What matters most? Age and gender differences in self-compassion and body attitudes among college students

Short-video platform use and adolescent body dissatisfaction: The mediating role of body image comparison and the moderating role of sex

With the rising popularity of short-video platforms as a new form of media, an increasing number of adolescents are using these platforms. Unlike traditional social media, short-video platforms rely heavily on visual communication. Although social media is known to contribute to heightened body dissatisfaction, and while these highly visual media platforms may further exacerbate body dissatisfaction, particularly among adolescents, empirical research on this issue has not kept pace with their rapid adoption. Given the importance of body awareness in adolescent development, this study investigated the mechanisms underlying the relationship between short-video platform use and body dissatisfaction among adolescents. It also examined the moderating effect of sex in this relationship. A total of 795 adolescents (mean age = 14.66 ± 1.39 years, 451 girls) from China participated in a questionnaire survey. The findings revealed that (1) there was a significant positive correlation between short-video platform use, body image comparison, and body dissatisfaction; (2) body image comparison mediated the relationship between short-video platform use and body dissatisfaction; and (3) the mediating effect of body image comparison was moderated by sex, with the effect being more pronounced for girls than for boys. These findings not only contribute to existing theoretical frameworks but also provide empirical insights to support interventions aimed at improving body satisfaction among adolescents.

Validation of the Santa Clara Ethics Scale (SCES) in Nursing Students: The Role of Ethics as a Protector of Student Compassion

BACKGROUND

Ethics is one of the essential concepts associated with professional nursing practice, and can play a part in the development of compassion. Although a number of instruments have been developed for the measurement of ethics, most are context-specific or excessively lengthy. The Santa Clara Ethics Scale (SCES) overcomes these problems. The goal is to translate, adapt, and validate the Spanish version of the Santa Clara Ethics Scale and to study the role of ethics, as a moral resource, in the prediction of the levels of compassion of nursing students.

METHODS

This study is a translation, adaptation, and validation study, with a cross-sectional design. A total of 924 Spanish nursing students participated in this study. Ethics and compassion for others were measured. Analyses included a confirmatory factor analysis, reliability estimates, and a structural equation model in which ethics explained the five correlated dimensions of compassion for others.

RESULTS

The confirmatory factor analysis had an adequate fit: χ2(35) = 173.56 (p < 0.01), CFI = 0.94, TLI = 0.92, RMSEA = 0.07 [90% CI = 0.06, 0.08], and SRMR = 0.05. Internal consistency was adequate (α = 0.74; ω = 0.83). The predictive model pointed to positive and statistically significant relationships between ethics and all dimensions of compassion for others.

CONCLUSIONS

The SCES can be considered a suitable instrument for the assessment of ethics in the Spanish nursing population and, thus, can be used as a tool for the measurement of key ethical competencies during the nursing degree. Moreover, the development of ethics is likely to improve the compassion levels of students. Ethics is, then, a key internal resource for both nursing students' compassionate care skills and, consequently, must be taken into account when redefining nursing students' curricula.

Self-compassion and grit mediated the relation between mindfulness and mind wandering based on cross-sectional survey data

Previous research suggests that mindfulness and mind wandering are opposing constructs. However, little is known about why and how they are negatively related. Through a process-oriented approach, this cross-sectional study tested self-compassion and grit as mediators for the relation between mindfulness and mind wandering. A total of 487 self-identified meditators were recruited from the UK (241 female, 49.49%). Participants reported a mean age of 38.98 years (SD = 10.03), with an average of 2.26 h of meditation practice per week (SD = 4.47). Upon informed consent, the participants completed a self-report questionnaire that assessed the core variables under study. Path analysis indicated that mindfulness was related to self-compassion. Greater self-compassion was, in turn, related to greater grit, which was then related to lower mind wandering. Bootstrapping analysis further indicated that self-compassion and grit as mediators between mindfulness and mind wandering, above and beyond age, gender, hours of meditation, income, and education as covariates. The cross-sectional findings provided initial evidence of mediation by showing that mindfulness and mind wandering were related through self-compassion and grit.

Stimulating appearance comparison dynamics and their effects on psychological dysfunctions: The moderating role of self-compassion

In recent decades, attitudes towards appearance comparison, and self-disapproval have rapidly increased, and these are attitudes strongly associated with psychological disorders. The present study aims to investigate the underlying patterns of depression, appearance-based stress, dietary constraints, and social and celebrity appearance comparison among young adults. It also examines the role of self-compassion in moderating the relationship between psychological dysfunctions and appearance comparison as well as the criteria and influences contributing to appearance comparison. Data on BMI, the measures of depression, appearance-based stress, eating restraints, appearance comparison, self-compassion, and predictors of peers and celebrity appearance comparison were collected from 434 college students (Age: Mean = 22; SD = 2.36; Male = Female = 217) in Sialkot, Pakistan. The data was analyzed by using the Hierarchical Regression Model. The results revealed that respondents who compared their appearances to peers and celebrities had increased depression and appearance-based stress while eating constraints didn't affect the appearance-based comparison, stress, and depression. Moreover, self-compassion significantly moderated the relationship between depression, appearance-based stress, and appearance comparison whereas an insignificant moderation effect is observed between eating restraints and self-compassion. Despite psychological distresses such as depression, appearance-based stress, and eating restraints, appearance comparisons are connected to appearance-based victimization, media appearance pressure, social-cultural appearance pressure, appearance conversation, and self-consciousness.

Understanding the Relationship Between the Multidimensional Perfectionism and Self-Compassion in Adults: The Effect of Age

Literature suggests that perfectionism is associated to self-compassion. However, the multiple relationships between the types of perfectionism (adaptive, maladaptive and non-perfectionists) and the multidimensional construct of self-compassion have not been thoroughly examined. To this end, the present study aimed (a) to examine the relationships between the types of perfectionism and the self-compassion components in an adult sample and (b) to check the effect of age on the relationship between the perfectionistic types and the self-compassion components. Participants were 509 adults aged 18 to 65 years. Self-report questionnaires were used to collect the data. Results indicated that High Standards positively predicted all self-compassion components while Discrepancy positively predicted Self-judgment and Isolation and overidentification and negatively predicted Self-Kindness and mindfulness and Common humanity. In addition, it was found that adaptive perfectionists and non-perfectionists reported higher levels on the positive components of self-compassion and lower levels on its negative components, compared to maladaptive perfectionists. With respect to age, participants in established (30-45 years) and middle (46-65 years) adulthood reported higher levels on the positive self-compassion components and lower levels on its negative components compared to young adults (18-29 years), while participants in emerging adulthood scored higher on both the dimensions of perfectionism (adaptive and maladaptive) compared to participants in established and middle adulthood. Finally, age moderated only the relationship between adaptive perfectionism and Isolation and overidentification. Future directions and implications are being discussed.

The Role of Self-Compassion and Attributions in the Mental Health of Older Adolescents amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study aimed to examine the relationship among self-compassion, attributional styles, and mental health and their components in older adolescents in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The role of each component of self-compassion (self-kindness, common humanity, mindfulness, self-judgment, isolation, and over-identification) and attributions (globality, stability, self-worth, and negative consequences) in predicting mental health was also analyzed. There were 322 participants aged 18 to 22 that participated in an online survey. The participants filled out a form that consisted of sociodemographic questions, COVID-19-related questions, the Self-Compassion Scale, the Mental Health Continuum-short form-and the Cognitive Styles Questionnaire-very short form. The results indicated moderate levels of self-compassion, attributions, and mental health in participants. Furthermore, gender differences in self-compassion were confirmed, meaning that male participants had higher total levels of self-compassion, and certain differences were observed on attribution subscales, but not on well-being subscales. Self-compassion and mental health were found to be positively correlated with each other and negatively correlated with negative attributions. Of the four attributional components, stability and negative consequences were revealed to be significant negative predictors in the first step but lost their significance with the inclusion of self-compassion components in the second step of the analysis. Regarding the six components of self-compassion, self-kindness, recoded isolation, and common humanity were significant positive predictors in the second step of the analysis. COVID-19-related items did not show any significant intergroup differences. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between positive mental health, self-compassion, and attributions in older adolescents so that they can be used as theoretical support for related interventions, especially during and after times of crisis, such as a pandemic.

Heartfulness in Vegans, Vegetarians, and Omnivores

BACKGROUND

The primary goal of this study was to investigate the relation between the choice of a vegan or vegetarian diet as a criterion of sustainability and the aspect of heartfulness. We also analyzed which demographic, diet-related, and mindfulness practice-related variables could predict the different facets of heartfulness.

METHODS

In total, 419 persons participated. After providing demographic, diet-related, and mindfulness practice-related information, participants completed a gratitude questionnaire, a self-compassion scale, a compassion scale, and an equanimity scale.

RESULTS

The results show that vegans and vegetarians indicated higher scores than omnivores in some aspects of heartfulness, such as both self-compassion scales. These effects could not be shown for the two equanimity scales and for the gratitude questionnaire. Most aspects of heartfulness could either be predicted by demographic or diet-related variables. The best predictors of the elements of heartfulness were the ecological, ethical, or health-related reasons for choosing their diet stated by the participants, as well as the importance the participants attached to nutrition.

CONCLUSION

This study provides evidence that vegans and vegetarians scored higher in several aspects of heartfulness. Vegans tended to score even higher than vegetarians. Both demographic and diet-related variables could predict heartfulness.

Is a female physical empowerment campaign effective in improving positive body image, motivation for physical activity, and physical activity behavior in young female adults? A two-study experimental test of "This Girl Can"

This Girl Can is a campaign designed to empower women to increase physical activity. The campaign uses images/videos of women of diverse body weights/shapes, ages and ethnicities being physically active, emphasizing body functionality. First, we examined the effects of multi-session (N = 3) exposures to This Girl Can on body functionality, body appreciation and self-compassion (Study 1). Second, we explored if autonomous motivation for physical activity mediated effects of This Girl Can on physical activity (Study 2). Women (Study 1: N = 186, M (SD) age = 27.55 (14.01); Study 2: N = 153, M (SD) age = 28.31 (11.70)) were randomized to This Girl Can, or control videos/images depicting idealized women of thin/athletic body types being physically active (Study 1), or control videos highlighting physical activity benefits (Study 2). Outcomes were measured at baseline, post-test and 1-week follow-up. Study 1 results showed significant group by time interactions for body functionality (decreasing in the control group), body appreciation and self-compassion (both increased only in the experimental conditions). In Study 2, path analysis revealed no statistically significant mediation effect (ab = 13.18, 95 % CI [-107.92, 152.59]) of autonomous motivation. Future interventions designed to promote positive body image and self-compassion should incorporate media focusing on diverse women engaging in self-chosen physical activity.

An international cross-sectional investigation on social media, fitspiration content exposure, and related risks during the COVID-19 self-isolation period

With the global COVID-19 pandemic, governments from many countries in the world implemented various restrictions to prevent the SARS-Cov-2 virus's spread, including social distancing measures, quarantine, in-home lockdown, and the closure of services and public spaces. This led to an in-creased use of social media platforms to make people feel more connected, but also to maintain physical activity while self-isolating. Concerns about physical appearance and the desire to keep or reach a muscular and toned ideal body, might have further reinforced the engagement in fitness-related social media activities, like sharing progresses in training achievements or following more fitness contents on popular profiles. To better understand the underlying relation among these factors, the present study investigates 729 responses to the Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI), the Appearance Anxiety Inventory (AAI), the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) and their association to social media usage and compares the results cross-culturally in five countries (Spain, Lithuania, United Kingdom, Japan, and Hungary). Findings highlight significant differences between males and females, espe-cially in regard to the time spent online (U = 477.5, p = 0.036). Greater levels of appearance anxiety were associated with the exposure to fitness-related contents on social media. These results strongly confirm the previously highlighted association between fitspiration media and body image anxiety predominantly in females. Clinical implications and future considerations in terms of prevention and treatment in a situation of global emergency are also discussed.