Gender and Students' Self-Compassion Level

Abstract

___________________________________________________________________It is believed that self-compassion is an essential component for any human being to survive in their environment. Self-compassion is the ability to entertain and care for oneself in suffering, failure, and imperfection rather than taking part in self-criticism. This research attempts to find out the level of self-compassion in vocational higher education students and to explore the differences in terms of self-compassion between male and female students. Employing Neff's Self-Compassion Scale (short form) measurement tool, this study was conducted through a descriptive survey technique. The results show that female students had a slightly higher level of self-compassion than males. Regarding the significant elements of self-compassion, which are selfkindness, common humanity, and mindfulness, it was found that there are differences in the dominant component of self-compassion between male and female students. This finding shows that female students were dominated by self-kindness rather than mindfulness and common humanity. It can be said that female students have a more dominant ability to understand and accept themselves as well as to give tenderness. It was also found that male students were dominated by common humanity rather than mindfulness and selfkindness. Male students have a more dominant ability to perceive difficulties and problems which are part of human life, and these are things that everyone experiences and they always realize that they do not experience it by themselves. Based on the results of the study, it is expected that appropriate mechanisms should be formulated to improve the students' self-compassion at all levels. It could be done by providing the educational environment that can encourage the students to accept who they are, to express gratitude, and to be mindful.

Self-Compassion and Psychological Wellbeing Among Patients With Hepatitis-C: Social Support as Moderator

“…Muris et al (2016) reported nonsignificant gender differences in selfcompassion. Ariyani and Hadiani (2019) illustrates that females are dominant in practicing self-kindness rather than common humanity and mindfulness. Female students seem to have more ability to comprehend and accept themselves.…”