investigated the relationships of these distinctions to the quality of current interpersonal relationships and to differential sensitivity to various types of stressful life events, as well as to aspects of early life experiences, especially the quality of the parent-child relationship. We also evaluate research evidence that considers the role of these two dimensions in clinical depression. In addition to proposing an etiologic model about aspects of the onset and recurrence of depression based on the interaction between personality predispositions and types of stressful life events, we place these observations about depression in a broad theoretical context of contemporary personality theory which defines two primary dimensions of personality development and psychopathology.

The Role of Self-compassion in Romantic Relationships

Abstract

No full-text available

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