Self-Compassion in Adolescents and Young Adults With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Relationship of Self-Compassion to Psychosocial and Physical Outcomes

Abstract

Background Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at an increased risk for poor physical and mental health due to the complexity of pediatric onset IBD and the unique developmental challenges of this period of life. Self-compassion is increasingly recognized as having an important role in explaining health outcomes and well-being across a range of populations. This study examines the relationship between self-compassion and psychosocial and physical health outcomes in AYAs with IBD. Methods In this cross-sectional study, AYAs with IBD aged 15 to 25 years completed an online survey between February 2020 and October 2021. Questionnaires included the Self-Compassion Scale—Short Form, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) measures for psychosocial, physical and global health outcomes, and IBD disease activity indices. Results AYAs with higher levels of self-compassion were found to have better psychosocial (ie, anxiety, depressive symptoms, psychological stress, physical stress, peer relationships), physical (ie, fatigue), and global health outcomes. Self-compassion was a significant independent predictor of anxiety (β = −5.80, P = < .001), depressive symptoms (β = −7.09, P = < .001), psychological stress (β = −4.66, P = < .001), physical stress (β = −3.19, P = < .001), peer relationships (β = 3.39, P = .003), fatigue (β = −2.05, P = .019), and improved global health (β = 5.15, P = < .001). Conclusions This study offers preliminary support for the importance of self-compassion in AYAs with IBD and demonstrates the need for further research in this area.