Does Self-Compassion Facilitate Resilience to Stigma? A School-Based Study of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth

Vigna, Abra J.; Poehlmann, Julie; Koenig, Brian W.

doi:10.1007/s12671-017-0831-x

Cited by 61 publications

(42 citation statements)

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“…Neff (2003) defines self-compassion as encompassing three elements: self-kindness [i.e., “extending kindness and understanding to oneself rather than harsh judgment and self-criticism” (p. 89)], common humanity [i.e., “seeing one's experiences as part of the larger human experience rather than seeing them as separating and isolating” (p. 89)], and mindfulness [i.e., “holding one's painful thoughts and feelings in balanced awareness rather than over-identifying with them” (p. 89)]. Previous research has found that self-compassion mediates the association between bias-based bullying and mental health symptoms in sexual minority youth (Vigna et al, 2017) and self-compassion is positively related to well-being in gay men and TGNC adults (Beard et al, 2017; Keng and Liew, 2017). More broadly, self-compassion appears to serve as a protective factor in mental health outcomes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eating Disorder Symptoms and Proneness in Gay Men, Lesbian Women, and Transgender and Gender Non-conforming Adults: Comparative Levels and a Proposed Mediational Model

2019

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In this study we sought to compare eating disorder attitudes and behaviors, and proneness to an eating disorder (“ED proneness”), between gay men, lesbian women, and transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) adults. A further aim was to identify and compare risk and protective factors, and examine a mediational model based on the interpersonal theory of eating disorders (IPT-ED), whereby the association between interpersonal factors and ED proneness would be mediated by psychological constructs pertaining to the self and negative affect. Data was obtained from a larger national study of health risk and protective factors among sexual minority and gender diverse populations. The sample included 97 gay men, 82 lesbian women, and 138 TGNC adults. Participants completed the National College Health Assessment, Eating Disorders Screen for Primary Care, Patient Health Questionnaire Depression scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 scale, Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form, Negative Social Exchange subscale of the Multidimensional Health Profile, Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire, and Perceived Stigma Scale. There was a significant difference between groups in ED proneness, with lesbian women (66.7%) having a significantly higher percentage than gay men (47.6%). There was also a significant difference between groups in weight-based self-worth, with the lowest percentage in gay men (63%) and the highest percentage in lesbian women (82%), as well as dissatisfaction with eating patterns, with the highest percentage in TGNC adults (69.8%) and the lowest percentage in gay men (47.7%). There was a low percentage of inappropriate compensatory behaviors, with no significant difference between groups. Logistic regression analyses showed that the predictor variables of ED proneness were depression, perceived stigma, and self-compassion in gay men; depression in lesbian women; and self-compassion in the TGNC adults. Mediation analyses showed that thwarted belongingness (i.e., an unmet to belong) and perceived stigma had an indirect association with ED proneness that was mediated by self-compassion and depression (for perceived stigma alone) in gay men, depression in lesbian women, and self-compassion in TGNC adults. The interpersonal theory of eating disorders therefore extends to sexual minority and gender diverse populations; however, the results suggest a broadening of theoretical models and intervention programs to include the role of stigma and self-compassion.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eating Disorder Symptoms and Proneness in Gay Men, Lesbian Women, and Transgender and Gender Non-conforming Adults: Comparative Levels and a Proposed Mediational Model

2019

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“…Additionally, the results of the mediation analysis may also be an indicator that people with ADHD may benefit from developing greater resilience to the high levels of criticism they receive. Self-compassion has been found to serve as a coping strategy in the face of rejection, providing enhanced resilience to criticism and rejection from others (Neff et al 2005;Neff and McGehee 2010;Vigna et al 2018;Wong et al 2016). Consequently, as people with ADHD experience more hardship and criticism than the average person (Kessler et al 2006;Paulson and Buermeyer 2005), they may profit more than those without ADHD from developing higher levels of self-compassion to cope with these challenges.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Self-compassion is a positive way to relate to the self, which adds resilience against failure and criticism from others (Neff et al 2005;Vigna et al 2018), and protects against negative self-evaluations (Neff and McGehee 2010). Neff's (2003aNeff's ( , 2003b model of self-compassion is composed of three interrelated components: (a) self-kindness versus selfjudgement-the tendency to be understanding and warm towards the self rather than take a judgemental and hostile attitude towards one's difficult experience; (b) common humanity versus isolation-the recognition that failure and suffering are all part of the human experience, and not something unique to the individual; (c) mindfulness versus over-identification-the ability to have an awareness of the experience as is, without over identifying and applying it globally.…”

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confidence: 99%

Self-compassion and Perceived Criticism in Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

2020

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Objectives Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with increased criticism from others. To date, there is little research considering the consequences of how others respond to people with ADHD. Self-compassion is a positive way of relating to oneself during difficulty. Here, we investigate whether levels of self-compassion differ between people with and without ADHD, and whether perceived criticism mediates any differences in self-compassion between people with and without ADHD. Methods A cross-sectional design was used to conduct natural group comparisons. A sample of 1203 adults (46% with a self-reported ADHD diagnosis) recruited via social media, online forums and posters completed online self-report measures of diagnostic status, ADHD traits, self-compassion and perceived criticism. Between-group comparisons of self-compassion and perceived criticism were conducted on participants grouped by diagnosis, then grouped by ADHD trait severity. Perceived criticism was tested as a mediator variable between ADHD diagnosis and self-compassion. Results Adults with an ADHD diagnosis showed significantly lower self-compassion and higher perceived criticism than the participants without ADHD. Participants high in ADHD traits but without a diagnosis had significantly similar levels of self-compassion to the diagnosed group. Mediation analysis found that higher perceived criticism partially explained the relationship between ADHD diagnosis and self-compassion, even after accounting for co-occurring mood disorder diagnosis. Conclusions Adults with ADHD are less self-compassionate than adults without ADHD. This is partially explained by the higher level of criticism they perceive from others.

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“…59 Additional individual-level factors. The working group also identified nascent work on other individual-level factors that may increase the ability of LGBTQ students to thrive in school: individual characteristics such as outness, 36 selfcompassion, 37 and self-advocacy, 23,38 as well as feelings of safety and inclusivity. 27,34 A summary of what the working group identified as being currently known about these factors and suggested research questions are presented in Table 1.…”

Section: Presence Of Anti-bullying Policies Is Linkedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strengthening Our Schools to Promote Resilience and Health Among LGBTQ Youth: Emerging Evidence and Research Priorities fromThe State of LGBTQ Youth Health and WellbeingSymposium

et al. 2019

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Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) adolescents face well-documented health disparities in suicide risk, substance use, and sexual health. These disparities are known to stem, in part, from stigma directed toward LGBTQ youth in the form of minority stressors such as violence, discrimination, and harassment. Given the proportion of time that LGBTQ students spend in school, schools provide a critical context within which protective factors may be developed and leveraged to improve the health and wellbeing of these populations. This article provides a summary of key findings from a discussion among researchers, practitioners, and community members who participated in ''The State of LGBTQ Youth Health and Wellbeing: Strengthening Schools and Families to Build Resilience,'' a public symposium held in June 2017. We detail emerging science on and future priorities for school-based research with LGBTQ youth which were identified by attendees at this meeting, with a particular focus on intersectionality, supportive adults in schools, and in-school programs. We call for more school-based research on priority gaps such as how LGBTQ students' intersecting identities affect their in-school experiences, how to design professional development programs that cultivate supportive educators, and how to leverage gay-straight alliances/gender and sexuality alliances as sites of health programming for LGBTQ students.

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Does Self-Compassion Facilitate Resilience to Stigma? A School-Based Study of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth

Cited by 61 publications

References 50 publications

Eating Disorder Symptoms and Proneness in Gay Men, Lesbian Women, and Transgender and Gender Non-conforming Adults: Comparative Levels and a Proposed Mediational Model

Eating Disorder Symptoms and Proneness in Gay Men, Lesbian Women, and Transgender and Gender Non-conforming Adults: Comparative Levels and a Proposed Mediational Model

Self-compassion and Perceived Criticism in Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Strengthening Our Schools to Promote Resilience and Health Among LGBTQ Youth: Emerging Evidence and Research Priorities fromThe State of LGBTQ Youth Health and WellbeingSymposium

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