The influence of self-compassion on emotional well-being among early and older adolescent males and females

Abstract

Self-compassion has been associated with well-being in adult samples, but has rarely been assessed in adolescents. In this study, 90 students ages 11–18 completed an online survey assessing self-compassion, life satisfaction, perceived stress and positive and negative affect. Findings indicated that older female adolescents had lower self-compassion than either older male adolescents or early adolescents of either gender, and self-compassion was associated significantly with all dimensions of emotional well-being with the exception of positive affect. Additionally, phase of adolescence, but not gender, was found to moderate the relationship between self-compassion and dimensions of well-being; for older adolescents, the inverse relationship between self-compassion and negative affect was stronger. Lastly, the influence of the various components of self-compassion was investigated and discussed.

The Protective Role of Self-Compassion on Risk Factors for Non-suicidal Self-Injury in Adolescence

“…Thus, it is expected that female adolescents are less likely to be kind and self-compassionate in comparison with male adolescents. This trend is similar to that recently found by Bluth and Blanton (2015) and by Cunha and colleagues (2016). Other studies also found sex differences in NSSI, with female adolescents reporting more NSSI (e.g., Hawton et al, 2012;Xavier et al, 2015) Results from correlation analysis showed that daily disruptions with peers were associated with depressive symptoms and NSSI, even when sex was controlled.…”

Understanding self-compassion in adolescents: Validation study of the Self-Compassion Scale

“…Since the high correlation between age and grade in this age group, it is also expected no association between grade and selfcompassion. In contrast, a recent study conducted by Bluth and Blanton (2015) among adolescents aged 11 to 18 years showed that older female adolescents reported lower levels of self-compassion (specifically higher scores on negative valence dimensions) than either older male adolescents or early adolescents of either gender.…”

“…Interestingly, self-kindness is significantly and negatively associated with psychopathological symptoms, with a low magnitude, which may be due to the large Running head: Self-compassion in adolescence 14 sample size. Moreover, in previous studies the positive valence components have shown weaker correlations with psychopathological symptoms than the negative valence components (e.g., Bluth & Blanton, 2015;Castilho et al, 2015). Surprisingly, common humanity was not correlated with isolation, over-identification and psychopathological symptoms.…”

“…Overall, these findings point out that self-compassion is associated with positive psychological indicators (e.g., early memories of warmth and Running head: Self-compassion in adolescence 3 safeness, secure attachment, mindfulness, mental health, life satisfaction, emotional well-being; Cunha, Martinho, Xavier, & Espírito-Santo, 2013;Bluth & Blanton, 2014;Marshall, Parker, Ciarrochi, Sahdra, Jackson, & Heaven, 2015;Neff & McGehee, 2010). Inversely association patterns between self-compassion and maladaptive outcomes were found (e.g., negative affect, aggression, trauma-related symptoms, depression, anxiety; Barry, Loflin, & Douvette, 2015;Bluth & Blanton, 2015;Tanaka, Wekerle, Shmuck, & Paglia-Boak, 2011;Vettese, Dyer, Li, & Wekerle, 2011;Zeller, Yuval, Nitzan-Assayag, & Bernstein, 2014).…”

Predicting General Well-Being Based on Resiliency Protective Factors and Demographics in Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Emotional Stability

“…In addition, well-being is a subjective experience including emotional and cognitive dimensions, which are achieved as a result of evaluation of multiple aspects of life (10). Adolescent GWB, as a global concept, includes the ability to acquire values, knowledge, skills, experience, interpersonal relationships, and access to fundamental services that enable an adolescent to participate in the community and affairs, avoid risky behaviors, earn income, and stay healthy (11,12). Multiple factors affect the well-being of adolescents (13,14).…”