1
|
García-Campayo J, Barceló-Soler A, Martínez-Rubio D, Navarrete J, Pérez-Aranda A, Feliu-Soler A, Luciano JV, Baer R, Kuyken W, Montero-Marin J. Exploring the Relationship Between Self-Compassion and Compassion for Others: The Role of Psychological Distress and Wellbeing. Assessment 2024; 31:1038-1051. [PMID: 37840255 PMCID: PMC11134997 DOI: 10.1177/10731911231203966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
We addressed construct validity and explored the relationship between self-compassion and compassion for others using the two main current operationalizations of compassion (Neff's and the Sussex-Oxford Compassion Scales, SOCSs). Relationships with psychological distress and wellbeing, and potential differences in the association between self-compassion and compassion for others by level of psychological distress and wellbeing were also explored. Participants (n = 811) completed the Spanish adaptations of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), the Compassion Scale (CS), the SOCSs (for the self/others), the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (SWEMWBS), and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21). We fitted bifactor models to estimate the general factor of each construct for the different operationalizations, and calculated correlations between them. Relationships between self-compassion and compassion for others from the same operationalization were intermediate, while those between the same constructs from different operationalizations were large. Both constructs showed positive associations with wellbeing, while only self-compassion was associated with decreased psychological distress. Participants with good mental health showed higher associations between self-compassion and compassion for others than those with poorer mental health. Self-compassion and compassion for others appear to be dimensional constructs that can converge or diverge. When they converge, it is associated with better mental health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Javier García-Campayo
- Institute for Health Research of Aragon (IIS Aragon), Zaragoza, Spain
- University of Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Alberto Barceló-Soler
- Institute for Health Research of Aragon (IIS Aragon), Zaragoza, Spain
- University of Zaragoza, Spain
- Navarra Medical Research Institute (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - Jaime Navarrete
- Teaching, Research & Innovation Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health—CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Adrián Pérez-Aranda
- Institute for Health Research of Aragon (IIS Aragon), Zaragoza, Spain
- Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Feliu-Soler
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health—CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan V. Luciano
- Teaching, Research & Innovation Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health—CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Jesus Montero-Marin
- Teaching, Research & Innovation Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health—CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- University of Oxford, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tendhar T, Marcotte MA, Bueno de Mesquita P, Saikia MJ. Online Video-Mediated Compassion Training Program for Mental Health and Well-Being of University Students. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:1033. [PMID: 38786443 PMCID: PMC11120825 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12101033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
College students experiencing psychological distress have significantly greater negative emotions than students who practice compassionate thinking. We have developed Eight Steps to Great Compassion (ESGC), an innovative brief and no-cost online video training program about how to increase compassion among busy and young adult university students. To examine the effectiveness and benefits of the ESGC, a single-group pre-test-post-test quantitative design with undergraduate university students (N = 92; Mage = 20.39) evaluated its effects. The results from the post-test showed that the ESGC had a significant positive impact on increased feelings of compassion towards oneself, compassion for others, and the sense of personal well-being from the pre-test. The analysis of the PERMA-Profiler subscales also reflected a statistically significant increase in overall well-being and health and a decrease in negative emotions and loneliness. From the Post-Survey Lesson Feedback, 88% of the participants reported significant positive changes in themselves and the way that they live due to the program. These findings appear to show important implications for improving healthy minds and reducing negative emotions among university students.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thupten Tendhar
- Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA; (T.T.)
| | | | - Paul Bueno de Mesquita
- Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA; (T.T.)
| | - Manob Jyoti Saikia
- Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ma J, Xiao Q. Relationship Between Self-Compassion and Compassion for Others: The Mediated Effect of Perceived Social Support and Psychological Resilience. Psychol Rep 2024:332941241226906. [PMID: 38214161 DOI: 10.1177/00332941241226906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Studies from individualistic cultural contexts have shown there were no or negative significant correlation between self-compassion and compassion (for others). However, there may be a closer association between them in a collectivism and Buddhism culture. This study randomly selected 441 college students in China and used measures of self-compassion, trait compassion (compassion for others), psychological resilience, and perceiving social support to investigate this relationship. The results showed a moderately positive correlation between self-compassion and compassion. Further chain-mediation analyses revealed that self-compassion not only directly predicted compassion for others but also indirectly influenced it through the mediating effects of perceiving social support and psychological resilience. The results of this study suggest that the quality of compassion may be significantly influenced by culture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jialan Ma
- Department of Psychology, Inner Mongolia Normal University, Huhehaote, China
| | - Qianguo Xiao
- Research center of Humanities and Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Buenconsejo JU, Fincham FD, Datu JAD. The perks of being grateful to partners: Expressing gratitude in relationships predicts relational self-efficacy and life satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic. Appl Psychol Health Well Being 2023; 15:1472-1489. [PMID: 37195635 DOI: 10.1111/aphw.12447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Being grateful to one's partner matters for a diverse range of interpersonal and individual well-being outcomes. However, there is little investigation on the psychological benefits of expressing gratitude to partners during the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Using a short-term longitudinal design, this study of undergraduate students (Mage = 20.31; SDage = 1.81; n = 268) in the United States explores the link between expressing gratitude in romantic relationships, subsequent relationship self-efficacy, life satisfaction, psychological well-being, and the COVID-19 anxiety. Results demonstrated that expressing gratitude in relationships positively predicted subsequent relationship self-efficacy and life satisfaction even after controlling for age, gender, ethnic background, trait gratitude, and auto-regressor effects. These findings show that relational gratitude had incremental validity in predicting relational self-efficacy and subjective well-being above and beyond the effects of demographic factors and dispositional gratitude. This research emphasizes the psychological payoffs of cultivating gratitude in relational contexts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jet U Buenconsejo
- Department of Special Education and Counselling, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Frank D Fincham
- FSU Family Institute, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Jesus Alfonso D Datu
- Department of Special Education and Counselling, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| |
Collapse
|